Though I don’t claim myself to be an expert in tackling Covid-19, I would like to share my opinion through this write-up. Until and unless a vaccine or a sure cure is found which according to the experts may not happen very soon, proper measures and precautions are the only options. To put forth my argument, I would like to use a term, “A, B, C, D Chain of Transmission”.
So far in Nagaland, by the Grace of God and efforts made by various stakeholders, we could contain the disease. With due sympathy to the stranded people, if and when the commercial flights and trains resume or inter-state transport resumes, the Chain of Transmission may start to take place. Let’s call an inter-state returnee or tourist as Mr. A. God forbid, but if Mr. A is in incubation period or infected with the Covid-19 and has a brother, Mr. B in a school, he may infect his brother Mr. B while Mr. B would infect his school mate(s), Mr. C (multiple of friends). In turn, Mr. C (including a number of students) may infect Mr. D (the family members) which constitutes a number of families thereby, straightaway reaching Stage-II of the Covid-19 which is known as “Local Transmission”.
As a result, one major concern will be the complexities of emotional, psychological and mental health of the infected children as they will be required to keep isolated from the care of their parents and loved ones. Another concern is, it will be difficult or even impossible to maintain Social Distancing (a major preventive measure to contain Covid-19) among the students. If ever a positive case is detected in the school or college, to quarantine or seal the entire school/college community will be a herculean task.
Therefore, while education is very important, to save the life of a child is far more important. Let’s remember that nothing in this world can replace the lives of our near and dear ones.
Since there are experts and concerned authorities doing their level best to contain the spread of the virus, it is my humble request that my opinion is only taken as a reminder or an additional idea to jointly fight against this Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. M. Temjen Longkumer
Lerie colony, Kohima