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.
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 30, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin May 30, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
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COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
