Covid is active, emergence of new variants show it

Covid-19 pandemic maintaining it’s low intensity right now does not mean that it is over but reports about the new variants infecting people in states like Gujrat show that pandemic is still a threat in one or the other part of the country. If the new variants of the virus have entered one or two states in the country, the spread of them to other parts of the country including Jammu & Kashmir can not be ruled out this time when there are no restrictions on the movement of the people within or outside the country and tourist season has commenced early this month. In the changing pandemic scenario the strict adherence to covid protocols and vaccination for the unvaccinated populations are the only ways to stop surge in the spread of both old and new variants of the pandemic in Jammu & Kashmir like other parts of the country. The reports about 24 students testing positive for covid-19 pandemic at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hazratbal Srinagar show that high intensity pandemic can return to Jammu & Kashmir also and educational institutions not showing adherence to covid appropriate behaviour can become the epicenters of a new wave of pandemic any time in coming months. While the government has advised a booster shot to those who have vaccinated Ist and second doses, the people are not taking care of the covid-19 protocols despite warning of health specialists that virus will still stay for some more time in Jammu & Kashmir like many states and union territories of the country. The fluctuations in the no of positive cases in Jammu & Kashmir is also a wakeup call for both the law enforcers and as well as the people and more so in Kashmir valley where the no of daily positive cases has not come down to Zero even once in last two months.

While the vaccination of the unvaccinated populations and making booster dose free instead of paid has to be a priority for the government, the people have not to show any hesitancy in responding to covid-19 vaccination initiatives besides strictly adhering to covid appropriate behaviour at all public places particularly parks, gardens, shopping malls, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and government offices both in Kashmir valley and as well as Jammu division. 

Unfortunately people in Kashmir are not adhering to covid appropriate behaviour even at crowded places including parks, gardens, shopping malls, schools, colleges, hospitals, universities and government offices. Jammu recording no positive case in recent days shows that people in Jammu division are strictly adhering to covid appropriate behaviour (CAB). While the vaccination of the unvaccinated populations and making booster dose free instead of paid has to be a priority for the government, the people have not to show any hesitancy in responding to covid-19 vaccination initiatives besides strictly adhering to covid appropriate behaviour at all public places particularly parks, gardens, shopping malls, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and government offices both in Kashmir valley and as well as Jammu division.