A NEW variant of Coronavirus named Omicron has triggered fresh wave of fear in the world. Things have escalated to an extent of emergency immediately after the mutation was declared as Variant of Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO). These are still early days of the new finding but the response sought by Governments from its people across various continents is rather perplexing and at the best seems a knee-jerk reaction to an unproven threat. The variant, termed dangerous by the world, has been found by scientists in South Africa and they are still trying to understand its properties and ability to evade immune responses triggered by vaccines. As per initial records, the variant was predominantly detected in one province in South Africa among non-vaccinated persons. With no foolproof study on its transmissibility and severity, the panic button pressed by the world seems totally unnecessary. Agreed, one must prepare in advance to tackle any threat like the Omicron. But the response has to come in a sedate manner without spreading panic in the society.

 

The scientific community had already warned of further mutations of the virus in various forms and sizes. Dealing with the new variants entails a measured and cool-headed approach rather than creating a buzz around unfounded dangers of the virus. Such approach can only lead to demoralising of the entire population. It is also detrimental to the efforts undertaken by all nations while marching towards normalcy in the post-COVID world. If there is anything the world should avoid after the discovery of Omicron, then it is fear-mongering. Given the sudden hue and cry over the new variant, whose severity and resistance to antibodies is still not known, there is every reason to suspect that a concerted campaign is underway at the behest of some lobbies to create panic in people and serve some vested interests. This is not an effort to disregard the scientific finding but only questioning the manner in which the threat is being presented with a clear intention to create disturbance.

 

The world has remained witness to such campaigns launched on the sly by a nexus of pharma companies, corrupt elements in various governments and health sector to boost some specific medical products. There is documented evidence of such foul plays while hyping up outbreaks of Swine Flu, Mad Crow Disease and Bird Flu. In the end, all of those flew over the nest. The correct strategy is increased vaccination, masking, social distancing, testing and keeping a tab on international arrivals which Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has asked the health machinery to follow with immediate effect. India knows the price it had to pay during the first wave when testing facilities were inadequate to monitor international travellers. It had contributed in rapid transmission of COVID-19 in 2020. The Omicron needs a calculated response like what India has planned. The country has come out extremely wiser from the two deadly coronavirus waves in the last two years. It is time to implement the lessons learned from the tragedy in a systematic way rather than falling to the panic trap.