Covid-19 is still around, take precautions

Successive warnings are being issued by the authorities concerned in the country to remain alert and cautious and do not ditch any precautionary measures mandatory during the Coronavirus pandemic or Covid-19. This is because they love the people of the country, its citizens, residents and visitors and do not want them to put their health and lives in danger. The safety and security as well as health is always primary concern and interest of human being.

Therefore, it is necessary to respect and abide by the precautions related to the pandemic and is also needed to adhere to procedures and protocols of social distancing, wearing a mask and taking other measures. This is because these steps have been advised as an ultimate strategy to remain safe and healthy.

These measures can help avoid implications of the Coronavirus which has already exhausted the entire humanity in an unprecedented manner in the modern history. It has exposed gaps in social and economic systems everywhere in the world without any exception. The Coronavirus or Covid-19 has tried humanity in a manner which no pandemic did ever before. It is very difficult at this moment to estimate the value of the losses incurred by this pandemic.

The guidelines and instructions which have been issued during this testing time should be followed. The cases are being reported everyday. Still people affected by this virus and are admitted to hospitals. Covid-19 has yet not gone from the world. We are still praying as was taught in the Holy Quran: “Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us.” During this holy month of Ramadhan, we are also praying that this pain and misery is lifted from us.

But when we are praying, we cannot ignore the responsibilities on our shoulders. We should not cause more burden on the health system of any country where we live, including the Sultanate of Oman. This is an exceptional time and the system everywhere in the world is already overburdened. We have not seen such an affliction over last half a century.

When we appreciate that the everyone was very cooperative and continued to follow health measures and abide by protocols made to avoid the spread of the pandemic, we should also accept that at certain point we ignored some of these measures. If certain measures have been relaxed, it does not mean that Covid-19 has gone. This is the reason why authorities concerned are continuing their drive to vaccinate people or give them booster doses. There is no relaxation in tests and examinations of samples. All this is going on in our interest without any respite. We should realise that if we would try to swim against the tide, we will drown. What is required from each of us is not difficult than the efforts others are making to protect us day and night.

We should do an honest introspection of our day-to-day practices even in this testing time. We will find that there is strange contradiction between what we speak and do and within our practices. If we follow preventive measures at some place, we ignore it somewhere else. This fails the entire strategy to avoid the pandemic.

The Supreme Committee which was formed to guide the country during this testing time is continuously doing its work to save us from further trouble. The ministries of Health, Awqaf and Religious Affairs as well as the Royal Oman Police have never taken any rest from this emergency duties which they are doing since the outbreak of this pandemic. If we ignore any of their guidelines and protocols even during prayers in mosques, we not only put ourselves in trouble, but risk other's lives.

We know that due to the experience we had during last two years, awareness level has increased in the society. Therefore, there is no justification for any mistake during fasting and feasting. We must prove that the Covid-19 has made us a responsible and sensible society.