For a range of reasons, a complete lockdown is opposite of combating the Covid-19 outbreak. This necessitates the need to find an alternative that can help reduce the pressure on the economy, personal and national, without putting lives in danger. This alternative can be a ‘smart lockdown’, one that is well enough to balance between lives and livelihoods. Lockdown cannot continue indefinitely, but if it is lifted the existing infections would cause a surge in the numbers forcing another lockdown.The number of infected people going up and down with every new lockdown.A model of a smart lockdown developed by a group of scientists, recommends an intermittent lockdown: ten days of lockdown and four days of work per fortnight. Covid-19 has a latent period of three days, in which it is non-infectious. The suggested 14-day cycle helps people be away from the workplace, and hence spreading infection, as their lockdown days begin when they reach the infectious state. Even if someone gets infected on Day 1 of the cycle, their peak infection period would be during the lockdown days, reducing the number of secondary infections, Coming to the situation in Pakistan, in recent days, the increasing volume of traffic on the roads and voices heard on the media tell us that people want the lockdown to end. Heavy losses are certain to be incurred on the economy and individuals in the form of loss in GDP through trade disruptions and increasing unemployment and poverty.
In this scenario, Pakistan can opt for a much adapted version of the smart lockdown. Wearing of gloves and masks has been found to reduce the transmission of infection, and should be made mandatory for everyone leaving home. Those who can work remotely, should continue to do so, including online classes.There should be extra emphasis on following strict SOPs at the workplace. This strategy needs to be adopted by taking measures, including hygiene, physical distancing and testing, tracing and isolating the infected.There should be certain penalties if they show up to be a hub of contagion. People are testing the lockdown because of their own needs every day. The government is finding it hard to deliver support. No strategy can or should remain static. With experience and evidence all strategies must change and develop. People need to see the guidelines, SOPs and other information that will guide as well as educate them on behaviour and public health.
SAQIB ISHAQ
Jhelum
