A commendable response

Considering the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus across the world, it was only a matter of time before we saw confirmed cases in Bangladesh.

In an increasingly globalized world, this was inevitable.

However, what is important now is that we do not panic and take measures to ensure that the spread of the virus remains contained and that people affected by the virus get the right treatment.

The philosophy of prevention being better than cure will remain paramount in the coming months, and considering our highly dense population, the government must take pro-active steps to ensure that neither the virus nor panic regarding it spreads across the nation.

The government has already done a commendable  job of tracking down people infected by the virus and putting them under quarantine, providing them the proper treatment in the process.

What is even more encouraging is the fact that the government has decided to postpone the grand rally scheduled for March 17, organized to start off Mujib Borsho.

This was the right decision.

With this move, the government has shown that it is willing to prioritize the safety of the people above anything else. A grand event such as this, with millions gathering in tight, enclosed spaces, would have been nothing short of a veritable petri dish for the coronavirus to further spread.

Now is the time for precaution. We must exercise restraint when it comes to organizing public gatherings, and have a plan with regards to providing the best health care possible to the people -- which should equate to comprehensive health screenings around the nation.

If nothing else, the decision to postpone a national celebration of this size and scope is proof that the government is indeed in-line with the pulse of the nation. The threat of coronavirus looms large, and we will need to take every precaution necessary -- at both the state and individual levels.