PTFC-19 doubts state's preparedness to face 3rd Wave
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 05 2021: People's Task Force for Covid-19 (PTFC-19) has questioned the state government's delayed action in taking precautionary measures against the imminent third wave of the Covid-19, including stringent measures at the check points of Jiri, Mao, Airport and other checkpoints of the state along the National Highways.

Issuing a statement in this regard, Task Force convenor BK Moirangcha said that the authority concerned should properly inform the people how the third wave of the pandemic is going to strike Manipur, the type of variant and the possible means of transmission of the virus from other states.

Questioning whether the present measures are enough to serve as protection from possible transmission of the variant from other states, Moirangcha asked whether the people or the policy of the government would be at fault if the third wave were to strike the state.

He further questioned if the claim made by the government regarding low positive rate is based on complete test records or based on data of voluntary testing by people.

"Is the low positivity rate in the last 3-4 days due to strict measures taken up under a Covid testing policy? .

Or is it an attempt of garnering votes while pushing the pandemic issue into the background? .

Would it not be prudent on the part of the government to ensure strict adherence of SOPs in its official functions instead of merely announcing the same for the public? .

Wouldn't the children and the youth be the ones to be heavily affected if the third wave were to strike within the next 3 months (September, October, November), especially as steps are being taken up to reopen educational institutions? .

Have the necessary SOP mechanism been prepared to save the precious lives of the future pillars of the country? .

Is it difficult to hang on to matters related to education and academic career for the time being until the pandemic is fully taken care of?" he further questioned.

The convenor continued: "The government should consider if it needs to update the present policy related to conduct of online classes during the pandemic.

It should also consider informing the people about any policy formulated to combat the third wave of the pandemic, including any concrete steps that have been taken up instead of waiting for an explosion of transmission of the Delta Plus variant or any other variants" .

When the pandemic first struck the state, the state was unable to take full control of the situation due to failure of adopting pre-emptive measures.

Thus, the government needs to take serious note of the situation at the earliest to prevent a repeat of the previous waves, he asserted.

Comment