Really happy with the steps India has taken to control covid-19 ๐๐
I don't want to convert this into a political post but just want to appreciate the steps India has taken to prevent the spread of covid-19. Given the population density is super high, early measures is a very thoughtful step. Also, very happy that people in India are really taking this seriously and not stepping out. Good job! ๐๐
1. Travel was banned when cases were single digits in India. Ban was not specific to a few countries only.
2. Delhi metro has announcements which request people to not sit immediately beside other people but leave a gap of at least 1 seat.
3. Several govt offices have places a hand sanitizer at each desk. Several govt offices have multiple offices even within the same city so this is a huge step.
4. State borders (even city borders!) are closed.
5. IIT lab technicians prepared several bottles of hand sanitizers and gave it away for free to keep up with the demand (not sure about this, I just read an article)
6. If a case has been detected in a company (example - a PayPal employee tested positive), they closed the entire office immediately and deep cleaned it.
7. All govt offices are being deep sanitized (including chairs, monitors etc) twice a day
8. The list of essential services is really crisp and concise (example - banks and post offices are are only open for critical services, most people coming in for non-critical services are being sent back)
9. Most forms of public transport have been shut down or their frequency reduced significantly like trains and buses. This is huge for a country that has fully packed public transport.
10. People who are flying in from other countries are being tested aggressively. They are also being followed up a few days later about their symptoms and they have to report everyone who came in contact with them recently.
11. Grocery shopping hours are defined - 11am to 3pm. There is no shortage of supplies unlike in the US. Street vendors and milk sellers are allowed to go to residential areas twice a day to sell food house-to-house (have been given an entry pass for this which they need to show to the police). All grocery stores have made dedicated areas for people to stand few feet apart at the billing counter.
12. Pension for senior citizens has been increased by Rs.1000
13. Some govt schools have been converted to temporary hospitals, others to shelter grounds for homeless and daily wage workers.
14. Poor people have been provided with funds and food temporarily. Govt is temporarily also contributing to PF (401k) so companies don't feel the burden.
I stay in new york and can confirm that US response has been reactive but India has taken active steps ๐. Unlike the US, people are not going out just for fun during a lockdown.
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-Not a bhakht