fida hussain Srinagar India

Virus- Not a Cry Wolf

A spark neglected burns the house. The story is an overt piece of literature. That is what applies to all of us right now. There was a time when people of Kashmir were confident of not being affected by the calamitous COVID-19 virus. But what came out is a different picture. The number of coronavirus affected population rose to a new high level. Not only hundreds, but thousands were also gripped by the vicious microscopic creature. Now a million dollar question generates. In fact, that question needs an answer from all of us. What exposed us to this deadly virus to the premier level? Our arrogance, negligence, or carelessness, this needs to be debated.

Covid-19 devastated 210 countries. There are 12.5 million confirmed cases and claimed almost 560000 lives worldwide. Moreover, it's tumultuous nature clamped economy, disrupted global supply chains, impeded international trade, and halted world tourism. The troubleshooter economic packages were rolled by the respective governments of various countries to deal with the recession like situation. There is a complete economic collapse. According to the UN Report, the global economy could shrink by 1% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

While even superpowers of the world were rendered helpless and hopeless in taking the virus head-on, the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially the Kashmir valley are yet to judge the seriousness of the situation. The laxity has ripped apart all the standards of logic. The COVID-19 seems to be a hoax, a game, and a bluff to the people. But we have seen the limitless spike of cases in the valley with each passing day. One of the reasons for this behavior may be the repeated deceptions the people met with, but here the existence of the virus cannot be ruled out. No doubt we have been the victims of the crying wolf strategies in the past. But let us believe the call this time and make a secure environment for ourselves and others. Let us accept the reality and stay safe. Let us not contrast it with our faith. Faith is eternal; precaution is its important ingredient.

The recent surge of COVID-19 cases with the escalating death rate in the valley is testimony to the fact that the situation has turned to be a disastrous one. If our carelessness will remain unchecked, as is evident from our actions then it will turn to be a catastrophe of the unmanageable echelon. The people of the valley are following the trend of roaming in local parks, playgrounds, and the tourist destinations- both in rural and in the urban areas. The markets remain flooded with the people. The SOP's are dashed to the dust. No masks, no social distancing, and no precautions that is what meets the eye. The social gatherings are celebrated and calibrated without any fear. We are labeling ourselves as “COVIDIDOITS”. It seems that wisdom has gone on a long leave and the idiocy has prevailed.

Nations with the best of the health care systems have lost to the virus. We as a part of third world country should understand that the only way to defeat this pandemic is by defending ourselves. We are battling with the unknown creature. We are fighting a war with nothingness. It transmits by the movement of people, contaminated respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces. The recent report from WHO projects that the possibility of airborne transmission in public settings cannot be ruled out. It means that the virus can be transmitted through the air also.

The widespread transmission of the virus follows three stages: Imported cases, local transmission, and community transmission. The Kashmir valley has reportedly attained the community transmission level, where people get infected but the source cannot be traced out. So to wriggle the spread, we have to work at the individual level. As the situation is very grim, our health frontiers are requesting the masses to follow the protocols.

It is time to realize that nobody is immune to the COVID-19 Virus. We have to shun our arrogance and break the chain. Let us open our eyes to scrutinize the right and wrong. Lockdown may or may not be the perfect solution, but we have to follow the protocols at the individual level. We have to follow SOP's religiously to change the perception of the virus. What is done is done, it can’t be undone. But we have to fight now and stop this spark to burn our house due to our neglect. Let’s fight and win.