Since March this year the COVID-19 pandemic has pretty much held the world hostage. Normalcy is a thing of the past as we are having to be extra careful while stepping out, or even indoors so as we do not fall prey to the virus. But if one does, one needs to go into isolation and take the prescribed medicines needed to get better. COVID can be handled if the proper steps are followed.
Sadly many people do not understand this. Recently at least 3 separate cases in Kolkata came out of carriers who knew they were positive, but still ventured out be it for work or to pass the time. In doing so they put many at risk of exposure. While they have been caught and quarantined, the question is, do adults need to be told what to do? Don't they know better??
Forget Kolkata, this is a problem all over India. People are aware that their being among others is a risk to the public but still they choose to put them in harm's way. Not the ideal way to go if the aim is to prevent transmission.?
One cannot call it negligence, nor stupidity, it is just plain criminal. Why? Because you are knowingly jeopardising the lives of others. You may have no regard for your own life, but nothing gives you the right to put others in danger.?
Not too long ago, a 'super spreader' in South Korea was considered equivalent to a murderer as the virus had spread far and wide. So why not deal with these people the same way? Perhaps only then they will learn.?
Had they not known they were COVID positive one could say they were negligent, but with the knowledge they have, this is not reckless, it is irresponsible.?
However harshly the authorities can enforce tabs on these individuals, the will to stay indoors and keep others safe has to come from within. If they have no moral sense to the right thing, fines or jail will not change them. What they need to ask themselves is what if the roles were reversed and they got COVID thanks to the criminal act of a similar person. Maybe that will give them a sense of responsibility.?
In India, over 32 lakh people are infected while almost 60,000 have died. Worldwide 2.4 crore have been affected with fatalities in excess of 8.2 lakh.