It is encouraging to note that, despite the reopening of most parts of our economy, Bangladesh has been experiencing a steady decline in weekly averages of deaths, test positivity, and case rates for the last two months with regards to the coronavirus.
According to experts, the reason for the decline is most likely due to the widespread presence of antibodies among the masses.
While such a conclusion seems credible considering that, in a recent study, it was found that 45% of respondents in Dhaka had developed antibodies, it is also an indication of the increased exposure people have had to the virus since places of business were allowed to open up.
This news no doubt provides us with an opportunity to be somewhat optimistic regarding the future spread of the virus, but it should not by any means lead to laxity of any sort in our efforts to ensure that the situation continues to improve.
Our initial reaction to the presence of the virus was poor, to say the least, with widespread mismanagement, a lack of planning, and overall administrative incompetence leading to thousands of infected individuals finding their way into society, despite the fact that they had arrived from some of the most highly affected nations in the world.
With the very real possibility of a second wave this winter, which could see a spike in the number of cases and deaths once more, we cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes. It is imperative that we take strict measures to ensure that the coronavirus is contained and, as the prime minister herself has reiterated, we must be ready in order to tackle any scenario brought on by Covid-19.
