Several states have of late reported a spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases, which could possibly trigger the scare of a fourth wave of the pandemic. As in the earlier waves, Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, national capital Delhi and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala have all reported a sharp increase in the test positivity rate as well as the number of daily caseload.
Mumbai alone accounts for more than 1,000 of 4,000-odd new case being reported these days.
The timing of the sharp rise as it comes at a time when schools in most states are reopening offers a serious challenge to the governments. Most educational institutions, especially schools, were shut most of the days in the last two years, robbing a good share of students the idea of the life on campus. Reports on online classes make it evident that despite our claims of technological advancements, a considerable number students had no access to the tools and connectivity and had practically lost education for two years. The socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society were the most affected by the pandemic.
While the government ensures that vaccination programme is on course and continuously monitors the healthcare infrastructure in the country, it should make a realistic assessment of our ability to reach out to the students should the schools be closed again. A total shut down of the economy is an unlikely possibility but education institutions, by their very nature, can make themselves Covid clusters and may be the first in the line to shut the doors. Last mile connectivity is still an issue in India, especially in rural areas while access to technological tools poses a challenge in urban and rural areas alike. The government must have a game plan on how to address them, should things come to such a pass.
