Letters Omicron

Put Covid protocols in place, step-up vaccination to tackle Omicron

Strap: Antidote to 3rd Covid wave a combination of social distancing, health infra and massive vaccination outreach, say residents

Prevention is better than cure

The new virus Omicron originated from South Africa. The fact that the European countries and America have not been able to help African countries with vaccine doses. Many countries in Europe have banned flights to and from South Africa. Not surprisingly, South Africa condemned such partisan attitudes of the developed countries. Our own Dr Guleria of the AIIMS has stated that the Omicron virus is less lethal than Delta 1.1.517. So I don’t think there is any need to get panicky. Nevertheless, the previous precautions of hand washing, wearing mask and avoiding large gatherings should be observed strictly. Both the government and social activists need to make people aware of the coming contagion. Vaccination drive should be expedited and vaccination hesitancy should be avoided to make people aware of the same. As the maxim goes prevention is better than cure.

Dr J S Wadhwa

Put curbs on large gathering

Although the previous wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has started losing its momentum and the number of positive cases and fatalities has been on the decline in the recent past, the third Covid wave with a more deadly Omicron mutation that is slated to hit the country by early 2022 has raised fresh concerns. As many nations across the world have witnessed a sudden spike in infections, the Central government has issued new instructions to the states to make proper preparations to deal with the impending danger in the wake of holiday season and the upcoming Assembly elections in UP, Punjab and elsewhere. But it is ironical that the ruling dispensation has failed miserably to enforce strict implementation of the health protocols in the past, courtesy its ubiquitous apathetic and indifferent attitude. As usual, people are again least concerned about wearing masks, sanitising hands, maintaining social and physical distancing and avoiding crowded places. Instead of being grossly engaged in furthering its electoral gains, the Congress-led government should spare time to make orchestrated plans to prevent the spread of the virus that has the potential to cause a humongous loss of human lives. While the district administration should ramp-up vaccination drive and put necessary curbs on public gatherings, all parties should ensure that people do not violate the Covid safety norms at political rallies. Learning lessons from the past experience, the health authorities should update its medical infrastructure to ensure that public hospitals and other healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Being largely and thickly populated, India is still in the throes of a pandemic. Only a correct public behaviour and a stringent governmental action will secure the vulnerable lives.

Simran & Tajpreet S Kang

Responsible public behavior the only solution

At a time when the ongoing battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic is still not won, India is confronted with a new Omicron variant. The virologists and epidemiologists term it more transmissible. The state has opened all economic activities. It is feared that it is likely to be more active in the beginning of the next year. In the absence of an effective vaccine or drug for its cure, it is an unsaid thing that only a responsible public behaviour is the only plausible way to escape its onslaught. Time and again, the Centre has been advising the states and the local administration to be more vigilant about the impending menace. But sadly, it is an established fact that neither the authorities nor the people are serious about strict adherence to the mandatory safety protocols. What is the way out then? The government should bring out a comprehensive policy on booster shots to all age groups, i.e. from adolescents to children to youngsters and the old. These would raise the amount of circulating anti-bodies that provide protection to the vulnerable from symptomatic infection with Omicron. The district Health Department should educate the complacent and hesitant public about the looming danger and increase the sluggish process of testing, tracing and vaccination. The police should take effective steps for the strict implementation of health and safety measures, and take penal action against the violators. Political parties that are busy in offering freebies ahead of Assembly elections should cooperate with the authorities to prevent the spread of the deadly virus on priority basis. After all, what is more precious than human life? ………………….D S Kang

Admn, Health Dept to play major role

The world has recently passed through a tough phase due to the second wave of Covid. The public had to pass through various restrictions till the vaccination was discovered, the life came to a standstill and total lockdown was implemented, the mode of traffic was suspended and the use of face masks was necessary and using of sanitisers to lean your hands was also strictly implemented, but with the new Omicron people are still double minded in regard to its negative results, even though the masses are feeling themselves safe due to vaccination of two doses and if all goes well booster dose is in question in coming days. The masses are well aware of the precautions taken during Covid-19 and once again if the administration feels risk of Omicron the administration should strictly once again create atmosphere of awareness against this omicron and if necessary they should strictly implement the remedies for precaution to once again implement face masks, sanitisers, social distancing for a short while as when the Omicron is clear then the precautions should be lifted. It is for the Administration to send guidelines to the Health Department to ensure if any precautions are to be taken it should be strictly implemented without fail in public interest. As few states are going for the Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India should also take serious note of Omicron before allowing public rallies and strictly order for implementation of Safety measures if any to safe guard the masses from Omicron. ………………Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Give impetus to inoculation drive

Consequent upon lifting the Covid restrictions, a new variant Omicron (B 1.1.529) has been detected across many countries of the world. Though supposed to be less virulent than Delta variant, it is fast spreading as the number of cases surge since unlocking process began. According to experts, third wave of Covid may hit by early 2022. To prevent from any contagion, the virologists opine that a booster dose against Covid-19 increases 70 to 75% protection from the symptomatic infection. So many countries have raised the pace of jabbing to cover all its population, including the children and the adolescent. With the GOI approval for Sputnik V, in addition to Covishield and Covaxin doses, vaccine availability has improved substantially. As such, the administration ought to give further impetus to inoculation drive, while a firm policy is drawn to provide booster vaccination to all nationals to improve the immunity. Alongside, it is vital to gear up our preparedness to face any eventuality from the third wave of pandemic. As the ensuing elections and marriage season may increase the problems due to large get- togethers, there should not to be any lenience in the Covid protocol such as mandatory testing, tracing and quarantine, especially for those coming from abroad. Utmost care has to exercise in the offices and educational institutions. Learning from our past mistakes, we have to be vigilant against the unscrupulous elements resorting to black marketing and fleecing the innocent patients by charging exorbitantly. Right at the district/block level, health infrastructure, O2 generation capacity and adequate stocks of potential medicines besides upkeep of life-savers equipment like ventilators, oxygenators etc may be flipped to tackle any adverse situation. Administration and the people must actively coordinate in expeditious vaccination, maintain hygiene and avoid undue socialisation to prevent the spread of virus that casts its shadows again.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Omicron, the latest variant of Covid, is more lethal and contagious, both the district administration and the citizens need to be more vigilant and well-prepared to face the challenge. WHO, in its latest briefing, has warned the member nations that Omicron will likely outpace Delta but with hopeful assurance that new variant of concern could be detected with existing system of clinical testing and can be well-treated with the prevailing set of medical strategies. Presently, Omicron cases in India increasing rapidly spreading across the globe, preparedness to meet the challenge cannot be overlooked under any circumstances. Given the national data of vaccination coverage to adult population as 55% with both doses and 85% with a single shot, immediate task of local administration is to achieve 100% target of adult inoculation within specified time frame. In addition to different and comprehensive strategies to be kept in place at the national and state levels, the immediate task with the Centre is to be ready with all necessary preparations required to administer booster dose to all those adults who are fully jabbed. The people in general must continue adopting Covid-appropriate behavior such as wearing prescribed masks, avoiding public gatherings, maintaining physical distance, keeping hands occasionally sterilized and taking necessary steps to maintain good health standards to boost immunity and personal hygiene. ……Jagdish Chander

Can pin hopes on booster dose

As we know that another variant of Covid-19 has hit the world and even India has reported many cases of this new variant, we all must go back to square one to keep ourselves protected and follow the guidelines imposed by the government. Now, the variants are coming on and on. Some were not worrisome but the Delta variant and now the Omicron are the variants of concern. The first case of Omicron virus was found in South Africa and now it has spread in India, USA and many other countries have been affected by it. Now, we all have to take precautions like wearing masks at all times, getting vaccinated and even spreading awareness. As we know that it could be possible that a booster dose may be permitted to be used as it is around 75% effective against the Omicron variant. In the end, I would just like to say that we only have to acclimatise to the conditions by following proper protocols and it is us who will make a difference…..Sanidhya Bhaskar