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NATION SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | The Indian Eye 8

COvid-19 pandemiC

experts warn of Florida-like

situation in india if schools open

amid fears of third wave

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says in order to revive the economy

the government is taking every step to ramp up vaccination in the country

S GOpal puri Students gather in an assembly on the first day of reopening of school,
New Delhi in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

r Samiran Panda, the restrictions and increased vac- resh Trehan has also cautioned then they should be allowed
head of Epidemiolo- cinations, learning from Del- against the re-opening of schools to go to school but it seems we
Dgy and Communicable hi and Maharashtra. Due to and said that since the vaccine is are in a rush right now to open
Diseases at the Indian Council this, the second wave in several around the corner, the govern- schools.” Dr Trehan’s remarks
of Medical Research (ICMR) states was not as intense, leaving ment should wait for two-three came as the Delhi government
on Monday said that the states scope for a third wave. There- months till the children get vac- announced the re-opening of
which did not face an intense fore, the increasing number of cinated against COVID-19. schools in the national capital
second wave of the COVID-19 COVID-19 infections in some Dr Trehan said, “I believe from September 1 for classes
pandemic are now with the in- states presently is indicating a that we should be a lot more 9-12. But, students will need
creasing trend of COVID-19 third wave,” he said. cautious. And the fact is that parents consent and no one will
cases, showing early signs of the “Every state should look into the vaccine is now around the be forced to attend the classes.
third wave. their number of COVID-19 in- corner because the drug con- Some groups of doctors, acade-
In an interview, Panda said fections and its intensity in both troller just approved the Zy- micians called for an immediate
that it is important to not talk the first and the second wave of dus vaccine. So even if people resumption of in-person classes
of India as a whole and to in- the pandemic to decide about get one dose, we know that the in schools.
stead take a state-specific view their strategy/pandemic pre- protection goes up 30 per cent Further speaking the Med-
when talking about COVID-19 paredness for the possibility of to 50 per cent. So, we should be anta Chairman and Managing
because all the states are not the third wave,” the doctor added. patient for another two-three Director said, “In US, schools
homogenous. “Several states Medanta Chairman and months till the vaccine arrives, opened but even after vaccina-
began imposing COVID-19 Managing Director Dr Na- children get vaccinated, and Continued on next page... >>

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