Covid crisis: Preparing for the worst

Torn between the two competing pressure groups, both equally well intentioned maybe, the Government seems to want to keep the status quo -- i.e. an unofficial lockdown with the hope that the stuttering vaccination campaign will get to better footing in the next few weeks and months, and the citizenry will better understand the need to stay safe.

Given the snowballing complaints from an increasing number of sectors, the farmers, the fishermen and now the nurses, the Government seems to be in no mood to earn their wrath further with stringent lockdowns whatever the other consequences. It is on a weak wicket and unable and unwilling to give priority to the voices of the health experts. The health sector has been stretched beyond imaginable limits due to the virus resulting in the increasing number of cases. Unlike the war with the terrorists which was sporadic and in intervals until the final battle, this war with the virus has been a 24/07/365+ battle since the beginning of last year, and this explains the frustration of those in the health sector leading to the string of resignations on their part.

One might empathise with the Government for having to deal with this Hobson's Choice. It slipped up and lost the initiative it had in tackling Wave 1, but then under pressure from the ‘open the economy’ group lost the plot and allowed the free fall of the virus in Waves 2 and 3. If the worst is yet to come, as the health experts warn, with the new Delta variant looking ominous, what contingencies are in place is something the people better be forewarned about as soon as possible.