No room for complacency 

Imlisanen Jamir

It’s the kind of good news we could get used to. Nagaland’s COVID-19 positivity trend over the past two weeks has been quiet re-assuring, especially following the large number of cases which had been reported previously. 

But getting used to it might be the worst thing we could do. Complacency in the face of this pandemic; letting down our guard with the belief that it will soon be all over, could open the door to a resurgence.

There was panic and admittedly isolated extreme reaction to a sudden spike in the number of cases prompting the government to impose week long total lockdowns in Dimapur and Kohima. Data revealed that cases from amongst security forces had caused the high rise in positivity. 

Three weeks since, their numbers have drastically decreased thereby significantly bringing down the positivity rate of the State. 

The percentage of armed forces contribution to positive cases in the State stood at 43% as of August 31.  Returnees and travelers account for 32% of the caseload and frontline workers are 7% of the total positive cases. Worryingly, the percentage of positive traced contacts has now increased to 18%. 

The actual picture of the pandemic in the community will likely emerge over the coming weeks as testing increases. All this, while unlocking of economic activity and relaxing public movement is already underway, as streets buzz with activity similar to pre-COVID times. 

Given the activity seen along with the relaxation of lockdown measures, people seem to have already forgotten about the threat still being posed by the virus. Despite the calm in the State, India is fast becoming the world's new virus epicenter, setting a record for the biggest single-day rise in cases as experts predict that it'll soon pass Brazil and ultimately the United States as the worst outbreak globally. 

The reassuring data makes it easier for governments to implement more relaxations. Already travel, quarantine and assembly regulations have been significantly relaxed. Moreover, fatigue on the part of frontline workers and public, along with the economic impacts of the pandemic on a large section of people, is visible.  While on paper, the guidelines call for strict compliance of health and safety rules, its adherence and enforcement appears to be lackadaisical.

But listening to experts who say we are not out of the woods yet is crucial. This is going to be a long and protracted battle. Practices such as wearing a mask in public, staying safe distance from other people and frequent hand washing buy time. Not time until the virus is gone. But time until a vaccine and effective treatments are developed.

People need to have longer memories.

Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com