We have been hearing news about some governors in the United States is considering the easing social distancing restrictions in their eagerness to resume the economic activity. However, the new estimates by researchers at Harvard University say that easing the Shutdown may be a dangerous option now.
They suggest that the United States cannot safely reopen unless it conducts more than three times the number of coronavirus tests it is currently administering over the next month. An average of 146,000 people per day has been tested for the coronavirus nationally so far this month.
If this is the case of the United States, one can imagine the consequences for India. India has tested less than four lakh samples for novel coronavirus so far and we are already relaxing the Lockdown norms. Luckily, things are not as serious as in the United States but a prolonged Lockdown may be the need of the hour for India now.
The country is relaxing several services from 20th April and it is not clear if the Lockdown will be extended beyond May 3rd. This is a test of the country’s leadership as it poses a challenge to choose between public safety and the economy. It is not an easy decision to make.
