COVID-19 How India Won a Battle and Now Needs to Win a Losing War

Summary

India's successful management of COVID-19's first wave led to complacency, contributing to a severe second wave due to new virus mutations and relaxed safety measures.

Abstract

The article discusses the resurgence of COVID-19 in India, detailing how initial success in controlling the virus led to a false sense of security. People and the government eased restrictions, resumed economic activities, and held large gatherings, including elections and religious events. However, the emergence of more transmissible double and triple mutant virus strains, combined with a lapse in vigilance, resulted in a rapid increase in cases. Despite a robust vaccination effort, the scale of the country made it challenging to vaccinate a significant portion of the population quickly. The article concludes with a note of hope, suggesting that the crisis could lead to a stronger health infrastructure and accelerated vaccination efforts.

Opinions

The author expresses pride in India's initial handling of the pandemic, contrasting it with Europe's struggles.
There is a criticism of the change in public attitude, with people ignoring health advisories due to lockdown fatigue and economic pressures.
The article points out the responsibility of political parties and the government in allowing large gatherings, which likely contributed to the spread of the virus.
The author suggests that the resumption of religious activities and celebrations without adherence to COVID protocols was a mistake.
The piece acknowledges the government's efforts in vaccination but indicates that these efforts were insufficient given the country's size.
The author implies that the virus's mutation into more contagious variants, which may also evade detection by RT-PCR tests, played a significant role in the second wave's severity.
Despite the current crisis, the article conveys optimism about India's resilience and the potential for positive outcomes, such as improved health infrastructure and increased vaccination rates.

Then what happened?

The people thought it was all over and took things lightly. We genuinely thought the worst was over and we had won the battle.

Industries opened, lockdowns were gone, movement restrictions were removed. The economy that was in tatters picked up swiftly and mostly recovered.

Like a story from history, the people's army won a battle and the enemy retreated. The soldiers celebrated, got drunk. They put their weapons down (masks, awareness). Unbeknown to them, the enemy was regrouping and getting stronger (mutated virus). They attacked again when the people’s army was still not back to their senses. What followed was a slaughter! A story that we have read or seen so many times. And that is what happened.

Just like what happened in the UK after the first wave, people in India also let their guard down.

People’s change in attitude Lockdown fatigue, economic recovery, and false belief they have defeated the virus led people to ignore health advisories and social distancing.

Economic activity Economic activity resumed in full swing. Most businesses were allowed to open. Lockdowns and movement restrictions were out of vogue.

Elections and Politicians Political parties behaved as if they are above the law. Large election rallies took place in several states ignoring all COVID protocols.

Religion and Celebrations All religions resumed from snooze! Govt. allowed the largest religious gathering — Kumbh Mela, with millions coming together— to take place. Private parties, celebrations, and weddings had resumed.

Vaccinations Tough to blame anyone here. The Govt. undertook a record number of vaccinations. But given the size of the country, it was a drop in the ocean.

On the other side, the foe — Coronavirus — itself changed.

All of this culminated into the situation India is in now!

The COVID-19 wave-2 storm.

COVID-19 How India Won a Battle and Now Needs to Win a Losing War

The COVID situation in India is rapidly deteriorating, why?

I relocated to Germany amid COVID. Why Europe struggles to control it is clear.

The stark differences in handling of the pandemic between a developing nation and developed countries.

Then what happened?

Just like what happened in the UK after the first wave, people in India also let their guard down.

On the other side, the foe — Coronavirus — itself changed.

India added a million new cases in just 3 days!

The future:

Hopefully, this crisis will strengthen the health infrastructure, put vaccinations into overdrive, and in a few months, India would have vaccinated its vast majority.

Things would once again go back to normal!