Open House: What steps should be taken to prevent the spread of Omicron?

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 gatherings

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 behaviour a 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

Cases spreading like wildfire

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 the hopeful assurance that new variant of concern could be detected with the 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 sterilised and taking necessary steps to maintain good health standards to boost immunity and personal hygiene

Jagdish Chander

Can pin hopes on the 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, new 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

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 next, nothing should be left to chance and the people flouting Covid management norms with impunity should be dealt with strictly.

Tarsem S Bumrah

Wear masks at all times

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 prepared for the worst

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

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 don’t 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 1°C to 2°C 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 jalandhardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (December 23)