It has been a year and 12 days since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, after which our lives changed forever. But all these months later, people are weary, and many are no longer as willing to observe safety protocols as they were a year ago when fear was at its height. With life largely going back to a normal rhythm, and large functions routinely taking place, there is almost a feeling in the air that the pandemic is over.
This feeling, however, is an illusion, and the numbers paint a clear picture. People are still getting sick, and they are still dying. The danger is still very much present, and it would be a fatal and tragic mistake to let down our guard right now.
Kudos to our port city for doing the right thing. Chittagong’s district administration has imposed a ban on rallies and mass gatherings, including religious programs, with an effort to check the spread of Covid-19. A spike in the infection rate has been observed, because, quite simply, people were flouting regulations. Measures now need to be more stringent, because our ethical obligation towards the health of the population must come first.
Credit must be given where it is due: Our vaccine rollout so far has been nothing short of exemplary. Rolling out Covid-19 vaccines in Bangladesh is a tall order -- given our population -- but we are steadily moving towards our goal. At this stage, though, vaccination is only part of the overall picture, and if we fail to contain the spread, many more could die in the days to come. We must look at the data and be realistic about where we stand, and not give in to wishful thinking.
