Mumbai: Experts caution workforce to follow Covid-19 norms to prevent lockdown

As Covid19 cases surge rapidly with Delta and Omicron being the most prevalent variants healthcare experts caution the workforce to follow safe working and commuting practices to prevent a lockdown as it would not only harm the economy but also cause adverse impact on mental healthldquoCovid safety of the workforce and childrenadolescents has become a serious concern once again They are in a dilemma about the return to workstudy from homerdquo said Dr Subhash Hira professor of Global Health at University of WashingtonSeattleldquoMoreover due to the slow process of genome sequencing across 28 laboratories India has recorded only 961 Omicron cases after testing 58240 samples in the past 26 days By comparison 7085 per cent of the new cases in the US and Europe are caused by Omicron Scientists are wondering if this glaring difference is because of the varied efficacies of different vaccinesrdquo he addedlsquoLockdown not a scientific solutionrsquoDr Wiqar Shaikh professor of Medicine Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals said several states have put restrictions on New Year festivities and have also announced mini lockdowns closing down malls spas gyms theatres and multiplexes schools and colleges and added that he was surprisedHe fears the states and even the Centre may go for a strict lockdown like the one imposed in 2020 The past two lockdowns already took a heavy toll on the economy and the psyche of people particularly children he added People he said have to earn to live and lockdowns have knocked out a lot of jobsHe added that lockdowns are being imposed without scientific evidence He cited two articlesmdashone by the African Development Review published in July 2021 and another by the American Institute of Economic Research published in December 2020 and later updated in 2021 Both concluded that lockdowns did not control the spread of Covid19Dr Shaikh said he also fears a repeat of the early 2021 when several states went to polls ldquoCovid19 safety rules had gone for a toss during the rallies and the consequence was the Delta wave that killed and infected lakhs of people We once again have elections in some states and rallies have begun With the onset of the third wave mainly fuelled by Omicron one shudders to think what would be the impact of these ralliesrdquo he said and urged the authorities to have a uniform policy for both the common man and the political classDonrsquot trigger mental health issuesDr Sanjay Kumavat senior psychiatrist and former deputy director Mental Health Maharashtra said ldquoIt is unfortunate that the state administration has failed drastically to enforce Covid19 protocols at the ground level and it is being shielded by the government which is threatening yet another lockdown It would lead to further mental health issues like depression emotional distress and even social agonyrdquoKumavat said his friend flew to Indore from Mumbai two days ago with a negative RTPCR report and his final vaccination certificate but these were neither checked while entering the Mumbai airport nor while exiting the Indore airport Even the recent wonderland Bandra reclamation gathering shows a total system failureldquoThe state government must ensure Covid19 protocols are followed stringently instead of giving a kneejerk reaction by calling for a lockdown A lockdown wonrsquot work this time The first one led to massive job losses migrant exodus and adversely impacted the economyrdquoCovid rules inevitableDr Santosh Bansode HoD Emergency Medicine Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central said ldquoPeople should avoid mass gatherings New Year parties or any function with mass gatherings Travel should be restricted as much as possible Employers should encourage their staff to work from home or work with half the strength Properly fitted mask is a must while travelling and at work Physical distancing and hand hygiene are crucial If an employee or their relative tests positive they should isolate for a week and inform their HRrdquo