IMA voiced concern over mass gatherings,third wave inevitable

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to the Central and state governments to not let the guard down on the Covid front warning that a third wave was just around the corner. It expressed pain over complacency shown by authorities and the public in various parts of India at this crucial juncture. IMA has voiced concern over mass gatherings across the country. India has been witnessing a drop in new confirmed cases but experts have warned that lowering the guard could allow a resurgence of the virus. The consequences of treating a Covid patient and its impact on the economy will be much better than the economic loss suffered by avoiding such mass gatherings, it said. IMA President Dr Johnrose Austin Jayalal appealed to all state governments to translate the "vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi" of a unified battle against the pandemic and control all mass gatherings.

It warned that India had only recently walked out of the disastrous second wave, thanks to considerable efforts of the modern medical fraternity and political leadership. "With the global evidence available and the history of any pandemics, the third wave is inevitable and imminent...However, it is painful to note...in many parts of the country both the government and public are complacent and engaged in mass gatherings without following Covid protocols," an IMA press release said on Monday. "Tourist bonanza, pilgrimage travel, religious fervour are all needed but can wait for a few more months. Opening up these rituals and enabling people without vaccination to go scot-free in these mass gatherings are potential super spreaders for the Covid third wave," it said.