It is no longer just a possibility. It’s really happening. Both fresh cases of Covid-19 and the number of deaths caused by it have risen sharply over the last few days. Yet it seems all the government can do is helplessly plead with the people to follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), even though a vast majority of them just doesn’t seem to care for some reason. Hospital admissions are also on the rise, especially in Punjab, which gives rise to yet more risks. It’s bad enough that a lot of people are falling victim to the coronavirus once again, but the situation becomes much worse when hospitals are full and doctors start getting sick. For that not only adds to the overall number but also compromises those who can help others defeat the disease. Now it seems another lockdown is inevitable. And the common people are to blame; it is as simple as that. If only the majority of common Pakistanis had listened to the government’s warnings over the last few weeks and done the bare minimum needed to protect themselves and others, such a situation would never have arisen. And all they had to do was wear masks and maintain a minimum distance from other people when out and about in public. The onset of winter is making things that much worse and people with curable viruses are also becoming potential victims of Covid-19 because of reduced immunity levels. No doubt the biggest problems will arise when the economy starts suffering from the lockdown that is surely coming. Already government servants are lining up in Islamabad to protest against rising prices, reduced wages, and a generally pretty unaffordable life in the service of the state. Now who is to blame if a lot more people lose their jobs and some things become even more expensive as demand rises and supply lines are shut down tight? Then everybody will follow the rules because everything will be closed and they will be forced to stay indoors and safe. If only they had listened earlier and kept the situation from deteriorating so rapidly, the whole country would have been better off for it. There is still time for those who will listen. This second wave, which is surely coming, can be controlled right here and not be allowed to spread any further. But for that every single Pakistani will have to play a very responsible role. *