A year has passed since the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic after over
a lakh cases of Covid-19 were confirmed across the world, transforming nearly every aspect of
life and livelihood in critical ways. Effective tools have been developed to control the
pandemic, but the repercussions of even momentary complacency have played out in recent
weeks with a surge in coronavirus cases. Downplaying the risk factor, especially with the
emergence of newer variants, is fraught with danger. Some sobering statistics need to be
highlighted to mark 365 days: more than 11.74 crore confirmed cases and 26 lakh deaths in
221 countries and territories.
That eight vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, have been approved
by at least one country indicates a miraculous collaborative effort. Yet, the rollout can only be
seen as a starting point. The race to end the pandemic and reduce it to a sporadic or endemic
disease will be a long-drawn one. Studies predict that most high-income countries will have
vaccinated their populations by early next year, but bigger hurdles need to be overcome: over
80 poor countries will have to wait until 2023. Simply put, the world won’t be back to normal
travel, trade and supply chains until maybe 2024 unless rich countries play a proactive role in
ensuring a level-playing field by waiving patents and supporting delivery. New Delhi’s
outreach in this regard deserves global applause and recognition.
The post-vaccine patterns in Israel and the UK have shown promising results, as the rate of
new infections seems to be declining. Extensive research is already underway the world over
to determine, among other things, how long the protection lasts, whether booster doses are
required and the vaccine’s impact on viral transmission. Until high levels of population
immunity via inoculation are achieved, precautionary measures will have to be kept in place.
Any letup in outbreak responses could mean inviting serious trouble. The year gone by has
been witness to immeasurable pain. Ensuring there’s no repeat demands individual and
collective responsibility.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/one-year-of-pandemic-223985
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