The arrival of vaccines has spawned all kinds of fake news such as they can cause impotency and lead to death. While there are no specific laws to tackle this, other regulations can crack down on misinformation.
As the centre gears up to vaccinate Indians for Covid-19, it has to keep in mind a number of parameters and give it to those who need it the most. India’s cases are among the lowest and the drive could see it on top of the game.
Yes, we do indeed—as the science appears to indicate—have the weapon to beat the pandemic into submission. But it will take a while before we learn how best to use it most effectively and which segments of the human race we need to protect.
Finding a vaccine suited to India is the least of the problems the government will face. Storing and transporting them at a certain temperature range can be a logistical nightmare, but India is adept at this.
In a laudable order, the Delhi High Court has asked 33 private hospitals to reserve 80 percent of ICU beds for coronavirus patients. It vacated an earlier stay, noting that the ground reality had “radically changed”.
Delhi is relying more on rapid antigen tests for diagnosing cases. While they have high specificity for positive cases, their sensitivity is low. So those who test negative should be re-confirmed by an RT-PCR test.
The apex court has pulled up the centre for only issuing an advisory on the use of disinfectants and UV rays on humans. It has directed the government to come up with directions to ban/regulate their use.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act, the government has a duty under Articles 47 and 21 to save and protect lives. It, therefore, cannot put curbs on testing of Covid-19 patients.
There has been much debate about the pros and cons of the therapy and trials have shown that it improves symptoms like difficulty in breathing and fatigue. But the decision is best left to the physician.
With the pandemic continuing to surge and people walking around unmasked, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to file FIRs under Section 188 of the IPC. Will this curb such callous behaviour?