Government and scientific establishment have failed

As early as April 2020, molecular biologist Partho Sarothi Ray had warned India of mutant variants and of a deadlier second wave of the coronavirus. Ray is an associate professor in the department of biological sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, and is now abroad on a research project. In a new interview with THE WEEK, Ray discusses India’s response to the second wave. Excerpts:

- RABI BANERJEE

Q/ Where did things go wrong with the response to the second wave?

A/ This is a manmade disaster. [This has happened] because of incompetence, unscientific handling and premature triumphalism by the [Narendra] Modi government.

Q/ Unscientific handling?

A/ In my interview with THE WEEK, as early as in April, 2020, I had stressed the possibility of mutants and the need to prepare for them. Nothing was done. Sequencing of virus samples was not started before December, when the INSACOG (Indian Sars-Cov-2 Genomics Consortium) was set up. I had also spoken about a resurgence with higher mortality.

Q/ Many people say mass vaccination could have prevented the catastrophe.

A/ Vaccination has its limitations. Vaccinating 1.3 billion people in a short while is a logistical impossibility. It is clear now that vaccine production facilities are woefully inadequate. Two doses have to be given to achieve an adequate level of immunity. It should have been made clear that vaccination could not and would not prevent a second wave.

Q/ And what about a possible third wave?

A/ That will also happen. But people who are talking about the third wave in the middle of the second wave, for which they had no preparedness, are just trying to escape responsibility.

Q/ But why did the World Health Organization not warn of a possible second wave in India?

A/ Everyone knew there was going to be a second wave. Europe and the US also had their second waves. This is not rocket science that there should be a special warning for India. And the Indian government was already proclaiming to the world in February that it had defeated Covid-19. It did not care about any warning given by anybody.