As the unlock procedure starts all over India, questions regarding the future of coronavirus keep haunting us. While vaccines are what everyone is eagerly waiting for, other issues originating from this pandemic have started raising heads. Managing the economy tops this chart.
It is true that containing COVID-19 and restoring the economy require not just good policy decisions but also continued compliance with recommended behavioral changes. In a very decisive step, the Meghalaya government is mulling a strategy to micro-manage the spread of COVID-19.
The total active case in Meghalaya stands at 337. While 49 recovered and 2 died so far taking the total to 388. The state Government has advocated for moving forward byaccepting the current situation as a ‘New normal’. It is focusing on micro response systems and strategies to ensure micromanagement of any situation arising because of COVID 19 virus. Another issue clouding the brows of the government is the alarmingly low rate of recovery in the state.
Micro management
Meghalaya is the first state in the country which adopts micro management micro lockdown system to fight COVID. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has publicly said behavioral change and individual action is the key to fight COVID. The chief Minister aims to have a society driven programme on micro response systems and strategies to ensure micromanagement in fighting COVID pandemic.
“We need to micromanage, enforce micro-lockdown and quick response systems because COVID is going to be there for some time. A quick and rapid response system will enhance our preparedness to deal with the virus and contain it at a micro-level. This will enable normal life in infection-free areas of the state. The planning is still at the nascent stage but we do realize that it is the way forward,” says Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Ensuring the people of his state about the government’s top priority for human life and safety Conrad further adds, “We cannot run away from this reality or enforce lockdown every time something happens. We need to adjust, adapt, and learn how to live with this virus. Therefore we are working on how to micromanage the emerging situations. We feel that locking down the entire state and its economic activities every time a case or a cluster of cases comes up, is not the solution. Local and micro lockdown is the answer.”
Although Meghalaya still figures as one of the best performing states, thanks to the state Government’s active role in ensuring safety of its people, Conrad now advocates his electorate to be prepared to fight back the pandemic as the virus is going to linger around for some time.
Involving traditional head
In the unifying spirit of participation, the Meghalaya government is also engaging all citizens to combat the virus. It looks forward to involving traditional heads of the state like Rongbhashnong and Nokmas. Help is also being sought from the legislators and religious heads.
“We are working on a situation where collaboration is sought from all corners of society. Information sharing forms a very vital cog of our strategy and we are mindful to share both positive news of recovery as well as alarming news of high-risk zones and contacts. Only by working hand in hand with a collective support system can we contain the virus and restrict its spread,” opines the Meghalaya CM.
No stigmatizing health workers
As cases of stigmatizing heath workers get reported from different quarters, Meghalaya Government has advised the traditional heads of the state to ensure no health worker gets stigmatized.
“We need to gradually start accepting the Covid induced reality, and not stigmatize against people for being exposed to the virus. People working in healthcare institutes are our only hope for survival and as a society we must be grateful to their service and by no means stigmatize them for being high risk contacts. This will bring down the morale of medical workers who are working in an untiring way to protect us. Acceptance is the only way forward, “emphasized the people friendly minister.Show quoted text
