India's Worsening Covid Situation

India is witnessing another terrific wave of the infamous coronavirus commonly known as the second wave. While the pandemic begins to die down in the other parts of the world, India is battling with the virus with more than 400K cases each day. While the never-ending disease brings with it an hour of panic, misery, and losses, the people of India are fighting much more than just the emotional and mental stress.

India’s lack of proper medical facilities is becoming a cause of worry for those affected by the coronavirus. Other nations including the US, Russia, and Germany are stepping in, providing healthcare equipments and facilities. On the other hand, the common man of India still struggles to get a hospital bed and an oxygen cylinder to save his life.

The beginning of the second wave

The month of March marked the beginning of the second covid wave in India. The cases that had reduced to a count of 10k suddenly spiked up and have reached a mark of 400k today. The possible reasons given for this are India’s political rallies, religious events, and special events such as the Kumbh.

Indian Government had a huge time of around eight months where it could have worked upon the healthcare systems, oxygen plants, and vaccination drives. But, the leaders were busy preparing for their political rallies that invite huge gatherings and can easily become a source of infection for thousands of people.

Since India hosts a huge population of 1.3 billion people, it was known that India would take a huge span of time to get its people vaccinated. Still, owing to the slow and inconsistent efforts of the Government, India has only 2% of its population fully vaccinated.

Worsening health facilities

A common person in India still struggles outside every hospital crying for a bed and oxygen cylinders to save the life of his loved one. The fight for beds is growing with the rising cases. Of the few who are able to get admitted to the hospital, the staff is providing no details of his condition to his family. With people spending nights at the hospital gates, to 10 people seeking oxygen supply from the same cylinder, the country, and healthcare has failed its people.

Several reports have been published which show that the Indian media is hiding the true count of cases and deaths. Also, the political leaders are trying hard to maintain their images in front of people by getting false reports published and playing the blame game.

Where people are unable to seek help from the government, they are themselves forming groups and websites to help each other in the time of need. They are donating money and health equipments including oxygen cylinders to help save lives and improve the situation.

Help and Relief

Other countries such as the US, Russia, and Germany are helping India in its time of need by gifting instruments such as oxygen concentrators, cylinders, and transportation tankers. Online websites made and run by the common people of India are reaching out to the ones in need by procuring the required help.

Open grounds and railway trains are being converted into centers containing beds treating the patients. Doctors and front line workers are trying hard to improve the conditions and while each one of us prays for those battling the disease

The nation is not witnessing a complete lockdown, but most of the states have imposed lockdowns in its most affected cities. Shops supplying necessary materials such as groceries and medicines remain open while the rest of the citizens are advised to stay at home to avoid infections.

Vaccination

Currently, two vaccines are being made available to the citizens- covaxin and Astrazeneca which are manufactured by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute in the country. But, in-ground reality, it’s not that easy to get yourself vaccinated. Government’s website Co-Win which books appointments for vaccinations crashed on the very first day of its launch due to the huge traffic.

Hospitals, that are taking appointments for vaccinations on the website do not even have the vaccines when approached in person. Vaccine shortage is another issue that the country is dealing with at this point in time. With the stealing of vaccines in hospitals, to medical drugs like remdesivir, India battles with one of the worst situations it has ever witnessed. With the worsening conditions, all we can offer is prayers and condolences to those who are going through the pain.

Conclusion

As the country deals with the pandemic, there are certain things that we need to learn from it. The Government and the people need to work upon the health system as and when the country recovers. Even today, the Indian media and journalists are not loyal to its audience by providing exact figures and possible help, but are manipulating the situation to their benefit.

While the count continues to rise and situation worsens, India needs to be careful the next time it chooses the leaders who run the country. At the end, we all need to remember that it wasn’t anything else such as territory or power we were fighting for but, oxygen.