Trigger Warning: Mention of death and Covid trauma.
With the single-day spike in COVID-19 cases setting records last week, India’s second wave is feared to be longer and more severe than the first one. However, to believe that this battle would be as smooth(apparently) to handle as the first wave is nothing but indulging in a false sense of security.
Acute shortage of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, pharmaceuticals, plasma, alongside mismanagement of vaccine supply, highlight not just the short-sighted nature of our Government’s strategy to deal with the pandemic- but also glaring inequalities in our social infrastructure.
“India is currently reporting the sharpest growth rate of 7.6% in new Covid cases, which is 1.3 times higher than the case growth rate of 5.5% reported in June 2020,” said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
A record single-day rise of 2,61,500 coronavirus infections has taken India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,47,88,109, while active cases have surpassed the 18-lakh mark, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll increased to 1,77,150 with a record 1,501 new fatalities.
As the second wave of the virus and its various new strains grip the country, netizens have yet again united to fill the gap in infrastructure left by our vague policies and programmes and unhelpful and privileged politicians.
“Aise lag raha hai jaise sarkaar ke paas har hi cheez ke liye wakt hai apne logon ke alawa. Kuch hogaya toh nahi maalum ki kahan jaae, kya karein, kitna kharach ho jaaega. Kaun bataega? Maano sarkaar bol diye ki sab apna apna dekh lo,”( It feels as if the government has the time for everything except its own people. If something happens, we do not now where to go, what to do, and what will the expense be. Who will tell us? It’s as though the government has given up and said everybody fend for yourselves. ) says Harishchandra Pandey, 54.
From forming groups to compiling Covid helpline resources, to creating content that extensively covers where, when and how can one access medical aid, drugs, beds, oxygen- netizens are building a tremendous and reliable space that one can turn to in case of any Covid related emergencies.
While this is truly commendable that people are coming forward to help not just people in their circles but strangers alike- it is equally angering for this reason- has the state forgotten about its people?
Instagram and Twitter are places to connect and share picture and developments with family and friends- but somehow the state believes that these social media apps are enough for people to deal with a deadly virus!
“My father tested Covid positive two weeks back- he had just returned home after travelling for work. Fairly fit for his age, we were extremely terrified when his condition worsened beyond a mild fever. Our family physician asked us to get him admitted immediately. Hospitals full, we struggled to find a bed- a single bed,” says Devika Rajan, 22.
She further added, “No state helpline, no way to find which hospitals have seats available. Desperate for help, I turned to my Instagram connections for help. Within 10 minutes of posting a single story, 4 people reached out to me with Covid resource directories, as well as saw it through that we get there. I don’t know what would have happened otherwise…”
Devika was just one amongst the thousands of others whose families and loved ones have received timely care with the help of strangers on the Internet.
Safdar, 21 says that if not for netizens, they would have never received the plasma they needed for their 27-year-old brother’s severe battle with Covid. “State helplines had given me a bitter experience. They have no mechanism in place- but they won’t tell you that. So, when I reached out on social media, I never expected to find a donor, I only hoped.”
This begs the questions- What are our politicians doing? How are they encouraging and incentivizing people to stay home and wear a mask- if stepping out? What about social security for those impacted most heavily by stringent lockdowns? What is their plan to deal with huge shortages in the supply of PPE kits, beds, oxygen and palliative care?
You may be struggling to keep you and your loved ones alive, but always remember our country’s top politicians care… about your vote! So, here is what our politicians are doing-
Stay Home And Stay Safe… Unless You Have To Vote For Us!
While politicians maintain social distancing, wear masks and stand on elevated stage away from the masses, the same cannot be said about the participants they call upon to join their rally. With turnouts in thousands- unmasked and denying the existence of Covid- the state contradicts itself by setting a dangerous precedent to common people. It says, “Stay home and stay safe…unless you have to vote for us.”
After being called out repeatedly for putting the lives of thousands of people at risk, Rahul Gandhi has called off his rallies in Bengal, and incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee has reduced the duration of her rallies.
The threat of stringent lockdowns setting off another potential migrant labour crisis, severe unemployment gripping the working classes, and a frenzy of people flooding hospitals, overburdened frontline workers with crippling mental health and poor pay. Just as musicians in a bubble on a sinking Titanic, the politicians that the majority of us voted into power look the other way and say, “Propaganda as usual. After all, the show must go on!”
It is in times like these when you face reality- some people and parties will sacrifice you- if that’s what it takes to gain power. Look for red signals. Toxic, manipulative and abusive behaviour is not limited to people. Remember the struggles of commoners and stop finding excuses for people who cannot even see you from their ivory towers.
And as for our dear politicians, we’re terrified to step out to buy bread. You have done absolutely nothing to ease the pain of patients, their families and workers. And you’re holding super spreader rallies. Have you no shame?