Shortage Of Oxygen Cylinders during 1st & 2nd Wave
We might be very much aware of the Oxygen Cylinder shortage in our country during the pandemic, which was the major point of focus a few months back. Many methodologies throughout the research, academia and all other sectors got spread like a fire and vast production of Oxygen cylinders was the savage demand of the time for the dying nation. Data from the National Clinical Registry for Covid-19 shows most patients with Covid-19 have a respiratory tract infection. In the most severe cases, their symptoms can include shortness of breath among symptomatic hospitalized patients at 47.5%, compared to 41.7% during the first wave.
As, Most of the oxygen producers are in India's east, while the soaring demand has been in cities in the western and northern parts of the country. Also, the transportation is quite limited to some specialized tankers and specific container holders. Local officials in some regions disrupted the movement of tankers in a bid to keep supplies for themselves. Amidst all these shortages the Supreme Court really did a great job in distribution of these oxygen cylinders, which also acted as a great relief for several states of India. Government tried to direct most of the country's supply of industrially produced oxygen toward the health care system. They also invited proposals for innovation in portable oxygen concentrators which could be seen as significant utilization of “Aapda ko Awsar” by P.M. Narendra Modi. Apart from all these help, they are also trying to airlift Oxygen generation plants from countries such as Germany and Russia. These all contributions either by the government or Supreme Court at the later stages of 2nd wave felt a great sigh of relief to Indians.
Img 1.5 - Oxygen Demand and Allocation matrix in 12 SURGE states**
__________________________________________________________________
Note* : Data reported are from April 20 onwards.
Celebrating the festival of Democracy
Elections are the festival of democracy, but in the backdrop of a terrible human tragedy unfolding in our nation, were these elections necessary? Today we ask ourselves this question.
In all 5 election states, political rallies witnessed huge crowds, and these gatherings flouted all Covid-19 norms, from wearing masks to physical distancing. Television news and newspaper reports confirm this ignorance of Covid 19 norms. Such large crowds make the most favourable conditions for the transmission of coronavirus. The subsequent rise in COVID-19 cases testify to this fact.
The 5 election states have shown alarmingly high growth and positivity rates compared to other non-election states. This has created an explosion of Covid-19 cases and an overstressed healthcare system. The fertile ground for the transmission of coronavirus generated by these political campaigns has resulted in the reversal of the downward trajectory of Covid-19 cases from mid-March. As the election rallies continued, the growth rates accelerated, resulting in an explosion of Covid-19 cases.As of May 30, out of the 6 worst affected states three are election states.
Img 1.6 - Data for Daily Spreading Cases** for 6-Worst Affected States
_____________________________________________________________
NOTE** : The above data is limited to the second wave only till 30th May, 2021 and is subjected to further change
One state that concerns us the most is West Bengal. The reason is simple: high positivity rates. The average positivity rate in West Bengal ranges from 25% to 30%, which is even higher than the worst affected states like Maharashtra. The rural areas of West Bengal were not very much affected by the first wave, while this time, the situation is alarming and concerning. There is a very steep rise in cases in rural areas of the state. This rural infiltration of covid-19 is the result of 8 phase long and a closely fought assembly election where all the political heavyweights went all in. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, given the fact that people in rural areas have limited access to testing facilities.We keep you with the question, “Were these elections necessary in these unprecedented times of a disastrous pandemic, and who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds due to this festival of democracy?”
Img 1.7-Current Scenario** of Active Cases at W.B.
Covid positivity rate data
Note** : The above data is limited to the second wave only till 11th June, 2021 and is subjected to further change
___________________________________________________________
Img 1.8- Active Cases at W.B. around elections
_______________________________________________________________
Role Of Judiciary
Amidst pandemic, Courts have efficiently acted as one of the most important pillars of democracy. Evident instances when either the court took suo-motu cognisance or heard the petition as early as possible are best reference for the same.
[1] Oxygen issue: Since the surge of the second wave, Demands and supplies of Oxygen faced a strong imbalance in Hospitals as a result a large death rate had been experienced. When the Government failed to allocate oxygen supply properly, the Supreme Court directed the government to make a revised plan and set up a committee for the oxygen supply.
[2] Mediator between centre and state: Amidst pandemic, there was a dispute regarding the quantity of oxygen supplied. In order to ensure proper distribution and secure balance between State and Central Government, Courts acted as mediator between them.
[3] Check and Balance: In the recent elections, when rules were being flouted by political parties and Election Comission was acting as a mute spectator, Madras High Court didn't mince words for Election Comission and told perhaps they should be charged with murder case owing to surge of covid in those states.
[4] Suggestion Role: With the prisons in their fullest capacity, SC asked the center to think about house arrest for prisoners.
Comments
Post a Comment