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The second wave of Covid-19 pandemic is spreading across the country, evident from the nearly 47 thousand people affected on a single day which is the highest figure in the last four months. Fresh cases of infections have been rising at a faster rate than the rate of recovery. More worrying is the fact that in 17 states, a double-mutant variant of this lethal virus has been found. This new variant is completely different from UK, South Africa or Brazil variants. Sensing the danger, states like Maharashtra and Delhi have already imposed many restrictions. As the Centre has empowered states to impose curbs so that the spread of this infectious disease can be prevented, it is expected that other states too will also adopt the same method to maintain public health.
But the job is easier said than done. Exactly a year ago, India managed the situation by imposing a strict nationwide lockdown for nearly three months. As a result, the economy contracted nearly 25 per cent and went into recession after registering two consecutive negative growth rates. According to a report published by Pew Research Centre of United States (US), in the wake of the pandemic 32 million people belonging to middle income group were wiped out, effectively signifying that the number of middle class people in India shrunk, after registering a growth of nearly 57 million between 2011 to 2019. As a result, the number of very poor people (who earn $2 or less per day) has increased by 75 million. As per the report, the overall Indian economy has contracted nearly 9.6 per cent in the 2020-21 financial year.
Now, the Indian economy is roaring back to health with a positive growth rate in Agriculture and increase in public spending by the government. Thus, imposing another lockdown will definitely spell doom for India’s economic fortune and so, the government will have to search for another method to keep the people indoors without hurting the economy. But with the forthcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory along with popular festivals like Holi approaching, the job seems next to impossible. People are thronging in large numbers to listen to their favourite leaders in various rallies, where the basic safety procedures to keep Covid-19 away are not being followed. Similar is the case with Holi celebrations, which have already started in different parts of the country.
In such a situation, a strict vigil by the health authorities can save both lives and the economy. There should be zero tolerance for violators of Covid-19 safety norms. At the same time the vaccination drive should be strengthened so that the majority of citizens get the protective shield in the shortest time possible. The only silver lining is that though the daily caseload is increasing fast, the number is still well below the peak that India touched September last. At that time nearly 98 thousand people were infected in a single day. But that should not make us complacent. Rather, we should revamp our efforts to prevent that day from visiting us again.