Long war

Russian President Putin has agreed to shut workplaces for a week from October 30, due to rising cases and deaths of COVID-19. On 20 October, the country recorded 1,028 deaths. Only 32 per cent or 45 million of the population have been fully vaccinated.

Many migrant labourers who worked in England have gone back to their homes in East Europe, due to the lockdowns. Now companies are having problems in getting the workers to return. There are serious supply chain problems in many countries, including the USA and UK. The pandemic is still prevalent in the UK and Prime Minister Johnson is under constant pressure from the medical fraternity to keep many restrictions in place. Senior citizens in the UK are being encouraged to take booster jabs,

India is delighted that a billion people have been vaccinated. However, there is a long way to go. Only 53 per cent of the population has received one jab and only 22 per cent of the country has received both the jabs. Mumbai city is recording 350 to 400 new cases daily. Yet, plans are afoot to open the malls, schools and colleges. This opening should be done in gradual phases.

Most nations in Africa have vaccinated just two to three per cent of their population. Hence there is much work to be done. African countries should start manufacturing vaccines locally. Moderna has already decided to establish a plant in Africa. Many countries are becoming casual and people are not even wearing masks. Many of these countries face a shortage of vaccines. Thus, lots of people, weary of the wait, are just ignoring the disease, discarding the mask and living in denial. Local governments should insist on mask wearing.

Rajendra Aneja,
Mumbai, India