Public cooperation alone will ensure end to the pandemic

Photo for representational purpose

The results of the test drive by this paper on Tuesday should have us all very worried. Despite strict rules in place about allowing only those doubly vaccinated, they seem to be flouted everywhere, be it malls, shopping centres, buses and public places run by the civic body.

While it is up to the authorities to put out rules and regulations, it is entirely up to us to ensure that they are followed. It is shocking that adults prefer to behave like unschooled urchins and go about flouting rules meant primarily to keep us safe.

Scientists and doctors have spoken themselves hoarse on the need to follow COVID protocol for as long as possible, yet we somehow feel we know better than these experts.

The world over it has been proven again and again that breaking rules can be devastating. Shocking numbers of cases and deaths emerging from developed nations like the US and in Europe owing to people refusing to be vaccinated or even to mask up should have us reaching out for our masks and heading to the nearest vaccination centre.

Governance isn't easy, especially not when it involves crores and crores of people with diametrically opposing views of things. Going against the government may work when the issue is political or when it does not involve people's heath. This is a pandemic, where every invidual decision can be potentially life-altering, for ourselves and for those around us.

We have reiterated over and over again in this space that we have no right to infect others, wilfully or inadvertently; and deliberately not getting vaccinated or masking up in public spaces amounts to wilful harm.

Let us endeavour to be more mindful as a community. This is not the time for ego or for misinformation to be propagated, but for us to realise that it is only together that we can defeat this pandemic.