With global lockdowns seemingly relaxing, and Bangladesh following suit with its own easing, it may be tempting to believe that we have left the worst of the pandemic behind us.
Such a belief would be a grave mistake.
The WHO issued a stark warning on Monday, noting that the 136,000 new cases were the most registered on a single day since the pandemic began, with many countries around the world showcasing an upward trend in daily infections, especially in countries in Central and South America, and South Asia.
Bangladesh would do well to heed this warning; after all, we too have only been experiencing a steady increase in the number of infections and deaths in the country.
Furthermore, with the knowledge that we do not even have conclusive data from the district-level on the total death count, there is all the more reason to exercise extreme caution, so as to not further aggravate what appears to already be a worsening situation.
Moreover, the authorities, with the newly-proposed zonal lockdown strategies, may also be realizing that simply opening up the economy and easing lockdown restrictions is not the best strategy moving forward.
Make no mistake about it, the Covid-19 pandemic remains as dangerous today for Bangladesh, if not more, than it was before lockdowns were eased. As such, there is no alternative but for all the authorities and the people at large to exercise extreme caution and continue to follow all the health and safety directives.
