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Monday, 7 June 2021

NDTV and the Vaccination fiasco

 

EXCERPTS FROM AN NDTV DEBATE THIS MORNING – I DO NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THE FACTS.

 

The ‘My way or the Highway’ Government has now done a complete U turn and that is not surprising. It has happened repeatedly  in the past.

After abandoning responsibility entirely, and leaving the states to fend for themselves, the Centre has now said that ‘Vaccinations for all will be the responsibility of the Centre and the same will be free’. However, they are now blaming the states for the fiasco by saying that some Chief Ministers did not agree with the policy of the centre earlier on!

While the U turn is a welcome move – pray why the total confusion earlier on? What strength did the Government display by giving in to a few Chief Ministers- IF they did make unreasonable demands which is still being debated and denied by the opposition parties?

Why has there been so much suffering, hundreds and thousands of deaths and a complete breakdown of the Healthcare system, if the government was in control?

Why did the government drag their feet and be among the last countries to order vaccines? The order itself is still insufficient by a mile.

When everyone else placed orders for vaccines in early and mid-2020, whey did India wait till Jan- Feb 21? Most countries have their orders in place till 2023- 24! Why this inordinate delay?

Why did India export vaccines and vow to be ‘saviour of the poor’ when their own people were running from pillar to post to get vaccinated? They still are!

Has the supreme court finally stood up and said ‘Enough is enough ‘and forced the hand of the government?

Hope better sense has finally prevailed. It’s never too late to make amends.

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Meanwhile – lockdowns are easing all over the country and people are out shopping, partying & enjoying themselves – Masks, social distancing, and in fact the pandemic itself, have been unfortunately, forgotten, and common sense thrown to the wind. If that is not a recipe for a disaster – what is?

For what it’s worth, the Government is wisely, still trying to impose some restrictions on travel and gatherings etc, but the common man couldn’t care less.  They are being fined, lathi charged, arrested, locked up and beaten but that seems to have had little effect.

Then there are so many who are still against the vaccine which is surprising. Vaccine hesitancy is so strange. Vaccines are the only protection right now.

Many medical professionals have predicted a third wave, which promises to be as bad, if not worse than the first and second. The vengeance of the second wave was scary. We all know so many people that lost family and loved ones. Our WhatsApp messages carried sad news every other day in February, March, and April.  

Are we preparing for the third wave? Are we taking precautions?

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