Open House: What steps should be taken to prevent the spread of omicron? – The Tribune India
Chalk out strategy to curb spread
The third wave in the form of Omicron seems to have arrived in the country. Although majority of our population is vaccinated still we need to be careful. There are apprehensions about the Omicron strain because countries have suffered a lot due to second wave. Strategies to curb down the spread and to screen must started at grassroots to tertiary care hospitals. There must be screenings tests, furthermore there must be vaccine passports for entry into any indoor space where others gather such as places of worship and public transport. Though vaccines dont guarantee the safety but it reduces transmission modestly. There must be arrangements in advance for extra supplies of medicines, extra health care workers i.e. doctors, nurses and paramedic staffs. The respective governments must remember A stitch in time saves nine.
Sparsh Athwal
Ban all sorts of rallies, roadshow
In case of threat of any pandemic, local administration or general public cant do anything at their own level; they are simply to follow the instructions issued by central or state governments. Therefore, it is for central and state governments to take effective steps in view of the impending threat of Omicron in the early 2022. First of all, the Election Commission of India should issue strict instructions to ban all sorts of rallies and road shows during the election campaign in the forthcoming state assembly elections in five states in the early 2022. Election campaigning should be strictly confined through door-to-door canvassing, hoarding, banners, nukkad meetings and electronic media. Secondly, all genuine demands of government or private sector employees should be attended to on priority basis so that they dont assemble and agitate thereby create a situation for spread of pandemic. It should not be like recently concluded farmers agitation where central government took more than one year to accept their demand thereby compelled them to gather at Delhi border for such a long time. Thirdly, it should be made mandatory to attach copy of corona vaccination certificate with IT return, GST return etc.
Naresh Johar
Prevention is better than cure
When we say prevention is better than cure than the immediate solution for this deadly virus comes to mind is vaccination. The central and state governments have taken all effective steps to vaccinate the general public but public response in this regard is very poor. If we take example of Amritsar, total population of 18+ is 15,20,000. Out of this only 6,72,821 individuals got double dose vaccination till December 12 which comes out to be 44.26 per cent of total adult population. This gives a very poor reflection of our participation to effectively control the spread of this deadly disease. So the only solution to this problem is to completely vaccinate the whole population and then take a further step for a booster dose because this virus is going to stay for a longer time.
Nityanshi Chopra
Get fully vaccinated at the earliest
With the passage of time we have become complacent about the danger of Covid. The threat of Omicron is looming large on our heads, so we must take prompt and effective steps to at least fully vaccinate ourselves. On December 12, only 2,260 turned up for vaccination in Amritsar whereas over 8 lakh people of 18+ group are yet to take the second doze. Such a poor response for vaccination reminds us of horrifying days of Covid second wave. To avoid such repetition people of the city should come forward and get vaccinated at the earliest.
Harsh Johar
Ramp up heath infrastructure
According to WHO, Omicron reduces vaccine efficacy and spreads faster than the Delta variant. Do we have a reason, other than a wishful optimism, to take casually the views of the experts regarding the possibility of the third Covid wave hitting our country by early 2022? Learning from the horrible lessons of the first and second waves we must not lower our guard. Discarding masks and ignoring social distancing could be disastrous. People should voluntarily adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour. If not, the administration should enforce it. Vaccination must pick up pace despite the reports of even fully-vaccinated persons contacting Omicron. If a booster dose is decided by the concerned authorities there should be no delay in giving to all who are eligible. Despite the worlds strictest and most sudden lockdown, India could not be saved from the disastrous spread of the first Covid wave because international flights were not stopped in time. Even now we are found wanting. Even flights from African countries have not been stopped. Perhaps we dont believe that a stitch in time saves nine. A few deterrent steps could spare us from bringing the entire country and its economy to a grinding halt. How can our memory be that short? Certainly, none would want to go back to the days of helpless migrants on the roads, choked hospitals, crowded cremation grounds and crying demand for ventilators and oxygen. The public healthcare system is still in bad shape. Even a recurring scourge of dengue is not properly taken care of. The governments, rather than criticising private hospitals for exploiting the patients, must ensure an adequate number of well-equipped government hospitals/dispensaries to cater to the needs of the people.
HL Sharma
Vaccination should be the top priority
In view of the possibility of the third wave onslaught in the next year, the government and administration has to be well-prepared to face any surge in cases of Omicron. The INSACOG, an India Genomics Consortium conducting sequencing has rightly recommended a booster dose for those over 40, first targeting high-risk and high-exposure individuals against Omicron. The advice needs to be heeded by the government and there shouldnt be any vaccine supply problem. Obviously, jabbing the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated is the highest priority. Given, Indias production capacity, completing double-dosing of adults and giving booster shots can happen simultaneously. The science of boosters is clear, every country that has mandated boosters has done so on the basis of scientific advice and in each of those countries the arrival of Omicron has heightened the urgency. The same urgency should be shown by our government too. Since we have the infrastructure to produce adequate supplies, there shouldnt be any delay in giving booster shots against Omicron to boost immunity. But the most effective and well tested and tried precaution against any variant like Omicron is the usage of mask, especially in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, which will provide fertile conditions for crowding. While vaccination has been proven to reduce disease severity, there is no viable method other than masking to curb breakthrough infections. We need to model our Covid-appropriate behaviour on East Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea where over 90 per cent citizens adhere to masking norms. State government can seriously think of levying fines and filing cases under Section 188 of the IPC against unmasked persons. With boosters getting delayed, it makes more sense to adopt mask mandates. It has to be borne in mind that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, so public behaviour that put everyone at risk need a very strong response from the authorities.
LJ Singh
Leave no room for any complacency
Earlier too the experts predicted third Covid wave in September to be peaked in October but people heaved a sigh of relief that their predictions did not turn out to be true. Now, again they project third Covid wave to hit India by early 2022 amid surge in Omicron cases globally. One fails to understand why do they want to keep the general public under constant fear, stress, strain and anxiety as one or the other variant of the Covid is bound to surface from time to time? However, now that a new variant of Covid Omicron has emerged globally, it becomes imperative to take it seriously leaving no room for any complacency. Although the anticipated wave is said to be milder than the harsh and severe second one, a proper risk management plan is required to avoid the shortage of oxygen, hospital beds, medicines etc. The district administration should initiate various appropriate measures to halt the fast spreading Omicron in its tracks. Since the elections are round the corner, a blanket ban should be imposed on rallies and mass gatherings, be they government or private. It should focus on enhancing vaccination drive as vaccinations and boosters are said to be the best and essential defence against Omicron. The emergence of the variant should spur the people to get vaccinated or get the booster shots. They should fully co-operate with the administration by religiously following Covid protocols. It becomes all the more important to maintain social distancing, wearing masks, using sanitizers and following all the necessary guidelines issued by the district health authorities to protect themselves from getting infected. They should shrug off complacency that has of late crept into them to follow Covid appropriate behaviour for their own good and for the others too. Non-essential travel should be put off. With the Omicron cases crossing 60 in the country and the Covid variant of concern rapidly spreading across countries, the district administration should prepare itself for the formidable challenge that the Omicron may pose. The threat of a possible third wave looms large and is projected to hit by February. Nothing should be left to chance and the people flouting Covid norms with impunity should be dealt with strictly.
Tarsem S Bumrah
Wear masks at all times, sanitise hands
The foremost thing which all must do to prevent spread of virus is to wear masks at all times and all places while going out from home. Secondly, the district administration must encourage and enforce social distancing at all places. Thirdly, awareness about bane effects of virus should be created. Last, but not the least the district administration should try to prevent massive gatherings in rallies by any one.
Sanjay Chawla
Be optimistic but ready for hard times as weLl
Though the media is not very vocal about the third Covid wave hitting our country early next year, common sense cautions us to be prepared for it. It is not a mistake to be too cautious. Hope for the best, yes, but be prepared for the worst. The government instructions in this regard as issued periodically over the radio and television must be monitored. To check passengers arriving from infected countries at the international airports, the formula should be test, trace and isolate. Fortunately for the population, a majority of us now have, unlike last year, the shield of protection against the virus in the form of full vaccination. The same is also expected to provide immunity against the new variant Omicron but it is only a guess. The exact position will be clear after a credible data emerges. Those who are not jabbed yet must be convinced to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The good part is that Omicron is not so deadly and its mode of spreading is also not different, i.e. it spreads through the mouth or nose and targets the respiratory system like Covid19 but its symptoms are mild fever, headache, runny nose etc. Hence, precautionary measure must be taken. The administration should order organisers of processions and prabhat pheris to skip the same altogether or maintain Covid appropriate behaviour wherever such gatherings are planned. Moreover, it is time to take a call on the booster dose for the fully vaccinated.
Mohan Singh
Keep tab on bad elements
Since the early 2020, the whole world is battling against Covid and its repercussions in the form of death and fear of death all over. Economy suffered, international relations lost mutual respect. Medical fraternity though did a lot but fleecing on the part of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies is also known to everyone. A new generation of students came up who never went to school in person for at least one and a half year. When there is no chance of escaping the blues of pandemic, so why not face it boldly and with due caution. It becomes the duty of everyone to observe Covid-appropriate behaviour. Vaccination is must for those who have been avoiding it for reasons known only to them. There is no reason to panic. Only the experts should be consulted, not the quacks. Healthy diet, positive attitude and family support are the trident to counter the virus attack. The administration must have learnt a lot from its earlier experience. It needs to handle the situation in rather more humane way. There is also a need to keep a vigil on unscrupulous element all-around. Make sure that the needy should not be left high and dry. Wherever necessary the mild use of force can help to handle the situation successfully.
Madhu Sharma
Take healthy diet to boost immunity
Contemporary era is so unpredictable as every coming year bring new disease that engulfed major proportion of population. Last year due to the pandemic life came to a halt and now it is projected that Omicron will peak at beginning of the next year. However, there are many people who dont care to wear masks, came outside during the lockdown and involved in get together with their relatives and friends. Residents should contemplate the significant reasons behind hike in cases and take all mandatory precautions to save themselves. Some people get infected even after taking all necessary precautions just because of low immunity. The prominent reason behind this is adultrated food items. In addition to this, physical activities have reduced alot due to modern comforts. The first and foremost step should towards good health is to consume a healthy diet.
Sukhmeet Kaur
Raise awareness among masses
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is slowly picking up its pace globally, leading to many restrictions worldwide. The district administration must now act strict than before and ensure that proper rules and regulations are followed. Awareness campaigns need to be increased so that maximum number of people are informed about the variant. Individuals must be made aware to not get complacent about the pandemic as it proved deadly during the second wave of Covid-19. They should obey the orders of the authorities so that maximum safety can be ensured. With the elections just around the corner, it must be ensured that large gatherings are avoided and people follow the necessary precautions.
Jatinderpal Singh Batth
QUESTION
With minimum temperature dipping to 1C to 2C in many cities of Punjab, what steps should the administration and residents take to protect the homeless from the biting cold and related health risks?
Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.comby Thursday (December 23)
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