So, the tiny but the most deadly virus, SARS-CoV-2, humanity has ever encountered seems to be calling it a day. Unless yet another virulent variant emerges, the world may soon see the back of the pathogen. The experts who predicted that Omicron, the latest mutated strain, signalled the weakening of the virus, if not its departure, are well-nigh vindicated. It seems the virus will stay to cause yet another mild infectious disease like common flu.
Some Western countries are still grappling with the Covid-19, but in this part of the world, it has become almost a spent force and may soon cease to be a threat to human life. Time may not yet be ripe for saying adieu to the deadly pathogen. But at least the preparation for bidding it a fitting farewell may get underway now.
Yes, we certainly want to celebrate the departure of a virus which no one on this planet ever welcomed. The unwelcome sub-microscopic organism took the world by storm, claimed lives and caused material losses and human tragedy of unprecedented order. If its arrival and rampage were a chilling dread, its exit is doubly rejoicing as this declares triumph of the mankind over an enemy that spread death and devastation of human spirit for two years.
Then how was this possible? It is known to all that the pathogen did not opt for ending its deadly mission on its own. Scientists and medical experts had to work overtime to develop vaccines and quite a few of those proved, after human trials, effective to grow immunity in human body against the virus's killing power if not contagiousness. Thus the vaccines provided safety against the disease. Yet the more conscious among peoples the world over made it a point to comply with the World Health Organisation (WHO)-prescribed health protocols in order to keep the virus at bay.
Their reward was immense. By staying clear of the Cvid-19 attack, they did not have to suffer the various post-Covid complications and this certainly is a plus point for this segment of people. Needless to say they were also the ones who received the jabs at the first opportunity. Contrary to this, there were groups of crazy people who have demonstrated not only against lockdowns but even against vaccination. It has happened on a large scale from Germany to Britain to Canada. About 1,000 members --- of German and Austrian families ---emigrated to Paraguay where they settled in an anti-vax, far-right 'paradise' in Caazapa region. Another group of 2,500 Austrians and Germans also created a similar community of anti-vaxxers in Aheloy on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.
Another fraternity of vaccine-sceptics is the coalition of international groups which has tried to paint the vaccination campaign as a ploy of the giant pharmaceutical companies to milk governments and people alike everywhere. They are still unconvinced of the merit of vaccination.
The odds were against the human kind and then there were these disbelievers. However, considering such oppositions to vaccination campaigns, the extraordinary keenness demonstrated by even the unlettered people in Bangladesh at the last stage is worth celebrating. It is no mean task to vaccinate 12,000,000 on a single day. The health ministry, health workers, social leaders and people who cooperated to receive the jab deserve kudos for achieving the feat.
The fear factor that had weighed heavily on people's minds is on course of dissolution. That is the greatest reward Bangladesh is reaping from its vaccination campaign. Now people know that the virus is looking for an escape route because they have got enough antibody in their systems. The confidence will do them good because they now need to rebuild their life. Apart from loss of life, money, livelihoods and precious time, the virus wreaked havoc with the psychological make-up of people. There was news that youths who were looking for breaks or were about to complete their higher studies terminated their promising lives out of frustration. This is really heart-wrenching. If only they continued their fight a little longer! Maybe, they would have seen the light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Then there were others who have not given up the fight. But there is a need for identifying them and provide for them so that they can lead a dignified life. Social and economic outlook must change for broader accommodation and shared benefits of the wealth created. Only then can the nation find an appropriate occasion for celebration as it bids farewell to the pandemic.