Over the next few weeks, it looks certain that the public at large will need to be ready to hear the word ‘unlock’ in equal or more measure to the now-familiar word ‘ lockdown’.
The reason being the government’s renewed efforts to try and get the economy back on track, by further relaxing many facets that would involve a lot more people form large groups across locations.
The obvious question to ask is: Is India ready for this? After over two months of showing discipline (the levels of which went from awesome to disappointing with each passing stage), India and its people almost want no more of it.
It is evident from the increased number of bikes and cars, by the restarting of buses and constant honking and screeching of auto rickshaws. That said, the opening of the economy comes at a time when the numbers reflect a contrasting reality.
If a mountaineer was to see India’s coronavirus graph, he might be tempted to attempt climbing it in virtual reality. What seemed like the growth of a small mountain at the outset of lockdown one has now blossomed into a full, blown range with a rise in elevation every single day.
The numerics put things in perspective:
Between March 25 and April 13: The highest number of cases seen in one day was 918, that was observed on April 12. Interestingly, not once in lockdown one did India’s per day cases surpass 1000.
April 14-May 3: In the second lockdown, lasting for 20 more days, the numbers worsened even though restrictions remained almost the same. Signs were beginning to emerge of the virus well-and-truly starting to cause havoc.
On the stroke of its conclusion, the tally hit its peak at 2487. The warning bells were starting to ring and ring hard and to add more worry for those monitoring its cause, news broke that it was asymptomatic, thereby enhancing the anxiety among the public further.
May 4-May 17: The phase when things truly turned for the worse for India. The opening day of this lockdown also marked the shutters opening up at alcohol outlets across India and as if the invitation was enough, thousands lined outside shops to take home their favourite alcohol brand.
The lowest number of cases India has seen in a day since then has been 2487, seen on May 3. The highest- 8380, May 31. Never have the cases number for one day dipped below the 2000-mark in the last month.
Amidst all this and more, it cannot get more apparent for the common man that the government is committed to saving livelihoods and trying to save the economy, in turn with it.
But the manner is frightening. By letting the common man have his way for a large part of the day. By letting him do what he wants, wander where he wants.
The precedent set is a dangerous one and it is hoped that it doesn’t lead to a situation where they have to take two steps backwards after having taken one step forward.
But, looking at it from another perspective, could the government have gambled by opting to go for a move like that? Could it have, with a gigantic rise in numbers daily, have imposed restrictions as strict as the ones that were imposed during lockdown one?
Had it done so, there would have been an uproar in the country. It would have but been a natural reaction. And yet, one wonders if it would not have been such a bad thing to do to save lives.
Starting Monday, India enters its final seven days before which a lot more activity in usually-crowded places kickstarts yet again.
Like lockdown one, the consequences of unlock one also remains a mystery to everyone.
