Despite the strict lockdown imposed by the government to ensure that the rates of Covid-19 cases and subsequent deaths are brought down, it is unfortunate to see that people were seen venturing out with their families and friends in the capital without any emergency reason for doing so.
This is especially concerning given the fact that 25% of all Covid-related deaths in the country were recorded in July alone -- and if things continue without a drastic change in our behaviour, it will spell disaster for Bangladesh and its people, as more deaths pile on and the government is forced to extend the lockdown even further.
There is no denying that the lockdown is far from ideal, and that authorities have made mistakes in the past, but it is our civic duty as citizens to ensure that we follow the rules of the lockdown and contribute to bringing the number of cases related to coronavirus down.
In fact, this lockdown has demanded extreme sacrifice from many of us across many sectors. There is no denying that a significant part of the economy -- and thereby people’s livelihoods -- has taken a hit. Most involved in Bangladesh’s informal economy are dependent on face-to-face interactions with the public on a day to day basis.
As such, moving forward, we must understand that, when we have a pandemic on our hands as we do now, one which is so deadly and can spread so far and wide so quickly and easily, we are responsible for doing everything we can to save the lives of those around us. Now is not the time for excuses, now is the time to show some responsibility.