The Second Wave of Coronavirus has started to create panic and uncertainty!

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The resurgence of COVID-19 in various countries has created uncertainty among the public about lockdowns, new travel restrictions, and closures of businesses. As of yesterday on November 17, 2020, there were 54,771,888 total confirmed cases, and 1,324,249 deaths worldwide. The Americas region, according to the World Health Organization, was reported to having the maximum number of COVID-positive cases; 23,371,968 positive cases were reported. The second most-hit region by coronavirus is Europe, 15,475,400 confirmed cases were reported till yesterday. In Pakistan, 363,380 positive cases have been reported so far, 7,230 people have lost their lives and the total active cases are 30,362.

Rashid Hussain

Pakistan is dealing with a worse situation now regarding the increasing rate of new COVID-positive cases in the country. Until yesterday November 17, 2020, newly reported positive cases were 2208, and 954 coronavirus patients were discharged after they recovered from the disease. About 40 thousand tests are conducted daily in all provinces of the country, the pandemic was spreading at an average of 6.9 % daily until November 17, 2020.

The coronavirus situation in India is creating panic among its public and health workers. But India is dealing with the situation quite well; the total active cases are 4,46,805 which makes 5.1 %, and the recovery rate is 93.52% which is also very good.

In WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 16 November 2020, he said “Health workers on the frontlines have been stretched for months. They are exhausted.”

He said we must do everything we can to protect them, especially during the ongoing period when the virus is spiking and patients are filling hospital beds all over the world. At this moment when some governments have put all of the social restrictions in place, there is once again a narrow window of time to strengthen our key systems.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization has asked all countries to take extreme measures to curb the speedy spread of COVID-19, he further said “Now is the time to invest in the systems that will prevent further waves of the virus. A new collective way forward is needed to ensure that we deliver on the promises of the past and tackle these intertwined challenges together.”

Preparation of vaccines is passing through the final stages, within a few weeks they will be rolling out in some developed countries. Many countries are claiming to have developed COVID-19 vaccines and soon the testing process would end. But even after the administering of the vaccine, the pandemic would not come to a sudden halt; at least this winter, we will have to live with coronavirus.

 A few days ago, at a G-77 ministerial meeting held in New York, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Munir Akram urged the international community to ensure fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccine among all nations. Munir Akram emphasized that the availability and distribution of the vaccine without any discrimination should be made sure. But the critical requirement today is adequate financing to enable our economies to recover from this crisis,” said the Pakistani Ambassador, who is also the president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

As per the BBC report, The National Education Union (NEU) of the United Kingdom, has said in a survey that the number of school-going children affected with coronavirus has risen significantly in the second wave as compared to the first wave of the pandemic. The British Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had previously said that reopening schools was likely to increase transmission of coronavirus.

Pakistani Federal Education Ministry proposes early winter vacations in the educational institutions. On account of the resurgence of coronavirus and rising cases in the country, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has forwarded its recommendations to the provinces regarding the closure of educational institutions. The federal education ministry has proposed three choices; one is to close the educational institutions and primary section of the schools from November 24, 2020, to January 31, 2020. The second option has been suggested to shut the primary section of schools from November 24, Middle schools from December 02, and Higher Secondary Schools should be closed from December 15, 2020, as per the third option.

According to the proposals, the academic session may be ended in May, and Matric, Intermediate examinations should be held in Jun 2021. The final decisions are to be taken in the upcoming meeting of the inter-provincial meeting of Educational Ministers.