FIGHTING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
STEPS THE GOVT MUST TAKE 1 AGGRESSIVE, RANDOM TESTING
Aggressive and random testing is crucial, even for people who show no symptoms. Random testing is done to identify people who are carriers
2 INCREASE HEALTH CARE CAPACITY
Since Indian cases are largely travel-related, strict screening is needed at air, sea ports, etc. Increasing labs, procuring more test kits and better equipping hospitals will also help
3 ROPE IN PRIVATE SECTOR
India’s private sector has a massive and well-equipped network of labs to carry out viral testing. Pvt hospitals can also be used to ease burden of overloaded govt hospitals
4 CONTACT LISTING, FOLLOW-UPS
International travellers, contacts of positive cases must be strictly followed up even after their initial tests in order to pick up people who develop symptoms early
5 CONSIDER PRE-EMPTIVE LOCKDOWN
China’s area-specific lockdown has nearly wiped out new cases in the country. It is a model that has also been applied in other countries such as Italy and Iran, but not until it was too late
STEPS YOU MUST TAKE
1 NEVER CONCEAL SYMPTOMS
Do not take a paracetamol before boarding the plane to avoid getting picked up in thermal screening at airports. If you have symptoms, report it to authorities immediately
2 TAKE SELF-QUARANTINE SERIOUSLY
Home quarantine is key to ensure infections don’t spread. So if you’ve come in contact with a confirmed patient, you must avoid all physical contact with others for 14 days
3 DON'T BE AFRAID OF ISOLATION WARDS
For those who get infected, hospital isolation is vital. Evading isolation wards means you are putting not just your life, but also the lives of others in danger
4 FOLLOW STRICT HYGIENE
Washing hands with soap or an alcohol-based hand rub is very important. Following cough etiquette such as coughing/sneezing into your elbow is also key
5 CUT OUT NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
Mass gatherings and travel through high-footfall areas can be hot-bed for spreading or contracting infection, which is why government advises to refrain from both