India’s second wave of COVID-19 has been the subject of multiple headlines globally. The ever-increasing number of infected people, the rising fatalities, and the scarcity of much-needed oxygen have made everyone realize the fickle nature of this virus. What many thought they had conquered has come back with a vengeance, which has brought an entire country to its knees.
India has a long-drawn battle ahead of it. One that can only be won by adhering to rules of social distancing and mask-wearing. In due time, as vaccine production ramps up, getting immunized is the only way forward. It will take time to see the results, but there is no other course.
But what is unfolding in India is an essential lesson for every country, one that the world needs to keep at the forefront as they proceed with their gradual reopening.
Too early and much too soon
India’s crisis was fueled by a series of crowded events, like mass rallies by politicians, religious holidays, large wedding celebrations and the now infamous Kumbh Mela. On all these occasions, people relaxed their vigilance. They didn’t wear masks or keep their social distance, in turn fueling this devastating surge.
This element of complacency is one that most people, and even countries, are guilty of. COVID-Fatigue, a new phrase making the rounds, is maybe to blame. As humans, we crave connections. We want to be close to our loved ones, mingle with like-minded peers and gather and celebrate joyous occasions. There will be time for that. But as India is proof, it isn’t right now.
As many in the media have reported, the devastating second wave in India is the result of a perfect storm. The failure to plan for a second wave, the premature relaxation of public health measures, insufficient vaccination coverage and potentially a more potent variant.
For the world, it is essential to take note of this. Reopening the economy is undoubtedly needed. But a planned phased approach, too, is vital.
Vaccine Equity
By the time the second wave hit India, the Telegraph had reported that almost 10% of the Indian population was vaccinated. That was certainly a lot more than most countries, but it wasn’t enough for a country as diverse as ours.
Today as India struggles to ramp up vaccine production, focus on International health policy needs to take centrestage. The world needs to decentralize vaccine manufacturing. It cannot depend on just three or four countries to make vaccines for everyone. The Economist, in early March, predicted that by the summer of 2021, India’s Serum Institute would be supplying 50% of the world’s Covid vaccines. Now that India has come to a standstill, what does this mean for the world?
For poorer countries and developing nations, getting their population vaccinated is already a big challenge. Now with newer variants, these countries are even more vulnerable. If, say, a continent like Africa was to give up on public health measures, what kind of a devastating surge are we looking at then?
The answer to all this? Vaccine equity – ensuring that every country, developed or developing, has equitable access to the vaccine. This might be the only way we can finally put this pandemic behind us.
As with any infectious diseases, if anyone is left unprotected, then no one anywhere is protected.
Planning for the future
COVID-19 has exposed gaps in the healthcare system of every country. It has forced us to relook at global policy to adapt it to today’s times. But everything we have done until now has been in reactive mode.
However, the plans for the future need to be laid out now, especially since the impact of what has happened and is happening is fresh on our minds. India is a warning for the world. It is proof that we cannot fight this virus in segregation. By the time one country puts out the fire, another spark will get lit somewhere else.
Italy, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and the list can go on, unless we start thinking beyond borders, and come together for the whole of humanity.
