Exercise caution

Delhi must take all safeguards to save lives  and prevent a repeat of past mistakes

As the latest set of relaxations comes into force and Delhi reopens today for the first time since April 19, it’s time for us to have a relook at all the lessons we’ve learned, or failed to learn, from our experiences with COVID-19. First and foremost, even though the Arvind Kejriwal  Government has clearly spelled out the riders, we must appreciate that the Government can do only this much; now the onus of following all the rules and regulations lies squarely on the shoulders of the citizens. Delhiites must not forget that once the upward spiral in the number of daily cases was arrested earlier, we all went around recklessly without following COVID-appropriate behaviour; in the process, risking our own lives and that of our loved ones. Of course, the number of cases shot up soon enough and the crisis reached such a pass that, despite claiming that it was fully geared to meet any eventuality, the Delhi Government had to throw up its hands and admit that there were not sufficient hospital beds or medical oxygen to take care of the ailing citizenry.

If all the residents of the Capital follow simple steps and show concern for the lives of all others around them, it won’t be too tough for the city to get back to its feet sooner rather than later. Such simple steps largely involve common sense and a sense of respect towards fellow citizens. Wear your masks, and it can’t be stressed enough, wear them properly covering the mouth and the nose, not loosely hanging around your neck just to deceive the law. Next, always, always follow social distancing. One understands that a lot of people, especially the children, would be happy to just get of their houses again and meet their friends but never must they violate the mask and the social distancing rules. Then, knowing well that the Metro services would be available only at 50 per cent capacity, and maybe the number of trains would also remain curtailed, it makes sense to allow yourself a little extra time for the commute. Account for the time you may have to wait at the Metro station, before you are allowed inside the bogie to take care of the physical distancing clause. Simple steps like these would go a long way in keeping the virus at bay and us, alive.

Source: The Pioneer