Daily Times

Out in the streets of Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, and Karachi, the Pandemic is over because entire population of Pakistan has successfully received two shots of Pfizer vaccine and there is absolutely no risk of getting this deadly infection again. Life has returned to normal and Pakistan has been declared as a COVID-19 free country by World Health Organization (WHO). The travel restrictions by all airlines on green passport has been lifted and even the Corona test is not mandatory any more for people travelling from Pakistan to any destination around the world.

Well, sounds like a dream come true for the poor people of Pakistan who could not afford to stay home during lockdown because they needed to work to survive. Unfortunately, a large majority of the population cannot afford the cost of the test as well as the unknown price of the vaccine. That means the people of Pakistan are left with one option only: Take extreme care and religiously follow the Pandemic SOPs.

There is no denying that government and its institutions together with Allah’s Blessings emerged victorious in their fight against Pandemic during the first wave and partially in the second wave as well. But at the same time, we must not lower guard and give an impression to the people that Pandemic is over, because it is not over, and it is not likely to be over anytime soon. Whereas fatalities in Pakistan due to Pandemic have been much fewer than many of the developed states which had much better medical facilities available to its populace, yet each departed should be mourned alike, and efforts must be made to build on from where we left.

The people of Pakistan must also realize that the government can do little for them if the virus penetrates the lungs, especially in patients with limited immune system

While several vaccination options are available around the world at this time, but it may take years and resources to provide doses at affordable cost to each citizen in a country like Pakistan. That means changes in our lifestyle is not a temporary affair and washing of hands, social distancing, and particularly the wearing of masks may be a permanent personal gadget just like watches or the sunglasses.

While government seems satisfied with its efforts in managing the macroeconomic indicators even at the height of Pandemic with improvement in exports and foreign remittances, it must not give the impression to people that COVID-19 is not a threat to people’s health anymore. Educational institutions may be kept close until the threat of third wave is satisfactorily countered, and once the schools are reopened, the responsible people need to be vigilant in executing the SOPs with additional protocols like spot testing and voluntary provisions of masks, and hand sanitizers to people who cannot afford to replace the used items. Likewise, indoor weddings, restaurants, and other gatherings must not be allowed in a haste, if people would follow SOPs voluntarily, because we are not as dutiful to our civic responsibilities as we should have been.

Pakistan certainly emerged as a surprise package during the first wave of the Pandemic, and miraculously survived the second wave as well, but it must continue its efforts in its fight to avert a third wave without lowering its guard. Surprisingly, the government and the people think that COVID-19 is already over and 30-40 deaths per day attributed to this novel infection is not an issue.

It is important to remind that government may continue its awareness drive with more vigor, keep hammering into people’s mind about the seriousness of the disease and insist on strict implementation of the SOPs. The people of Pakistan must also realize that the government can do little for them if the virus penetrates the lungs, especially in patients with limited immune system.

I would suggest that individuals and groups create protective bubbles around them by reminding, insisting, and helping people working together so that the spread of the disease is controlled. Help elders and sick individuals by staying away from them or else if the interaction is unavoidable, use gloves and masks to ensure that they remain protected.

We can only defeat the potential third wave through protection bubble around us only by following the SOPs strictly, and reduce Pandemic related fatalities to zero.

Dr Zia Ul Haque Shamsi is the author of the book ‘Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan’ published by Peter Lang, New York