Rallies, Deaths, and The Rise of Emergency Medicine Black Market
How one of the largest democracy took COVID-19 for granted
Modi government announced a nationwide lockdown on 24th March 2020, a 21-day lockdown to control the COVID-19 spread that lasted 68 days. A bold move by the government that was lauded by various nations and the UN. Since then, the efforts and control measures were virtually non-existent for ignorant citizens.
Locked in their houses for over two months, people wanted an opportunity to step out and socialize. Road trips, dining out, marriages and for the affluent, a trip to the Maldives saw a rampant rise along with the rise of COVID-19 cases. Soon after India started reporting over 100K cases every day, hospitals were full, doctors were stressed, and police struggled to control the unempathetic unmasked citizens.
But a few months later, India’s COVID-19 cases plummeted, a sharp decline of over 90K cases. A surprising turn of events that baffled everyone. What did India do differently? Are the best practices applicable to other nations? For weeks India reported 9K-12K cases. A pat on the back for everyone. But was the decline a result of learnings from the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, OR was it a natural decline due to herd immunity, OR just a facade to initiate election rallies? Guess we will never know.
The Rallies
Focus and priorities moved from COVID-19 to the upcoming elections. Every political party wanted to defend or win critical regions to maintain their stronghold. Rallies were on a rampant rise; millions gathered to show their support in an imaginary bubble where COVID-19 didn't exist and neither did mask nor social distancing. While police were busy providing protection to the VVIPs, these maskless party promoters became dangerous hosts to promote the infection and support India become the first country to report over 300K cases every day consistently.
Not to ignore the massive support from Kumbh Mela and Holi. A social gathering of devout religious citizens who took a dip in the holy river with millions of other devotees to wash away their sins and in return bring COVID-19 back to their families, friends, and communities.
Could the government control these unwanted gatherings during an ongoing pandemic in a nation that does not have adequate medical facilities and insurance to support a large population? Absolutely. But I blame the citizens, the blind, unempathetic individuals who couldn’t follow the most accessible preventive measure to keep themselves and their families safe by staying at home.
Deaths
Precisely at the anniversary of the first lockdown amidst the vaccination drive, COVID-19 cases were rising. India started reporting over 100K cases and soon became the world’s first country to report over 300K cases two days in a row.
Hospital beds are full, and oxygen supplies are scarce. Doctors came on live TV and social media seeking support while crying in pain due to the unavailability of resources to save their patients. Social media has flooded with messages from people appealing for help to find medicines, hospital beds, and oxygen supplies. Hospitals have become an apocalyptic battleground of families fighting over scarce medical resources for their patients. Snatching medicines or oxygen cylinders from the dead has become an everyday practice for the person in need.
A nation that celebrated the festival of colors a few weeks back now looks ahead in despair to recover from these desperate times. A dark cloud looms over everyone, and life as we know it — is non existent. But not for everyone. The parties, road trips, and socializing did not and may not stop until the authorities take measures to control the most frequently spreading COVID-19 variant in India.
The Black Market
The scarcity of resources to treat COVID-19 patients has fueled the black market demand for these life-saving medicines. Many hospitals have reported medicine thefts in the last few weeks. Remdesivir, an emergency medicine that retails for Rs 899 — Rs 3000 over the counter, is now being sold in the black market for RS 150,000. A price that majority of Indians may not be able to afford.
High courts and the central government has taken initiatives to penalize the pharmacies and increase the production of these medicines. However, until it’s available in abundance for a commoner, its black market value may one day compete with Bitcoin.
It’s our nation, and we need to take control. The only way you can is to stay at home and step out only for emergency services. Do not believe and forward articles without validating. Follow the advice of a certified medical professional. Help anyone you can within your reach. If you or anyone around you feel depressed, do talk about it with someone OR call Aasra +919820466726.
If you need any support, do feel free to reach out to me. Stay home, stay safe.
