This refers to the report ‘India’s daily coronavirus deaths near 4,000 as WHO flags concern’ (May 15).

While the increasing positive cases remain a concern, the COVID-19 pandemic is considered one of the biggest global disasters since the second world war. What comes to my mind are the dangers of bio-terror, if at all it is true, and how it can kills people in a bloodless fight in a short span of time. The SARS virus has claimed millions of lives, yet humans are falling behind in basic understanding and continue ignore the fundamentals of hygienic living.  In the fight against any sort of viruses, the government alone cannot eradicate it, public participation is crucial to controlling the spread.   

In countries like India, where hygiene remains a major concern in both urban and rural areas, the marginalised become the community that suffers the most because of lack of basic facilities.  The pandemic has unfortunately revealed that the country’s healthcare system is inadequate to meet any sort of such challenges in the future.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic has forced the world to think deeply and prepare adequate measures in fighting similar disasters in the future.  Perhaps WHO, in coordination with developed countries, needs to spearhead the move.  

Ramachandran Nair
Muscat