In the developed countries and transitioning economies, We have seen the rules of lockdown being relaxed so that people are being allowed to go to beaches and other to jog. In some US states, for example people are enjoying their spring out despite the soaring impact of covid-19. Is it time that we accept the virus is with us and learn how to live with it just as the case with HIV? If so what measures must we take to contain spread of coronavirus?
For me it is still too early for countries to relax the rules for containing the pandemic.
Thankyou Viníciu Fagundes Bárbara for your answer. But when do we say this is the right time? What indicators do we use?
In fact, I don't think anyone has that answer. What we can do is monitor the development of official data and try to draw strategies from them, whether preventive or corrective.
Viníciu Fagundes Bárbara i agree with your suggestions but my concern is for developing countries such as Tanzania, which do not even have official data on Covid-19, have no preventative measures and business is going on as usual. This technically means that the virus is here with us and will be for a long time even without our knowledge
Thankyou for your answer Nadia Albayati and contribution to this discussion
While some countries like Germany have announced plans to lift the lock entirely from June 6, as coronavirus cases and deaths in the country have dropped to a new low today, others expect replace locking measures with "recommendations" and take more stringent measures locally if necessary. However, this lifting of rectification is described by some as a dangerous and premature experience. Indeed, if the restrictions are lifted sooner than expected, a new explosive outbreak is inevitable, since the basic principles of the virus have not changed, an infected person will transmit it, without locking, to at least three others on average. This would risk bringing people back to where they started. More caution is therefore recommended.
Countries like Ghana who initially relaxed covid-19 lockdown have seen a surge of the cases and so I agree with Ben Boubakary . However, until when will it be safe to reopen and to what extent will the vulnerable economies of developing nations be affected remains the real concern
Ben Boubakary is right about the need for extreme caution before relaxing lockdown restrictions against coronavirus. However, in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other African countries, some informal sector traders have been resisting these restrictions almost from day one, as evidenced by their running battles with the police trying to enforce the ban. There has also been more testing of returning residents than local residents. There is therefore need for detailed data on COVID-19 infections, recovery and mortality rates among local residents before suspending the lockdown.
Ramatu Ussif
thankyou for your contribution. The question is until when will we consider it safe to open up?
It is not really safe but because of economic deterioration, they have to release.
Thankyou for your contributions Nadia Albayati and Aziz Yousif Al-muttalibi
Even if the lockdown is lifted, proper SOPs have to be strictly followed.
I agree Tariq Khan but it is very difficult to enforce strict adherence to SOPs especially in densely populated areas such as cities
Relaxation will increase the chance of infection and spoil the environment in terms of pollution.
Very true Abhijit Mitra and thankyou for your response. However, a time will come when we will have no choice but open up considering this virus is not going anytime soon.
I now agree Aziz Yousif Al-muttalibi I have seen countries like South Korea taking an about turn after a second wave of the pandemic after relaxing lockdown, Beijing the same. Just hope we can get a cure soon or vaccine soon.
As of now, it's not safe, we need vaccine so we can move forward.
I concur Abiola Olawale Ilori after seeing the experience of South Korea and Beijing, China
Who ever accepted the HIV virus as a permanent part of human life? Tell that to the many researchers, community activists, study participants and public health programs united to eliminate HIV infection now that we have the means to prevent its spread! Joan Nyika, is that what they teach in Kenya, that we should end preventive measures against viruses that can kill off huge numbers of people and leave the fate of your people to a game of “Survival: Covid-19 and HIV Edition?”
Thankyou for your opinion David Gene Ostrow they are very valuable in this discussion
countries that care about the lives of their citizens won‘t relax the lockdown rules now.
Very true but those focusing on economic growth will do it Abiodun Ajayi
In light of the fact that South Africa is experiencing a sharp rise in reported coronavirus cases, it is not safe for countries in Southern Africa to relax lockdown rules and restrictions. South Africa recently surpassed the UK in coronavirus infections and is now a regional epicentre for the pandemic.
The lockdown can be eased out but with some restrictions in place. The lockdown can be lifted in some sectors and with some restrictions in place in some sectors. The sectors where lockdown will be lifted..the people should be made to follow preventive measures including wearing of mask, social distancing and avoiding unnecessary coming out of houses. As the cases may decrease,then the lockdown can be lifted completely. The travel should be banned from outside the countries or states for time being.
Thank you Ruqia Quansar for your valuable contribution, really appreaciated
https://cddep.org/publications/covid-19-india-potential-impact-of-the-lockdown-and-other-longer-term-policies/
Very well written article discussing the opportunities and threats of the lockdown interventions for containment of SARS-COV2.
Not at all. Considering present situation, the time has not come to show the full relaxation against the lockdown rules and restrictions of C-19. This my personal opinion.
Thankyou Md. Abdur Razzak Choudhury for your valuable contribution. Highly appreciated
The virus is undergoing a kind of sinusoidal wave format i.e. up and down until it is finally dampened. The flat curve can be at zero or higher depending on various factors.