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You have heard of the cure being worse than the disease. What about the cure being the cause of the disease? When you see pictures and videos of serpentine queues of people standing cheek by jowl, with almost zilch physical distancing, trying to franctically pick up fruits and vegetables, you wonder if this can be a new ‘single source’ spread of the dreaded virus. Many pictures resemble the typical Ranganathan Street pre Diwali shopping spree.
The announcement of the four day (not three, someone got their Math wrong!) stricter lockdown came in the afternoon, well after the shops had closed. Had it come earlier, in the morning, it would have given people another day’s notice. Unlike rice and dhal and other groceries, fruits and vegetables can be stocked for about a week. While the panic buying is not entirely unjustified, the sight of educated folks caring two hoots for physical distancing rankles.
Waking up late to this avoidable rush, the government revised its lockdown restriction. Shops selling fruits and veggies can now remain open during the next four days. The fox trot is reminiscent of the terribly ill planned demonetisation a few years ago.
We do not have vaccination for Corona just yet; but there is no dearth of vacillation! Legitimate questions emerge. If the main difference between the previous lockdown and the intensive version was that fruits, veggie & grocery shops would not be open, how is the revised ‘intensive’ lockdown going to be any different? Is it all about optics? Meant for a visiting Central Team?
There are outstanding officials and selfless NGOs in Tamil Nadu working round the clock to deal with this unprecedented pandemic. I have personal knowledge of the sacrifices they are making to keep us safe. Many citizens are downright irresponsible and need to be reined in. It is unpalatable but needs to be said. Knee jerk, badly planned moves probably happen because the decision makers are not the ones who have to stand in queues. Would we ever have confusion and panic during elections? Don’t voter booth slips reach our doorsteps?
It’s about time civil society is involved in decision making for our collective good. Let our high powered government expert committees have representatives like a home maker, a social worker, a doctor, a residents’ welfare association office bearer and a public spirited individual for practical inputs. Co-option can foster co-operation.
(Sanjay Pinto is an Advocate practising at the Madras High Court, a Columnist, Author, Public Speaking Mentor & Former Resident Editor – NDTV 24×7)
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