The world is tightly under the grip of Coronavirus or COVID-19 because the virus is highly contagious and is incurable as of now. Currently, scientists and medical experts have not been able to find a vaccine or drug for it. However, the only way to prevent the deadly virus spread is opting for a complete lockdown.
A lockdown is a temporary emergency protocol that normally limits people or data from leaving a specific region or area. China, Italy, and some other European countries along with some state in the United States have imposed lockdown to tackle the virus. Besides, in Pakistan, the government has rejected the calls of a complete lockdown but the Sindh government has successfully imposed it.
Lockdown lays a cardinal position in obstructing the lethal virus. China lockdown Wuhan. Wuhan has a population of 11million. Earlier, China hampered inter-city transportation even of medical reasons along with the closing of educational institutes. Thereafter, all shops closed except the medical ones. Vehicles barred, with tight restrictions on the mobility of people. Furthermore, later on, China tightened the restriction, even more, not allowing anyone from leaving home and did widespread medical checkups in the province.
Source: Filipino times
Similarly, Italy after facing severe impacts of the virus, chose to lockdown the country. Currently, Italy is closed with almost zero mobility. The death toll in the county is soaring rapidly as it is now one of the worst affected countries from COVID-19. The Italian government is urging its people to self-quarantine themselves, as they found no other way of controlling the disaster.
Why a lockdown?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no approved drug or vaccine to treat lethal pandemic.
As per WHO the prevention guidelines are as follows.
You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you:
- Do
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell
Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell - Don’t
Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean
The prevention from WHO is exhibiting isolation and distancing. However, people usually do not listen; therefore a lockdown is necessary. Reportedly, the virus can sustain for 10 hours and if people stop socializing, it will eventually die.
Source: CNN
When China can defeat the virus through lockdown, why can’t Pakistan? It is high time for the government to realise the importance of the matter and impose a countrywide lockdown. Sometimes, decisions have to be made on time because unnecessary delays only result in disasters and Pakistan, certainly, cannot afford to have another.
