Kashmir Can't Afford To Sleepwalk Into Covid

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Signs and scenes of Pandemic that was.

By Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit

Covid-19 never really left. We just stopped talking about it.

Now it's back in the headlines, with numbers ticking upward again. Across India, there are 3,395 active cases. Kerala tops the list with over 1,300. Maharashtra and Delhi follow. In Jammu and Kashmir, just nine new infections have been reported. Nothing major. Nothing alarming. But still, it's back.

The virus behind this small spike is a newer Omicron offshoot called JN.1 and its cousins. They're part of the same family that's been circulating for a while. Doctors say it's clever - it sneaks past some immunity - but not more dangerous.

That's good news. Most cases are mild. Low-grade fever, a dry cough, maybe a sore throat or a runny nose. Sometimes headaches or nausea. In rare cases, people feel too tired to get out of bed.

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So what's the big deal?

That's a fair question. The short answer: we don't want to be caught off guard again. Even if hospital beds aren't filling up, we still need to pay attention. This new variant is good at spreading. It's moving across Asia. And while it doesn't seem severe, we've learned that Covid can be unpredictable. Especially in vulnerable groups - older adults, people with diabetes, or heart problems. For them, even a mild case can take a turn.

Doctors across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, say there's no need to worry. The illness, so far, is manageable. Officials from the Health and Medical Education Department have consulted experts from top institutions. They all agree: this isn't the start of a crisis. But they also say we should stay alert.

How do we do that without slipping back into fear?

It starts with the basics. Watching the numbers. Tracking how the virus changes. Doctors call this genomic surveillance. It's a simple idea. If we know what the virus is doing, we can prepare.

But right now, India doesn't have a consistent system for environmental surveillance. That's a gap. And gaps can turn into problems.

We don't need lockdowns or panic. But we do need caution. Simple steps go a long way. Keep a mask handy, especially in crowded indoor places. Wash your hands. Give people space. And if you're feeling unwell, stay home. Not forever. Just until you feel better.

The challenge is that we're tired. Everyone is. After years of hand sanitizers and cancelled plans, it's easy to get careless. Festivals, birthdays, weddings - these moments matter. But so does our health. Celebrating at home isn't always fun. But in the long run, it might help avoid another wave.

If you live with older parents or grandparents, think of them. They may not say it, but they worry too. Before hugging them, wash your hands. Throw on a mask. Take a minute. It's a small gesture, but it says you care.

And let's not forget: Covid isn't the only thing we're up against. The health system is already stretched. A sudden spike, even a small one, could strain it further. Especially in rural areas where resources are fewer and response times slower.

We've seen how quickly things can change. A new variant, a local surge, or just a superspreader event. These don't need much to get going.

That's why it's smart to stay ready.

This isn't about fear. It's about respect. Respect for the virus, for science, and for each other. We've learned a lot since 2020. Now is the time to use that knowledge. Wear your mask when needed. Carry sanitizer like you carry your wallet. Be kind to people who choose caution.

And listen to the experts. They've trained their whole lives for this. If they say stay calm but alert, that's exactly what we should do.

We don't know what the next few months will bring. Maybe the virus will fade again. Maybe another variant will appear. But if we keep our eyes open, and our habits in check, we'll be ready - this time, without panic.

The truth is, living with Covid doesn't mean pretending it's gone. It means treating it like the weather. You check the forecast. You dress accordingly. You don't ignore the clouds, but you also don't cancel your life.

And if carrying a mask and using hand sanitizer is what helps us get through this with fewer hospital visits and more peace of mind, is it really too much to ask?

Let's not wait for the storm to hit. Let's stay one step ahead.

• Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit is a Gujarat-based journalist, writer, and cartoonist, known for his award-winning work and appearances in the Limca and India Book of Records.

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