Janata versus corona

 As China grows more optimistic about containing the spread of coronavirus within the country, it has been blamed for the threat to the rest of the world where the virus is currently rampaging. Today the world is also pursuing the Chinese strategy of lockdown and quarantines but in a cooperative and democratic manner, unlike in China where people were forcibly taken to camps and the ailing separated from families to be thrown into community make-shift hospitals. As part of the efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in India, the Modi government has announced a Janata Curfew on March 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as a measure to halt the progress of the virus. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) currently, India is on stage two of the coronavirus transmission, where the number of cases is rising every day. The number of coronavirus cases in India presently stands at 283 and rising while death toll is five and likely to rise. In stage 1: When cases are only imported from affected countries and therefore only those who have travelled abroad test positive. At this stage there is no spread of the disease locally. The virus in India is currently at Stage 2: When there is local transmission from infected persons. This will usually be relatives or acquaintances of those who travelled abroad who test positive after close contact with the infected person. At this stage, fewer people are affected, the source of the virus is known and is therefore easier to perform contact tracing and contain the spread via self-quarantining. Countries like India are currently in Stage 2. India is determined to halt the virus from going to Stage 3. This is the stage of community transmission. In this stage those who have not been exposed to an infected person or anyone who has a travel history to affected countries, still test positive. In other words, people are unable to identify where they might have picked up the virus from. Countries like Singapore, Italy and Spain are currently in Stage 3. Finally, in Stage 4: This is the worst stage of the infection where it takes on the form of an epidemic. Massive numbers are infected and it is very difficult to control and contain the spread. This is what China dealt with. On March 22, the whole of India will be in total lockdown with people being asked to remain indoors for the entire period of the Janata Curfew. Even in Nagaland, the state government has made a fervent appeal to people to cooperate with this objective. As the day being a Sunday, the church has left it to the wisdom of the local congregation, although it fully supported the call for remaining indoors. In a way, the lockdown or bandh or curfew as it is,; does reveal that ultimately, the people themselves are important in such situations. Doctors and medicines can help to an extent . Ultimately, the cure lies with the people as the famous quote ‘ prevention is better than cure.’ Also, the Janata Curfew implies that the humans are the last line of defence. Humans are created beings whose creator is God. This is also an indirect acknowledgement that God has the ultimate power to prevent or cure.