The coronavirus (Covid-19) is here in Bangladesh -- that is the reality, and we can no longer pretend that it is not our concern.
However, the public narrative seems to be trending towards extreme panic already, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, profiteering when it comes to certain preventative products.
This is a bad sign.
In times like this, beyond good governance -- which will no doubt be extremely crucial if we are to stand a legitimate chance against the threat of the coronavirus -- good civic sense and sound public awareness and judgment are equally, if not more important.
Overnight price hikes of face masks, hand wash, and hand sanitizers -- up about 400% in certain parts of the capital -- shows a gross lack of responsibility. Profiteering in this manner is nothing but exploiting people.
Thankfully, the High Court has stepped in, directing the government to mobilize mobile courts to prevent further price hikes and bring the situation under control.
However, the problems do not stop at the price hikes. In a fit of panic, people are stockpiling on these supplies, along with other essentials.
This makes no sense.
What must be understood is that the coronavirus spreads among people. Stockpiling on essentials deprives fellow citizens from having access to preventative measures like proper hand-washing. This, thereby, puts them at risk of contracting the deadly virus, and eventually, everyone else the affected people come in contact with.
It is therefore in everyone’s collective best interest to act in a responsible manner so that all individuals have access to the essentials required to combat the coronavirus and live their lives normally.
It really is about having common sense, and we hope that our citizens display this common sense collectively and fight the coronavirus together.