Why is Every Indian Model Failing in the Corona Virus War?
India is engaged in a fight against the corona virus. But, some ‘successful models’ have been celebrated in the country and talk has been made to implement them all over the country. However, experts say that celebrating in such haste can lead to dangerous situations going forward.
Agra in Uttar Pradesh is famous for Taj Mahal all over the world. But, Agra lived in select cities in India where the first positive case of corona virus epidemic was revealed in early March itself.
Agra Model Discussions
Throughout March, cases of Corona continued to come here, but the rate of spread of infection definitely decreased. This is where the ‘Agra model’ was born in the war against Corona.
It started trending on social media as a hashtag. The central government also praised it and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath was given credit for this success.
But within a few days things started changing. With the onset of April, the cases of corona infects began to double rapidly and the initial success collapsed. This model largely relied on vigorously closing the affected areas and isolating corona suspects. However, the virus spread to new areas. In such a situation, the government had to think of other options, including aggressive testing.
There are now more than 600 cases in Agra, which is more than any district in the state. Along with this, the much hyped Agra model also disappeared from the news.
It is dangerous to lose caution in haste to celebrate
Principal virologist Dr. Shahid Jameel says that this proves that there are big risks involved in the initial celebration.
He says, “People start loosening in a hurry of celebration and it can prove to be very dangerous.”
Many experts like Dr. Jamil point out that there is very little information about this novel corona virus. It is known about this only at the end of last year. This means that scientists have not got enough time to study about it.
He says, “This is what makes Kovid-19 extremely dangerous.” For example, the discovery that this virus can be found in the spit of affected people for up to 30 days.
He explains, “In such a situation, you cannot believe that this battle is won by merely treating your patients successfully. You have to be more vigilant and this is the only option.”
In Agra, the authorities did not delay in deciding the container zones and they also aggressively undertook contact tracing.
Says Dr. Jamil, “But, it did not mean that we would start celebrating because it threatened to drain the entire work done by the officials.”
The success of the same model is not possible everywhere
Another problem in celebrating such models is that other states and districts also start adopting them.
Lalit Kant, associated with epidemiology, warns from such practice.
He says, “These types of models are based on their own terrain and cannot be implemented elsewhere. Certainly we must try to learn from different models.”
Let’s take the example of Kerala. Kerala has been investing heavily on its healthcare network for years. When the corona virus knocked over the state, he was fully prepared to fight it.
The officers identified the patients, isolated them and treated them. Kerala also used technology for contact tracing as well as quickly identified hotspots to prevent the virus from spreading.
But, does this make Kerala a successful model?
Nodal officer for treatment of Kovid-19 in Ernakulam district, Dr. Fatehuddin considers it wrong to call a model of any place a successful model.
He says, “We have seen cases coming again in some areas of Kerala. There are some cases where we have not been able to know the means of infection.”
They say that things are changing so fast with this virus that no one can afford to take rest.
He says, “If you celebrate on such models, you will have to answer to those who die.”
Doctor Fatehuddin says that scientists should study such models, but they do not have time to do so.
He says that the problem starts when politicians start declaring success without any scientific approval.
“Politicians often do not understand that what is working in Kerala will not work in densely populated areas like Dharavi in Mumbai,” he said.
Instead, Doctor Kant believes that most of these models rely on preventing people from getting out. But they still failed to stop the virus.
He says, “In such a situation this difference has to be understood. All the factors like people’s behavior, population density, travel history and health infrastructure should be looked at. Models can be prepared, they cannot be adopted.” . “
Public health expert Anant Bhan agrees. He believes that every state and even every district should assess their own response.
He says, “In a large and diverse country like India, no single model can work.”
Bhan says that to put a hawk on such success of models also puts the frontline workers at risk.
For this reason, you should try to accept positive matters and learn from such places where things are going well, but in any case you should not celebrate.
What succeeded in Bhilwara did not work in Jaipur
Rajasthan is a state that proves that only one model cannot be implemented in two places.
The state government was successful in preventing the virus from spreading in Bhilwara, but there are difficulties in doing so in the state capital Jaipur.
The success of some global models is also being celebrated and Singapore is one of them.
The spread of Singapore’s virus spread all over the world. Congratulations started from everywhere. But, a second wave of virus arrived in Singapore and now has to declare lockdown.
Dr Liang Ho Nam, an expert on infectious diseases at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore, said that Singapore has done a good job in measures like social distancing.
He says, “But, this virus is rapidly ingested. The risk of it coming is always there and it also makes a comeback.”
He says that after shortcuts or celebrations, you have to face great difficulties later. He says, “Only a super-spreader can end your success and no country in the world is in a position to take such a risk.”
