Early warning signs of a Covid comeback have come in. Four cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 have been now detected in India after wreaking havoc in China. The Central government has already advised caution, with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya appealing to people to get the booster dose and wear masks, maintain social distancing and use sanitisers during the festive season. The topic echoed in the Lok Sabha, with States asked to increase genome sequencing. In addition, the Indian Medical Association has advised avoiding public gatherings like marriages, political or social meetings and international travel. Mandaviya also appealed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to consider suspending his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Goa is in its peak festive season, and the latest Covid outbreak in China and United States comes as a scare in the background. Lest we forget, the first onset of Covid, which happened in the latter part of 2019, made its presence felt in India only in February-March 2020, with Goa caught off guard and underprepared. What followed in the next 18 months was one of the worst human tragedies witnessed in Goa, with deaths mounting uncontrollably. The medical fraternity worked overtime and was helpless as the virus dealt killer blows daily. The horrors of Covid have left scars that will remain for eternity.
Surprisingly, while the world is bracing to face the new virus, Goa's tourism industry stakeholder, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, is optimistic and has stated there's "nothing to panic about". Yes, the situation is not panicky, but there has to be caution. In the exuberance of festivity, the State and its people have often been carried away and burst out into a frenzy, showing scant concern for the lurking dangers. If we recall, the 2021 Carnival opened the floodgates for a second wave as the State soaked in the splendour of the festival with a punchline "the show must go on". The show did go on, but it inflicted immeasurable pain and left a trail of deaths.
According to reports, nearly 5.37 lakh new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours, with countries like the US, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil being affected, besides China. The BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron is said to be highly contagious, immunologically evasive and has greater transmissibility. The worry is that even if there is good vaccine coverage, the long duration since vaccination leaves individuals vulnerable. Also, experts believe that the new variant could counter the antibodies present in people from previous infections or vaccinations. Therefore, to argue that herd immunity will soften the blow is a very vague thought.
It is time to be aware that the virus is spreading, be alive to the evolving situation, and take appropriate measures. Precaution is better than cure, and so goes the adage. The situation may not be alarming, but Goa cannot take it easy because people are vaccinated. Authorities must act sensibly and call for caution rather than adopting a carefree and fearless approach because of the tourism season.
