Lock, Stock, and Barrel!

It was decided a couple of days ago by the administration that the valley of Kashmir will be unlocked partially. The decision was taken after spending over a week in meetings with all the stakeholders. The unlock plan was shared with the people to implement thoroughly. It is apparent that the number of Covid positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir is not the actual number of the confirmed cases. The contaminated areas are not publicly proclaimed as Red zones. The unnecessary movement of people is not curbed. Now, with unlocking the markets, crowds are obvious to be seen on the streets, even though the virus still exists. The fatality rate has indeed shrunk, but not completely. This should serve as a means of discipline to be maintained while going out, gathering at a place, shopping, or conducting business locally. While it is difficult to maintain such a thing in markets, the authority is yet to be sure about its decision. The partial unlock unambiguously is a failure. Unlocking itself meant to trigger the crowd to the streets. To imagine the streets barren of people is nearest to impossible. The public cannot be prescribed a schedule of when to come out of their homes. Therefore, expecting the public to stay inside, go out only if necessary, or help the authority to curtail the crowd is a dream that they can never achieve. The partial lockdown couldn’t help the business also. The business continues to face the worst it has faced for more than a month now. Two days a week cannot make business worth a run. There needs to be a systematic solution with a vision to permit or to prevent.