Keeping virus happy?

Monday 20th December, 2021

Head of the Public Health Inspectors’ union, Upul Rohana, has flayed some Health Ministry panjandrums for lowering their guard although the daily count of Covid-19 infections is still very high. He has said complacency has to be avoided, and health regulations must be ramped up in view of the highly transmissible omicron variant of coronavirus spreading in the country.

Sadly, Rohana has drawn flak from some social media activists who want the country kept open regardless of a possible surge in Covid-19 infections. Why should anyone bash an outspoken public official who is au faith with pandemic control for raising the alarm? It will be a huge mistake for anyone to deride expert opinion.

Infections due to new coronavirus variants come in dribs and drabs first, and then they increase exponentially, overwhelming the health system, sending the death toll up and warranting lockdowns. This, we have seen in the past, but we do not seem to learn from our experience.

The omicron variant may not increase disease severity as such, but its high transmissibility is sure to lead to a capacity crunch in the health sector. If hospitals happen to be overflowing with Covid-19 patients again with health workers being hard put to cope with staggering caseloads, then the Grim Reaper will have a field day. Breakthrough infections, which are said to be on the rise, will render even the fully-vaccinated people vulnerable. Hence the need for everyone to exercise caution.

Having failed to fulfil its election pledges, the government seems to think it can keep the people happy by allowing them to do as they please despite the pandemic. It did not impose travel restrictions during the traditional New year in April, claiming that it did not want to spoil the festive season. The pandemic spread so fast as a result that there was no way the health authorities could tackle it. The resultant lockdowns debilitated the economy as never before. The government has, true to form, printed money—loads and loads of it—aggravating the economic situation further, causing the cost of living to soar, among other things.

It is not only health risks that the omicron variant poses; it has the potential to make the economy collapse. The government is begging for foreign assistance to shore up the country’s foreign currency reserves, but help is not forthcoming. Fitch Ratings has further downgraded Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign-currency Issuer Default Rating. This downgrade has landed Sri Lanka in the same predicament as the proverbial man who was gored by a bull after a nasty fall from a tree.

An incensed government has taken exception to the Fitch downgrade, and reiterated that it is capable of honouring the country’s debt obligations. Its consternation is understandable, but unfortunately foreign investors go by Fitch Rating predictions, and do not want to take unnecessary risks when they park their money. Sri Lanka’s economy will not survive another lockdown, and therefore, everything possible must be done to avert an explosive spread of Covid-19.

High-ranking health officials have become putty in the hands of the SLPP politicians who subjugate everything to their political interests. One can only hope that the public will take precautions, of their own volition, and protect their dear lives regardless of assurances the Health Ministry mandarins may give. What they should do is to follow the health guidelines strictly, and stay safe.

Meanwhile, if the government is genuinely interested in keeping the public happy, there are things it has to do. It has to prevent its politicians and cronies from helping themselves to state funds, eliminate bribery and corruption, manage the economy properly, and usher in national progress. Giving the public free rein during a national health emergency is certainly not the way to set about it. That will only keep coronavirus happy.