Lockdown to contain COVID-19 second wave in Manipur

Sanasam Yaiphaba Singh *

A vaccination for COVID-19 in Imphal on 15 May 2021 :: Pix - TSE

Second wave of COVID-19 arrived in Manipur suddenly in the middle week of April 2021. The infection case was 600 on 7 May 2021 while it was only 18 and 275 on April 15 and 27 respectively.

The graph of COVID-19 surge is abruptly moving upwards. This situation is in spite of all the preventive and precautionary measures of the Government and the people. In view of the severity and speedy rate of the spread of the virus, people are aware of necessity of the staying at home and vaccination.

People are also aware that fighting the disease is to a keep distance among us not only during the time of pandemic but also more after infection. People are also aware that the new variant seems to be more dangerous, more infectious and more deadly. The healthcare system is under a heavy pressure and stress.

The trend of the pandemic in Manipur is definitely alarming and arouses a sense of panic among the people. From the past experience it is evident that self-protection will only be one of the best alternate measures. When the number of positive cases was low in the previous few months during the end of the first wave of COVID-19, the virus was erroneously thought of being almost under control.

Hence, people started relaxing the strict preventive measures. It was observed that the keeping returnees from outside the State in quarantine centres for fourteen days and testing them before leaving the centres appeared to have been neglected while this was strictly followed during the first wave.

But, now it is a question of how the impact of the second wave would move in what direction and magnitude though experts from India and abroad have predicted a fearful magnitude of the spread of the disease which would be difficult to manage in India.

The living style of the people in Manipur society has always a tendency to test the value of outdoor life. Our culture and way of living is in such a way that close relationship in the community is inseparable from each other. It is a tradition to share sorrow and suffering of relatives, friends and help them by visiting them.

The religious ceremonies of Deva-Karma are considered incomplete without the participation of the local elders, relatives, neighbours and friends. The Deva-Karma is considered proper when it is conducted with the participation of elders and older people. The political leaders and social workers are supposed to attend it.

The society is unique that the people cannot live without mingling and talking with the neighbours and localities. But, on the other hand mingling and assembling of people during COVID-19 pandemic is very dangerous because the virus can spread from one person to another fast. The SOPs are somewhat quite in contrast to our lifestyle.

It is known that almost all the citizens of the State are aware of the SOP guidelines and severity of the disease, but it would be a very big question on whether the guidelines are being strictly followed. However, it is a must among us to follow the guidelines strictly.

During lockdown all the people will be at home, and it will prevent man to man contact and the assembly of people remain restricted. There will be no chance of spreading the virus among us. It is a fact that lockdown will certainly affect the socio-economic conditions of the State and the people, particularly poor and daily wage earners.

However, we know that the ultimate effect of the spread of COVID-19 is the loss of human life which cannot be returned again. If we remain physically fit and protected from the disease then there is every chance and hope of recovery of the loss from the lockdown.

It was reported that the number of deaths due to Covid-19 was 499 out of the 34,555 positive cases (as on 7th May 2021) in Manipur. The untimely death under the abnormal circumstances brought about unbearable pang of separation in the family, friends and a sense of insecurity in the society.

In view of the above facts and urgent need of timely action to reduce the increasing number of positive and fatalities, and also from the point of positive thinking and comparative approach, the imposition of lockdown for a few weeks besides strict SOPs so as to make the people stay at home, will be one of the most effective measures.

Many countries have started control the spread of the disease. New medicines, improved health infrastructure and latest methods of treatment at home and hospital are being developed. Hence, we need not feel panic. We can fight the virus with a sense of responsibility.