Bangladesh recently crossed the grim milestone of 1,000 deaths in the country, and this death toll is currently rising at an alarming rate.
Suffice to say, there is absolutely no scope at this point to underestimate the extent of this crisis which has brought most nations of the world, including highly developed nations, to their knees.
In the midst of this unprecedented situation, when it is imperative for all of us to work together for the greater good, and show all the empathy we can muster, it is nothing if not disheartening and enraging that unethical profiteering continues unabated. Right now, those involved in the marketing and selling of oxygen are cashing in by manipulating the market.
Needless to say, there has been a recent surge in demand for oxygen. At a time when hospital resources are strained to breaking point, traders are taking this opportunity to profit rather than do the right thing during a time when everyone is making sacrifices, or even tightening their belts to get through the pandemic.
This kind of behaviour is unscrupulous, unethical, and unacceptable. Patients have been dying by the numbers, many clearly due to a lack of oxygen supply. Doctors have complained that the increase in death toll can largely be attributed to the shortage in the oxygen supply.
The government should take stern action against such unethical practices. Those who stockpile oxygen cylinders at a time like this while driving the prices sky high have a lot to answer for. People have the right to make profits, but business should never be conducted in breach of ethics, and oxygen hoarders have flagrantly crossed the line.