Thread by @b_abhijit

1. As the spectre of another haphazard lockdown is underway across India, why can’t the government come up with a list activities that people can do without much fear? In last one year, the science of COVID19 certainly has learnt a lot about the disease.

2. For example, we now know that chances of corona spreading through fomite transmission (spreading through surfaces) and in outdoor events are much less than large indoor gatherings and poorly ventilated areas.

nature.com/articles/d4158…

3. But all recommendations of our government still sound the same as it used to be a year ago: compulsory mask wearing, no large gatherings, maintaining social distance, etc. As if the science of COVID hasn’t grown at all! It says a lot about our leaders’ scientific temperament

4. What is worse that the leaders, starting from the PM, are violating their own advice at will by conducting huge election meetings and thus creating massive confusion, chaos and panic. In such a crisis, is it too much to expect responsible behaviour from the leadership?

5. Why can’t the government clearly communicate to the people regarding the activities they can perform considering the low probability of transmission through those activities? The poorest of the poor are suffering the maximum for many unreasonable restrictions.

6. Instead of going for a blanket curfew, many activities can be allowed to carry on without fear. Street vending, Dinning in fully ventilated (non AC) environment, travel in non-AC bus and trains without overcrowding and compulsory mask wearing, etc.

7. Allow slums and poor neighbourhoods to carry on with their activities as usual considering low deathrates there. It seems they have better immunity to survive. Economic deprivation is having a much more debilitating impact on their lives than the direct threat from corona.

8. Similarly, declare a logical strategy for vaccination assessing vulnerability of various groups. Communicate to the people the strategy very clearly.
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