Are some more equal than others in COVID times?

Sir,

I am baffled, dismayed and disappointed by the way our people conduct themselves as if they believe in the adage, “All are equal but some are more equal than others.”

I am saying this with references to some of the news reports published in ‘SOM’ dated May 2. I am referring to three events: 1. Corona Warriors feted on Labour Day; 2. S.T. Somashekar calls on Ganapathy Swamiji and Sthankvasi Jain Yuvas distribute grocery kits to physically challenged.

The interesting aspect is that all these events are strangely connected to the pandemic. Then, why is there no respect for keeping ‘social distance’ or strictly wearing ‘face masks’ or wearing ‘hand gloves’ ? How are these really sure that one of them is not a carrier of COVID-19 ?

While I too wholeheartedly respect and appreciate all three events for their genuine intention, I am appalled to think, whether they are not endangering their own safety and the safety of others, by simply throwing to the wind the cautions, shouted from roof-tops by the same sections of society who comprise these groups.

Will Corona understand their intentions and spare them while many ‘on duty’ doctors, Prime Ministers and Royalty are themselves becoming victims, in spite of rigorous discipline followed ? Why don’t they want to be careful ? Is it so because they think, this is their routine and they are getting used to it ?

The difference between ’social distance’ and ‘quarantine’ or ‘isolation’ is to be properly understood and respected by ALL WITHOUT exception. So let’s NOT DO anything that increases the spread of the Virus.

We all are aware that millions of unfortunate and helpless migrant workers have fled to their rural homes, sparking fears of importing the Corona virus. Prime Minister Modi has publicly asked nation’s forgiveness acknowledging the chaos and suffering the unavoidable lockdown has brought on our country’s poor and helpless. As some body said, containing Corona Virus is as astoundingly perplexing as “Trying to put out a fire, without knowing where the fire is or how fast it can spread.”