interview2019 
Source: Google
By-Yogita Malhotra
COVID-19, which is proving to be catastrophic, has been spreading its tentacles swiftly. The curve of corona infected in the national capital Delhi has been spiralling upwards day by day. The recent reckonings show 70,390 active cases, 2365 number of deaths and 41,437 recovered cases.
From March 23 to June 7, the city was under the lockdown, in different phases, imposed by the authorities, barring the activities relating to and concerning the essential commodities after having considered the deteriorating conditions.
Lately, on 8th June, Unlock 1.0 was announced by the Central and State Governments with some relaxations including reopening of malls, restaurants, temples and shops prudently to restore normalcy in the market. This unlock phase was proclaimed with a set of guidelines to pull off the crisis.
Some religious places; Delhi’s Jama Masjid and Nawazuddin Dargah decided to remain locked till 30th June, while the crowd in Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and Hanuman Mandir seems thinned out.
Though the market is constantly trying to wrestle with the deadly virus; some people seem afraid to step out of their homes, while some are also found flouting the norms of social distancing and even wearing masks.
Reportedly, The Delhi Police issued challans to over 800 people in the national capital for allegedly not wearing masks in public and violating social distancing norms, officials said. (PTI)
The healthcare sector highlights the grim realities of the city; the private hospitals sought to capitalize on infected people, charges of treatment were set either too high or denied beds to people.
As The Hindu reported, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated the government would not allow the ‘black marketing’ of beds in private hospitals. But even a week later, no action had been taken by the government.
On the other hand, Delhi Medical Association president Girish Tyagi emphasised on the poor working of the government hospitals, the beds were found free due to lack of facilities, manpower, poor infrastructure, housekeeping, and indifference of staff towards the patients.
Delhiites saw a silver lining when the leaders of all the parties; BJP, Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and BSP held a meeting on Friday, declared a plunge in the prices of the private hospital’s isolation beds, ICUs with or without ventilators, comparatively to higher rates.
Moreover, as ordered by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, 500 isolation train coaches have been set up by railways authorities lately.
With the help of the Central Government, the COVID-19 testing facilities have been going on at a high pace. Lately, in a meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed, the serological survey will be conducted in the entire landscape of Delhi from 27 June to 10 July.
Moreover, the five-day institutional-quarantine has been made mandatory for every Covid-19 patient under home-quarantine in Delhi, Lt Governor Anil Baijal ordered. Also, under self-isolation will be provided with pulse oximeters to measure their oxygen levels every few hours.
Propitiously, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain who has been undergoing treatment shifted out of ICU to General ward the previous day following the improvement in his health.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced today, “There has been a three-fold increase in testing. The state is now conducting 18,000 tests every day, compared to 5000 earlier. Now, the citizens should not be facing any difficulties in COVID-19 testing”, he mentioned.
Certainly, the cases have been soaring in the city. The questions arise, was the government in deep slumber in the previous months or waiting for the intervention of the Central government to alternate the course of a pandemic?
The testing facilities have been made three-hold only after the novel coronavirus has intensely engulfed the city. The political agendas were never put on the back burner.
Undoubtedly, the dreadful virus has been robbing the peace of the citizens. With the city lurching into motion, people are striving hard to adapt to this pervasive ‘new normal’.
Though stringent actions have been taken and comprehensive policies are being adopted day by day: Citizens, on their part, should never shun maintaining the norms of social distancing and wearing masks.
Thus, changing the current situation needs an incredible amount of efforts by both the government and the citizens of Delhi.
