Unexpectedly for most of us, but also as a shock to experts as also central/ states’ governments’ leaders, never sufficiently cautious/efficient in Covid-19 management, the second wave of Corona has smashed on ‘we the people’ with the force of a nuclear explosion! We had one full year of preparatory and remedial processes to combat Corona, yet failed to create sufficient infrastructure to cope with this killer disease – no construction of emergency hospitals, nor any adequate storage of Oxygen and lifesaving ventilators etc. In contrast, when Covid-19 first hit the Chinese people in Wuhan in January 2020, how quickly they built the Huoshenshan Hospital with a 1000-beds facility (in just 10 days)! Today China is almost free of Corona but the rest of the world, we Indians all the more, are suffering – even America that still peaks in persons affected/ patients dead is recovering but in our case much worse is now feared. By May ending we may even cross the American tally. Well, our governments have so many powers under colonial and post-independence laws that, given the requisite will and determination, it is not difficult to use those appropriately and bring the situation fully under control. The Epidemic Diseases Act empowers the governments to take all emergency measures to control and suppress such vicious epidemics; all the lockdowns, social distancing norms, curfews etc. have been ordained with these powers. The Supreme Court also suggested that governments explore all possibilities and make use of these powers to quickly suppress this pandemic. And so, States’ Governments also have heavy responsibilities; in fact they are to be the field warriors in the battles against this pandemic. But, it is quite regrettable that, in this delicate situation, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is adamant on conducting the SSC and Intermediate examinations despite furious protests from the students, their parents and people at large, which measure can turn out to be a super-spreader, putting the lives of the students and through them the entire people to the great risk of an enormous health disaster. It seems the High Court of A.P. too has seriously suggested to the State Government to think of postponing or cancelling the examinations, especially as the CBSE exams, as also the Board exams in several states, were also cancelled/postponed due to this menace. Hope at least now the Government of A.P. will reconsider and save the people of Andhra, and India, from any such calamity. §§§
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