Imlisanen Jamir
This week will be pivotal in the State’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with Kohima and Dimapur imposing weeklong lockdowns in order to break the chain of transmission. One hopes that the State authorities will be able to use this time to go for aggressive testing, contact tracing and isolation measures.
But it must also be remembered that much of the focus on battling COVID-19 has fallen on the efforts of the government. The new normal requires a society to take non-negotiable measures, and the State has struggled to do this ever since the relaxation of the initial lockdown measures.
Nagaland is currently in a difficult position in which the ailing economic may no longer tolerate another lockdown. But to return to the streets, offices and schools, experience of other States, where relaxation has resulted in a spike in infections, are lessons we needs to study to ensure that the restrictions pay off.
The truth is, however, that the daily battle falls on the shoulders of all of us. The virus transmits from person to person, not from the government. So it is our actions that drive the spread. When our actions are selfish, that increases the likelihood of spread.
From being callous about wearing masks and washing hands to gathering with friends, family and colleagues, our behavior needs to change. Some of this is human nature, but some of it is just selfishness, looking out for number one rather than thinking of those around us.
This needs to change.
The risks of virus transmission remains high, and given what has been with public behavior in the State Nagaland seems not ready for an easing of the large-scale social restrictions, let alone to embrace the “new normal”, which requires strict compliance with health protocols on the part of society to contain the spread of COVID-19.
We need to act for the good of all, not for the good of ourselves. We need to fight the virus as a society, but each part of that fight is on the individual level, each of us doing what we can to stop the spread. We should all act as if we might be infected, and behave accordingly to avoid giving it to others.
So follow the guidance. Follow the instructions. And don’t look for a way of bending the rules to suit ourselves. Medical experts are giving this advice for a reason – so follow it.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
