2021: Lockdown Or No Lockdown ?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a couple of weeks ago, stated that India should consider an aggressive lockdown only as a ‘last resort’. But, the second wave is totally rebellious and unmanageable. Which is why Modi is hearing advice and guidance right from the opposition and top business leaders to the US President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser that it is high time the country should have a complete and actual lockdown instead of night curfews.

As the world is speculating this is the only way to put an end to the wild outbreak, PM Modi is looking to avoid the criticism and aggression which he faced last year when he had imposed a lockdown without warning. Additionally, we have two more reasons why Modi is avoiding the lockdown. One, to avoid economical survival issues and two, to avoid hatred and loathe overlaps after his party BJP  failed to win an election in West Bengal.

This time, even the common public is giving the green signal to impose a full lockdown in order to save their loved ones lives. After witnessing jammed crematoriums and flooded hospitals with people dying on the streets, people have come to believe that lockdown can change the aggression in the virus. As night curfews in few places marginally slowed the virus, it is indeed a good option to impose a full lockdown to bring in the more intended results.

Biden’s medical expert, Anthony S. Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease doctor, says a temporary shut down is important. And along with him, many doctors and health experts agreed to his statement. However, some people worry about the poor and poverty emerging to a much disastrous condition. The harsh fallouts, impact on the economy and stress on people’s finances, are a few of the many things that we cannot forget from the 2020 lockdown. This is also why the government has left it open for states to decide on local lockdowns.

One thing that can be taken into consideration is staggering the public transport, in the sense of limiting the number of people who can crowd on a bus or train. Ventilation is key, and people should not drop their masks. Religious gatherings, political events and other similar mass gatherings should also be regulated. Lockdown is certainly not our favourite but it is still essential for the containment of this pernicious virus. Share your views in the comment section!