Combatting Covid-19: Some states are setting examples to follow

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Apart from uniting people from different walks of life to stand shoulder to shoulder to combat the unprecedented pandemic, the Covid-surge has also brought out commendable practices by different states that can act as benchmarks.

Kerala has set an example of zero vaccine wastage. The state has also capped rates for Covid-19 treatment at private hospitals to ensure people are not fleeced at moments of weakness and scare.

The J&K administration has announced lifelong pension for the elderly who have lost the only breadwinner in the family and scholarships for children who have lost their parents. The administration has also announced a relief of Rs 1,000 a month to daily wage earners like construction workers, palkiwalas, pithuwalas and ponywalas for next two months.

The Delhi government had earlier announced a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers and free ration for two months to nearly 72 lakh card holders. Delhi’s initiative to enable booking of oxygen cylinder and refilling online is another step to ameliorate the terrible hardships of citizens.

The Mumbai model that delivered a recovery rate of 92% and a doubling rate – the time it takes for the number of COVID patients to double – of 170 days, was praised by the Supreme Court last week.

On the point of tackling the oxygen shortage, Odisha has emerged as a saviour, delivering 516 tankers of medical oxygen to 11 states in just 18 days.

From prudent practices to loosening purse strings, different state governments are making valiant attempts to combat the pandemic. While each state should certainly emulate tested and proven methods by other states, all governments should also put fiscal prudence in the backburner to focus on welfare measures and provide relief to the common man. Derailed finances can be put back on the rails, but lost lives can’t be brought back.