And for a Friday after the PM has sounded the Covid Alarm bugle, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Crowds throng…. dangers of Covid spread…..
The PM’s message to the Nation on Tuesday was short, simple and direct. The lockdown has ended but the VIRUS is still active. This festive season from Dussehra to Diwali to Christmas and Year end, let’s be vigilant. Keep up all our Covid precautions, avoid crowds, follow Covid protocol, masks at all times, hand washing with Soap and one metre plus distance. India has so far handled Covid and recovered well. More than 100 mn Tests, 2000 Covid labs in the country and 12000 Quarantine centres. Efforts are on to develop the vaccine on a “war footing” and speedily delivered to each citizen.
Kerala was a Model state in Covid management until Onam celebrations began from 22 August to September 2. All hell broke loose. All precautions were thrown aside believing the Virus was tamed. More than a Million Keralites travelled intra and inter state, meeting relatives, shopping, festivities etc. Result – from the best managed to the worst state with a Test positivity rate of over 14% which was more than double the National average. India can not afford such a lapse. Given the Bihar State elections and various byepolls and coupled with the holiday festive season, risks are high. Vaccine is still long way off. China though has already vaccinated hundreds of thousands of its citizens with a Sinopharma Vaccine not yet cleared in phase 3 trials. But China is China.
Our Economy is showing green shoots and coming out of crisis. Foreign exchange reserves are at an all time high of 551 bn $. Manufacturing expanded last month at its fastest in 8 years with PMI of 56.8. E-way bills crossed 58 mn. All good signs, but still fragile. Let’s partake in the festivities, the safe way, the vigilant way, the SEEGOS way.