We should focus on proactive steps to face third wave

Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked officials to focus on seven districts in the state where Covid cases are relatively higher. The CM's advice is to increase testing and vaccination here.

The CM has advocated patience when it comes to easing restrictions and instead caution lights must blink. He is talking preparedness when it comes to oxygen beds, ICU beds, hospital rooms, the general medical infrastructure. We have to brace for the Delta Plus variant of the virus and an impending third wave.

Even as the third wave looms, let us understand that we are not done with the second wave as yet. The second wave tail is still wagging. It may not wag as furiously as earlier but Mumbai clocked more than 700 cases on Thursday, so we have to see that the city has not dipped under 500 consistently. The virus is very much there and it has certainly not vanished, let us not be under any illusion.

Instead of the constant focus on ease, though one understands that industries and workers are suffering, it is preparedness that should be in the spotlight.

Just how prepared are we for the third wave? We hope it never happens but we cannot wish it away. The spotlight should be on gearing up, enough infra, learning from the mistakes of the second wave peak and moving full steam ahead with plans and implementation if and when the third wave hits. The pandemic is a many headed hydra, it has flummoxed countries which thought they had beaten the virus, only to rise again.

The tendency here is to react after the event, we are reactive rather than proactive as a nation, and this goes for most calamities. Let us transform into one that anticipates and acts before disaster rather than after.