India's Corona Strategy Is Very Amoebic

It is primarily focussed on curbing mass transmission, rather than managing and treating the virus infection

- T Jacob John

The government took charge of the fight against Covid-19 right from the beginning the first week of February. The first port of virus entry happened to be Kerala. Infection coming through individuals flying in from affected communities was blocked. Travellers at risk were identified, quarantined, tested, contacts traced and quarantined. The Centre was involved from day one. Kudos to the Centre for staying well ahead of the invisible enemy and blocking its lateral spread.

On March 19, the Prime Minister addressed the citizens for the first time regarding the coronavirus, reassured that the battle was going well and called fora 14-hour janata curfew (stay-at-home campaign), for the whole of India on Sunday, March 22. It was a success. And now, the Prime Minister has announced a more severe 21-day lockdown, starting March 25.

That said, dig a little deeper and we see flaws. What cannot escape the virologists, epidemiologists and healthcare professionals’ notice is that the government’s strategy is not based on sound principles of science or management. These fears are being aired only in bits and pieces through some of the media; but who should the people believe?

Reacting to the virus

The first flaw is hubris on the part of the government, which has led to epidemiological intelligence being placed on the backburner. The government’s battle strategy is not science-based and proactive but reactive, confronting the enemy wherever it chooses to appear and fighting a thousand battles simultaneously. This enemy tactic was seen in many countries. India has no war-room thinking, just heroic fighting.