A busy week in Karachi, as Pakistan displays mixed feelings toward COVID

 Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Tassy – Karachi, Pakistan


 It seems as if the second wave of the virus has hit Pakistan too; the number of cases continues to rise. The positivity rate of Covid-19 has reached 3 % for the first time since the end of July. The positivity rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who tested positive for Coronavirus in the last 24 hours by the number of tests conducted in 24 hours. The highest positivity rate was 23% in July, and the minimum was reported as 1.7% just a few weeks ago.  






 

The government has stepped up the pressure by announcing that commercial centers in 11 cities would be closed by 10 pm and parks would be closed by 6 pm. When I went to the park for my evening walk, I was informed that the 6 pm deadline for closure only applied to families visiting the park and not for those who were using the park for walking or running.



I can already see some loopholes arising in these vague guidelines.



Despite the ringing of alarm bells by those in authority, people’s apathy remains. Even though a new rule of wearing masks has been made mandatory and a hefty fine and punishment of up to 6 months in jail has been announced, the market places around town show a completely different story. Yesterday I had to visit a doctor’s clinic situated on the 5th floor of a large, well-frequented building.

The fifth floor is reserved for 40 or 50 doctors who see private patients there. As I waited for the lift I noticed all those entering the lift were unmasked. So I kept waiting by the lift for a time when I’d get the lift to myself, or share with others who would also be masked. After ten minutes I decided it wasn’t worth waiting, as I couldn’t get into a single lift where people wore masks. I ended up walking up the five flights of stairs. At least I felt safer that way.

 

 Saturday evening we were invited to a friend’s house for dinner. There were 16 of us sitting in an air-conditioned room but masks were not worn by anyone. I stuck to my guns of removing my mask only for eating and drinking. A couple of friends expressed surprise at my mask-wearing and thought I was being extra cautious for no reason!

The COVID-19 trial vaccine got a positive response from the public with several people queuing up to be part of the volunteer research. My mother was keen to be one of the volunteers but I talked her out of it as I felt she shouldn’t be trying this out at her age. The specific vaccine has apparently established its safety and efficacy in previous trials held in China and is now being tested on a wider population in Russia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. A close friend of ours is a volunteer and is hoping that the vaccine given to him is not a placebo (as is being given to half the volunteers).





The current situation with a rise in cases is causing me some level of anxiety about how the winter will go. The regular Flu vaccine for this season is now out and I am keen to go and get it as soon as I can for my own ease of mind. I am not sure whether there will be a shortage in stock so I’d better hurry. In the meanwhile, I’d like to end with this gorgeous view of a sunset taken from my parent’s rooftop. Wishing you a safe and happy week.


 

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