TAC member Dr Giridhar Babu says lockdown is his ‘personal suggestion’, hints that ‘political leaders’ need to take a call
Dr Babu suggests stepped-up vaccination before a likely third Covid wave in October-November
BENGALURU:
Is the personal suggestion of a member of the Karnataka government’s Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 a sign of a draconian measure in the offing? Even as the government grapples with the second Covid-19 wave, hoping that the current weekend and daily night curfews, in force till May 4, will break the chain of transmission, the TAC foresees a third wave in October-November. More ominously for citizens, a member of the TAC, Dr Giridhar Babu, has gone on record to recommend a 14-day lockdown to the government.
Going by the current trend, the state government has ignored many of the suggestions made by the TAC, including its recommendation for strict measures as early as in February this year. But that could change in a jiffy, considering that April has witnessed a huge surge of cases in Karnataka, and especially Bengaluru. More or less clueless on how to stem the ravages of the coronavirus, the government has used the only weapon it seems to have left by imposing a fortnight’s weekend and daily night curfews in the state.
Speaking to TheBengaluruLive, Dr Giridhar Babu, Professor and Head of Lifecourse Epidemiology, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), said he foresees a third wave during October-November this year. His suggestion: “The government should complete the vaccination of vulnerable age groups before the next wave hits.”
‘Impose immediate lockdown’
Dr Babu has also asked the state government to impose stringent restrictions, including a 14-day lockdown with immediate effect to break the chain of transmission. “Though the recommendation for a 14-day lockdown is my personal view, even the Chief Secretary is on the same page. But the political leaders need to take a final call on it,” he said.
Dr Babu was of the firm view that the government should immediately impose a 14-day lockdown, adding that without such a measure the surge in cases cannot be controlled. He felt the state may witness the peak of the second wave by May-end or the first week of June.
Meanwhile, the TAC has also recommended to the government increasing the number of Covid beds during the current curfew phase.
Also Read: Karnataka Govt in panic mode: Don’ step out of homes, pleads CS https://thebengalurulive.com/karnataka-govt-in-panic-mode-don-step-out-of-homes-pleads-cs/
