The advice I see and hear everywhere is 'Stay Safe, Stay Home'. Of course, wear 'Mask, Keep social distancing'. Also in some places 'Don't spit'. They could add 'Don't touch your face, specially your mouth, eyes and nose'.
All this was required to flatten the Covid curve. However the curve did not flatten, instead went up. There were accusations, politics and slogans 'Poorest of the poor' and 'life first than livelihood' flew about.
The last 'Six Months' have been strange. We were totally locked down the first two months, and later we could walk on the road. However, we rarely stopped to talk to people we knew. If we did, it was from a safe distance! There was even hope for a better Bengaluru as a result of Covid. More human considerations in play!
The last two months have been, on the face of it, back to normal for Bangalore. There are reports of all sorts: scams, corruption and so on. We all have lived thru this before, even though we did not expect it to take hold again so soon. Making a quick buck now seems ghoulish! Unfortunately, there is no cure for this particular disease. There could be a vaccine for Covid by end of the year, but there seems to be no cure for this moral sickness. We live with it in any case!
I was on the highway to Mysore. Roads were full, with lot of two wheelers and cars and a few buses and heavy vehicles. The world is planning to gradually open to travel. I think it is a good idea. People need to travel. Each continent has a few small out of the way places which are safe. We should encourage travel and organise it well. The green and yellow bands offer safe to moderate risk for people who travel.
For instance Karnataka has many towns and small cities which seems to be reasonably okay to travel.
People can take day trips or short trips with reasonable safety. Government could organise travel and monitor it well to see that people and particularly drivers don't go berserk.
As I was thinking about travel as a stimulant to economy. A friend of mine sent me this. It is important that we do not forget Covid, as it is bound to stay for a while. Hopefully the good habits we have learned will continue!
Ps.,
I received a few nice comments for my earlier blog. I am quoting one which came from another country.
"We are all concerned about the pandemic situation as it relates to India. While the actual incidence may be higher than the numbers quoted, the death rate seems to be still quite low Again the question of accuracy persists Ultimately we have to wait for ‘herd immunity’ and vaccines I do not know how India will be able to afford and cover enough numbers when the vaccines are released The economic impact is staggering Not sure how it will end From what I read ( from the online editions of Hindu, Deccan Herald etc) the bureaucracy is getting more powerful and seem to decide with not enough check by the health authorities." Dr. G.R. Raj
"Hello Srinidhi:
Infections were major causes of death when you and I were born and
were growing up. Smallpox, polio, bubonic plague and cholera were
prominent. During the war bacterial infections killed more soldiers
(and civilians) than any other disease until penicillin was
discovered and produced. Capitalistic (or rich) countries denied its
availability to poor and socialist countries (Soviet Union in
particular) who lost a large number of people at peace and at War.
Jenner in England produced the first vaccine against Smallpox
(probably you know that the concept was in existence in poor,
colonised India) which saved millions of lives (Remember Smallpox
vaccinations we all received). Rich and poor countries joined hands to
eradicate smallpox (a viral disease). It will happen now also. So do
not despair. Rich (capitalistic) countries will develop vaccines and
India (poor/developing ?-choice is yours)) will produce it in quantity
for the world at large.
Anand Kumar (A respected scientist who brought high profile drug manufacturers to India!)
I have been thinking that Corona knows no discrimination, is a leveler. Your blog has proved it with the top five countries being from the 5 continents. No continent is spared...population, sophistication, education, culture,etc all thrown to the winds.
You have also rightly pointed out that humans evolving into better beings will remain a dream. It's like smashaana vairaagya that's fleeting. Already, again as u have said , humans have accepted the pervasive presence of the virus. Life will go on.... (Shanti wrote for me a blog posted earlier when Srikanth got positive with Covid. He is back home mercifully! )
Comments
As far as corruption is concerned, no pandemic or calamity can bring it down. It's become a way of life. When I heard that money is being made out of tin sheets and bamboo poles, it was like the last straw...but in the present circumstances, that last straw would probably turn out to be the penultimate one, creating room for more avenues to make money. Swalpa adjust maadikolli is always applicable, after all!
Go ahead n travel. Best to go around with your own car. Maintain social distancing and wear mask everywhere (except at home).
Despite doing all this, I know people who got covid, acted fast and early and took medication, were admitted in hospital for just 3-4 days, home quarantine for another 8-10 days, and are back to normal activity. But the experience leaves them pretty weak. Finally, one's getting it and speed of recovery and the aftermath depends on one's immunity level.
So, take care and do whatever you wish / have to do.
As you know, Pratima and I got back to NJ safe n sound. No probs with flights or immigration. Sharath n Varadraj reached LA on 30 Aug. Similar experience as ours.
Take care n stay safe.
Prasan.