All across the world a good number of countries have started to administer COVID-19 vaccines to their population, as authorized by their individual governments and regulatory authorities. Luckily, in Bhutan we are not talking of vaccines as yet, and that, to my mind, is a good thing. Let us give it few months before we decide if the vaccines are safe, in addition to being effective.
On the other hand some of us in Bhutan are pleading with the government to extend the current lockdown by few more days - until the recent surge in new cases are brought under control, or until we are able to determine what is the cause behind this sudden surge in new cases. A glimmer of hope is that we had only 6 new cases yesterday - an encouraging drop in cases for the first time since the announcement of our second lockdown.
It is encouraging that some Dzongkhags have not reported any cases. Is that a cause for relief and rejoice for the people of these Dzongkhags? Or should they worry that perhaps their active cases remain undetected and unreported. What are the chances that there may be cases that are simmering to spiral out of control? Have we done enough to determine that they truly are free of positive cases? Do you think we need to find out – to be certain beyond doubt – before we heave a sigh of relief?
Certainly the arrival and administration of the vaccines is good news. Now we have to grit out teeth and wait a few months to see that in their wake the vaccines have not unleashed a Lucifer even more deadly than the COVID-19.
But one thing is for sure – the onus is on us to do the right thing – to behave responsibly and follow instructions as determined and proven to be necessary. While the government does not have a monopoly on common sense and wisdom, it certainly has better access to know better.
No comments:
Post a Comment