The Second Wave : Where do we stand now ?

Table of Content: 

• Did the government fail people or the people failed the government? 
• The Second wave and its unprecedented rise
• Genome Sequencing 
• Difference between Mutants and Variants
• Second wave symptoms
• Is the 2nd wave getting under control? 
• Covid-19 - The end of civilization?

Did the government fail people or the people failed the government? 

 

The common man has become helpless now and this situation has risen corruption and black-marketing to the sky limit. Private firms like drug dealers and hospitals are mercilessly charging exorbitant amounts from patients. The questions keep the nation restless like who is responsible for the death of those patients who died in lack of the O2 cans and medicine unavailability in diverse corners of the country? Despite the black-marketers who left no stock for licensed sales, is it the government that failed to perform their duty, or did we failed ourselves in taking the precautions we have been warned about?   

No other country has suffered the consequences as worst as where we are standing today. Nevertheless, it is very important to understand what caused the second wave and how can the future be kept safe from a third curve.

The Second wave and its unprecedented rise

Isolation under the sunny weather with a deadly virus out there at rampage is not news. Just a year ago, we saw the strictest lockdown implementation in India and its compilated outcomes too. This year we have experienced a sudden exponential growth in new cases that has been raised 4 times of what we encountered highest in the last year in September. Almost 4 lakh+ cases have been reported on multiple days for the first half of May with 4000+ deaths followed each day. 

The above graph shows the difference between India's first and second-wave curves, however, it is understandable that the nation and its healthcare system were not ready for this kind of spike. So let's not underestimate the situation with the same faults again. This is not the same variant, the world found in 2019. Understand the basic here -  

To get this let's get introduced to the term Genome Sequencing.  

What Is Genome Sequencing?  - It is a scientific process of figuring out the DNA codes of a DNA segment from a living cell(virus) and this helps a 'particular variant of any species getting its own identity in its community. 
Just like an ID card of a particular person is his identity from a unique organization which makes him different from people who do not work there. You might have heard a few names(as numbers with dots) of SARS CoV-2 variants like B.1.1.7(UK Variant), B.1.167(Double mutant), etc. But where the heck did they come to our world? 

Do Viruses mutate themselves? - Yes, Viruses mutate constantly and quickly. And that is why the year 2021 is no lesser surprise than 2020. Especially those viruses that contain RNA in their gene, are quicker in mutating their own varients. And one of them is the Coronavirus 2019.

 

Difference between Mutants and Variants? - Just for an understanding purpose, Mutation is a process of DNA re-arranging that creates a new mutant(Resulted organism) and this mutated virus(SARS CoV-2) is producing its own "communities" which are getting termed as a new 'strain' or 'variant' by us.

Which Variant is most common till now? - In Dec 2020, India came across the UK variant- B.1.1.7 for the first time and it was concluded to be more vulnerable than what we had before. In a recent press conference, Indian Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that India has performed 25739 genome sequencing till today (May 24), and tut of which 9508 variants became the prime matter of concern. And among these 9508 variants, 5271(almost 65%) are from B.1.167 Mutant Community, named as 'double mutant' and also called as 'Indian variant' is the most common in India for now. 

Second wave symptoms

Take a look at this source of information from WHO that speaks about the possible symptoms and now the mutated variant has almost everything listed as a symptom. 

The virus symptoms have gone more adverse after the mutated variants of SARS CoV-2 have proved to be more deadly and transmissible. Immediately self-isolate yourself if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. 

Data says approx 40- 45% of those infected with covid-19 being asymptomatic might have greater potential to spread the virus silently and deeply through crowds and gatherings.

Is the 2nd wave getting under control? 

Various Lockdown implementations and safety measures have already been initiated by center/state authorities since last month and have shown improvement with decreasing number of new infections, slow and steady.  The first wave which was nearly one-fourth of what we have now taken almost 6 months to lower down to smaller magnitudes.

The recovery/discharge rate of patients in India has been exemplary for the world. Look at the graph attached. Since last year, we have encountered a gradual headway in the recovery rate progression which has shown the tremendous determination and a fruitful approach of our frontline warriors during this whole pandemic session.

Also, the above graph shows that in the ongoing month of May 2021, the recovery rate has fallen down to 81.7% on May 1st and gradually regaining the momentum. The rising number of cases led to the unavailability of beds and medical facilities which could be a reason behind it. A change in the properties of the mutated virus could be another reason. 

This is not the first time when Man does have evidence-backed answers for their questions. Scientists are still researching to what role B.1.617 mutant will play in future surges( the predicted third wave) of Covid-19.

Covid-19 - The end of civilization?

Well, "It's too early to say if it's too late" quoted by Mr. Yves Cochet- a French minister and researcher, on the discussion of Collapsology, which refers to a possible collapse of the society we know by a global economic crisis like in this pandemic. 

Believe the 'bat-theory' of Wuhan or some biological warfare, Ladies, and gentlemen, the consequences are for everyone. Eating a bat is surely a nature abuse if it can bring this big disaster for the world. 

The past year taught the world that nature is not meant to be challenged by a fraction of itself which is human beings. Ages of human skills lead to the evolution of industrialization that has blessed us with more power than ever. With this power, we continue to urge for more by taking control over forests, lands, wild lives, and almost everything on the planet. This state of megalomania has created an ecosystem-unbalance on planet earth.

Human activities are also responsible for almost all of the increase in Global warming due to greenhouse gases emission in the atmosphere for more than the past 150 years. Deforestation, droughts, river water intoxication, plastic pollution, etc. are all human deeds to mother nature. And somewhere, directly or indirectly, it is affecting our own fragile world.