It’s almost a year since the word ‘Coronavirus’ has come into existence. The virus has impacted us and changed our way of living. Two tools to protect us from coronavirus - mask, and sanitizer have seen a drastic drop-in sale, as compared to the lockdown time. And this is the main reason why we are seeing a “second wave” of deadly viruses across the country. 

Coronavirus emergence 

With the decreasing number of active cases in the month of Jan-Feb, people have become more careless. They have started taking it casually. People are no more scared now. People have now become friends with the virus. Despite a firm request from all Chief Ministers to District Magistrate asking people not to stop wearing masks and using sanitizer, there has been a recordable decrease in the sale.

Talking about the tools to fight against this virus, now it's only Institutions that are purchasing sanitizers because they have to keep them in their offices, restaurants, banks to maintain sanitization. Any individual person has stopped buying it, they are just keeping a handy bottle of sanitizer in their pocket. One reason for this can be because they easily get it wherever they go, be it malls restaurants, etc. At home, they can wash their hands with water frequently. Everyone has gained so much overconfidence that they have stopped taking precautions. Especially the younger generation which are more confident that they have the higher immunity, and least risk category which could get harm.

Think again, if you are tired of wearing the mask

People are now kind of tired, wearing masks even after knowing their importance. If at all they are wearing, they are not wearing it in a proper way, not covering their full nose, mouth, and chin. Wearing it only for the sake of norms, so that they don’t get land into Fines. Mask is very important as it prevents the transmission of the virus from an infected person. Fabric masks can be used daily after washing and storing in a clean plastic bag. Whereas surgical or medical masks need to be disposed of after wearing them. There are many masks available in the market.

Maintaining social distancing is very important 

Social Distancing is also effective against coronavirus. Refraining from attending all crowded places like schools, theatres, malls, stadiums are some of the methods for social distancing. The government has restricted these gatherings and allowed some with the 50% capacity to follow the norms and culture of a pandemic. But then People are violating all these. They are not wearing masks, not doing social distancing, going in crowded markets and there is no 6 feet distance seen.

The after-effects of rolling out of COVID vaccines 

Since the announcement of the Vaccine, people are now least bothered about their own health. The mindset of every person is changing. They are thinking that if at all we get tested positive for the virus, we can be vaccinated and it will be cured. But it's not that easy. You still have to follow all precautionary steps and norms for this pandemic.

Current status about vaccination drive in India

The vaccination drive started on 16 January 2021 in our country. Covishield and Covaxin are the two vaccines that have got approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Covisheild is developed by the University of Oxford whereas Covaxin is of Bharat Biotech and is showing 81% efficacy.

India is hosting the World’s largest Vaccine drive to be completed in phases. The first phase was for people in the healthcare sector like hospital staff. The second phase is for Senior Citizens of 60 plus and those people of 45 years who are having co-morbidities like diabetes, BP.

We have to live with this virus now. It will be better if we start implementing new norms. Wearing a mask, washing our hands, social distancing is some of the measures which are to be followed strictly for a better healthy lifestyle.