#Janata Curfew – a panacea for #Covid19? well almost!

Why is this a brilliant actionable idea in India? Here are my top 3 reasons.

1. It is a Sunday when most people would like to go out with families or call family and friends over for meals, prayers and celebrations. This will be effectively stopped. Most of our households comprise of 3 generations. Our seniors live with us. Children and young adults can be asymptomatic and bring it to their parents and grand parents. We do not have possibility of isolating the generations within our houses nor do we have adequate hospital infrastructure to ensure recovery for the fragile and infected. There would be an effective break in the chain of spread if people at home – 12 hours of curfew followed by 12 hours of night. (According to the latest studies, the virus remains viable anywhere from  4 hours on copper, to upto 24 hours on surfaces like cardboard, and a little while longer on clothing, plastic and steel).
2. The two words – Janata (people) and Curfew are widely understood by people of all strata. Social distancing, may not convey it as directly and with as much severity. Stay home and do not come outside is very well communicated by Janata Curfew.  If and when announced in the near future, it would be clearly understood by one and all.
3. The other two words very effectively used as apt foreshadowing of the possible measures to be taken in the near future are – Sankalp (determination) and Sanyam (self control). These are culturally appropriate words, always professed by the wise in India irrespective of the religious sect we belong to. It puts the onus of our  own well-being on ourselves.

A developing nation with its weaknesses and the largest democracy with its strengths – this is our India. For the 1.4 billion Indians, the Corona threat is real.  Extent of impact to economy, health, psychology, society is unknown and the extent of prepared ness is questionable in the very least.

In the wake of all that, the call by Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi in his widely televised address to nation for Janata Curfew on Sunday 22nd March is a master stroke.

I have been following and advocating social distancing with my colleagues, friends, family and neighbours. I will follow the Janata Curfew and urge you to follow the same. India as a nation is being watched by the world. By the developed economies as well as by neighbours like China.  Will we be able to deal with a looming threat to the healthcare, economy and life of our citizens? Are we strong and smart enough as a nation? Can we take care of ourselves kindly and responsibly?

Self isolate and stay safe.

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