Our irresponsible citizens

It is now beyond any doubt that this virus is going to stay for a much longer period than was originally expected. While convalescent plasma therapy did not show any significant benefit in reducing mortality risk among Covid-19 patients, a vaccine to cure or prevent a person from Covid-19 is still a far cry. An interim analysis of a randomised controlled trial done at AIIMS (New Delhi) to assess the efficacy of this mode of treatment has not been able to confirm any clear mortality benefit of convalescent plasma therapy during a trial conducted among 30 Covid-19 patients. The therapy involves taking antibodies from the blood of a person who has recovered from Covid-19 and transfusing those into an active coronavirus infected patient to help kickstart the immune system to fight back the infection. WHO on the other hand has said that while some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of mild Covid-19, there are no medicines that have been shown to prevent or cure the disease. The WHO website says it does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for Covid-19. However, while there are several ongoing clinical trials of both western and traditional medicines, WHO is coordinating to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat Covid-19. But, while the search for an effective vaccine is on, what is more alarming is the indifferent attitude displayed by a section of people across the state towards adhering to the simple and doable protocols that have been announced by the authorities time and again in the past six months. What prevents this section of people from adhering to the simple protocols is not understood, and is definitely highly condemnable. Any sensible and responsible person, irrespective of whether he or she is literate or illiterate will tell that the basic preventive measures like wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and cleaning hands frequently are most effective ways to keep away from Covid-19. Unfortunately, the majority of people who have remained indifferent and have displayed irresponsible behaviour are the so-called educated, well-off and urban. It is for this section of our citizens that Health Minister Sarma has been compelled to sound the alarm bell saying that management of Covid-19 would not be possible in case the present trend of indifferent and irresponsible attitude of the citizens continues.