Publish : 21 Nov 2021, 12:07 AMUpdate : 21 Nov 2021, 12:07 AM
The Covid-19 situation has gone from better to excellent for Bangladesh since the beginning of November, with daily deaths coming down to single digits. Many feared, reasonably, that winter might cause a flare-up, but things look very positive thus far. But as always, there is no room for complacency.
Leading public health experts have warned of a potential third wave. They fear that a slow vaccination, coupled with the opening of schools and increased travelling, might have a domino effect, culminating in the dreaded third wave, as many European countries experienced and are currently experiencing.
While vaccination is progressing -- approximately 33,995,948 people have fully been vaccinated, and 52,983,555 received the first dose as of Wednesday -- the public health experts are quite right to sound the alarm.
The authorities should take heed of their warning. They should also put their foot down and enforce basic masking requirements for places that get very crowded. This should also include public vehicles, as increasing numbers of people will be travelling within the country
This is particularly important to do right now because mask maintenance has been relaxed generally, as experts observed. The general public is less willing to maintain masks. While being mask-free might be reasonably safe in non-crowded public places, it is essential that masks are maintained in crowded places.
Public health experts are rightly worried because another surge will add to the previous devastations that Bangladesh is still recovering from. The authorities need to carefully weigh their recommendations and take the necessary measures.
ED: Preventing the third wave
The Covid-19 situation has gone from better to excellent for Bangladesh since the beginning of November, with daily deaths coming down to single digits. Many feared, reasonably, that winter might cause a flare-up, but things look very positive thus far. But as always, there is no room for complacency.
Leading public health experts have warned of a potential third wave. They fear that a slow vaccination, coupled with the opening of schools and increased travelling, might have a domino effect, culminating in the dreaded third wave, as many European countries experienced and are currently experiencing.
While vaccination is progressing -- approximately 33,995,948 people have fully been vaccinated, and 52,983,555 received the first dose as of Wednesday -- the public health experts are quite right to sound the alarm.
The authorities should take heed of their warning. They should also put their foot down and enforce basic masking requirements for places that get very crowded. This should also include public vehicles, as increasing numbers of people will be travelling within the country
This is particularly important to do right now because mask maintenance has been relaxed generally, as experts observed. The general public is less willing to maintain masks. While being mask-free might be reasonably safe in non-crowded public places, it is essential that masks are maintained in crowded places.
Public health experts are rightly worried because another surge will add to the previous devastations that Bangladesh is still recovering from. The authorities need to carefully weigh their recommendations and take the necessary measures.
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