Prevention is better than cure. It’s time again to be careful and cautious not to get inflicted by the new Covid-19 variant that’s again raising anxiety levels. Less than 700 daily cases were reported in various hospitals a day ago, showing a slight decline from the highest number of infections in a single day on May 21. Yet, governments are putting the people on alert and advising them to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour -meaning wearing of masks, avoiding crowded places etc. It’s a matter of relief that the JN.1 sub-variant is reckoned to be less harmful even as it’s spreading fast.
Notably, the first Covid-19 hit in India came shortly after China reported its first case from Wuhan in December, 2019. What started as a trickle snowballed into the worst-ever health emergency for the nation, the geographical region and across the world but affecting especially life in the US and Europe for a couple of years. To India’s credit, it managed to come up with its own brand of vaccines from two labs in Pune and Hyderabad, ensuring easy availability and facilitating exports to other needy nations as well. Covid-19 was thought to be an old story in recent months and the nation regained a sense of confidence. The national as well as global economy mostly recovered from the adverse impacts of Covid-19. With four deaths confirmed in the present spell, however, the fear factor is again creeping in. Both India and the world have by now gained adequate experience to handle such a huge humanitarian crisis. This would help humanity deal with a similar crisis in future.
Notably, there were those who fished in troubled waters, mainly the private sector hospitals. Hospitals and health care professionals as a whole, bore the brunt of the pandemic’s assaults. Yet, many private hospitals minted money by way of Covid-tests and related treatments. Caught in a major crisis, the health authorities could not invoke the regulatory mechanism for much of the affected period. The prices fixed for the vaccines were high even as the government itself went for bulk purchases and distributed the vaccines to hospitals across states. When firms like the Serum Institute and the Bharat Biotech raised the nation’s confidence level, the huge profits they minted from the sales at that critical hour was unjustified. The nation bore the brunt by paying through its nose. Also, fears persist about the long-term adverse impacts of these vaccines, which were produced and supplied without adequate periods of trials. Rumours that heart attacks and other ailments are being caused to those who took the vaccines might not be evidence based as yet, however, it is important now to revisit all such concerns.
COVID fears resurface
Prevention is better than cure. It’s time again to be careful and cautious not to get inflicted by the new Covid-19 variant that’s again raising anxiety levels. Less than 700 daily cases were reported in various hospitals a day ago, showing a slight decline from the highest number of infections in a single day on May 21. Yet, governments are putting the people on alert and advising them to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour -meaning wearing of masks, avoiding crowded places etc. It’s a matter of relief that the JN.1 sub-variant is reckoned to be less harmful even as it’s spreading fast.
The first Covid-19 hit in India shortly after China reported its first case from Wuhan in December, 2019. What started as a trickle snowballed into the worst-ever health emergency for the nation and the world. India managed to develop its own brand of vaccines from labs in Pune and Hyderabad, ensuring easy availability and facilitating exports to other countries. In recent months, Covid-19 was thought to be an old story as the nation regained a sense of confidence and the global economy mostly recovered. However, with four deaths confirmed in the present spell, the fear factor is creeping in once again. India and the world have gained experience in handling such crises, which would help in dealing with future similar situations.
Unfortunately, some private sector hospitals took advantage of the pandemic and profited from Covid-tests and treatments. Due to the crisis, health authorities struggled to enforce regulations, allowing these hospitals to overcharge. The prices fixed for the vaccines were also high, despite the government distributing them to hospitals across states. While firms like the Serum Institute and the Bharat Biotech raised the nation’s confidence by developing vaccines, their excessive profits were unjustified. Concerns also persist regarding the long-term adverse effects of these vaccines, as they were produced and supplied without sufficient trial periods. Although rumors of heart attacks and other ailments caused by the vaccines may not be evidence-based, it is essential to address these concerns.
As the fear of Covid-19 resurfaces, it is crucial for individuals to adhere to precautionary measures and prioritize their health and safety. By following Covid-appropriate behavior, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded places, people can significantly reduce the risk of infection. The JN.1 sub-variant, although spreading fast, is believed to be less harmful, offering some relief. Additionally, the world has learned valuable lessons from the previous wave of the pandemic, with India playing a significant role in vaccine development and distribution.
However, it is disheartening to see the exploitation that occurred during the crisis, particularly by private sector hospitals. While healthcare professionals and facilities faced immense challenges, certain institutions prioritized profits over public welfare. The exorbitant prices of vaccines, despite government assistance, and concerns about their long-term effects raise valid questions and demand further investigations.
In these uncertain times, it is essential for individuals, governments, and healthcare providers to work together to navigate the challenges posed by Covid-19. By prioritizing the well-being of the population and maintaining transparency in healthcare practices, we can mitigate the risks associated with the ongoing pandemic. As we continue to battle this global health crisis, it is crucial to approach the situation with caution, empathy, and a commitment to collective well-being.
Let us remember that prevention is indeed better than cure. By taking proactive measures and remaining vigilant, we can protect ourselves and others from the resurgence of Covid-19. We have the knowledge and experience gained from the previous waves, and it is our responsibility to apply these learnings and emerge stronger from this crisis. Together, we can overcome the challenges and ensure a safer and healthier future for all.
