Homeland Security

The Sirens Must Wail Again
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Issue Net Edition | Date : 29 Mar , 2020

Analysing the response required for and by the target community one can zero down to the following:-

•  An epidemic unlike other Natural Disasters does not disrupt communications which are a most vital requirement in such testing times. It does however increase the load.

•  Its spread as a general rule goes unnoticed in the initial stages, thereafter spreads rapidly before it gets sufficient attention.

•  It may spread in a virulent manner and build a sudden pressure on Medical Institutions and Staff.

•  PPE demand will rise exponentially. Causing a surge in demand from all concerned, be they sanitary workers, domestic help, transportation employees or families.

•  Panic buying and crowding further upsets the situation.

•  The focus of responses centres around towns, cities, transportation hubs and hospitals.

•  Panic and the need for Self Preservation increases the problems, at times leading to irresponsible behaviour which further aggravates the situation.

•  Fear leads to families wanting to come together and thus cause a rush/flood of humans in and around transportation hubs. Lock downs cause further turmoil and risk of spread at such points.

•  Lock downs lead to reduction of production, jobs and loss of finances. In a cyclical manner lock downs also lead to a drop in availability of medicines /PPE required for day to day functions, thus the requirement for a careful balance.

•  Isolation requires door to door services for all, regardless of position or affluence. This in turn calls for quick and well coordinated responses by the Administration assisted by RWAs.

•  Isolation also leads to personal isolation and boredom which in turn requires a proper routine, self discipline, exercise and family /individual creativity.

•  Volunteer groups within colonies/residential areas to assist and support others.

A deliberate attempt has been made to keep this as short and crisp as possible for ease of understanding.

Preventive Measures & Responses

It goes without saying that endemics/pandemics are community based diseases encouraged by a lack of hygiene, social customs and culture and the absence of a sense of responsibility.

Health Education Programmes, Healthy Systems of Sanitation, Personal Hygiene of Families/ communities is a must. It is critical that all such programs reach down to the smallest social unit; Families/homes as a habit. To this extent the “Swach Bharat” endeavour by Sri Narender Modi our respected Prime a Minister has been in the right direction, although its implementation has so far left much to be desired, it’s a beginning none the less.

RWAs play a very important role in all of this including Counter Terrorism as has been demonstrated in the Western Countries where residents have risen to the occasion, relieving Government agencies of much pressure.

 It is imperative for the RWAs to act as a link between residents and Civil Administration. Their willing cooperation will ensure orderly conduct and obedience of orders promulgated from time to time, look after the elderly and infirm, facilitate door to door distribution of daily needs, medicines and so forth.

In addition to the above, they would also assist in reporting and quarantining those affected thus reducing the risk of spreading further infection.

Reduced load on Hospitals allows proper treatment of individuals affected /requiring urgent attention and also prevents avoidable spread.

Families following good habits of hygiene and self discipline are likely to be less affected.

Daily wagers , taxi drivers, domestic help, nursing staff, require special attention and assistance by way of PPE, screening, hygiene and provision of lively hood in terms of supplies of food etc. Employers need to be extra sensitive to the needs of such individuals.

Each house hold, as a habit stocks for a week if not more, depending upon their economic wellbeing and number of family members. Therefore they need to be reassured that door to door delivery will start before that week gets over.

” If” and that is the big question “If” the community can undertake responsibility for their own conduct, hygiene and reporting of cases, cooperate /support the Civil Administration where required, act as self support systems for residents around, more than half the battle is won. This leaves the Government’s hands and minds free to work on bigger issues like economic recovery, retention of Jobs, Industrial recovery and so forth. Industry must respond with quick solutions for medication/ testing kits, shelters and much more.

In Conclusion: Back to the Siren

Periodic rehearsals ,to practice the entire Populace /Stake holders from time to time is essential.

 It gets the administration to update data of vendors, residents, age profile, state of transport, hospitals , beds, ventilators, medical industry, employees in essential services and much more.

 It gets the RWAs and through them all residents alerted and puts systems in place to bring such a disaster under control without panic.

Just imagine for a moment; all residential areas under the RWAs shutting their gates to allow controlled entry/exit, at the gate maintaining a register to record who comes /goes and a brief on medical condition (recorded by a volunteer who could use an IR Thermometer if required) reporting of individuals with a travel history and so forth, how this would ease the job of the Administration? Life would be easier and risks reduced!

Our system of Aadhar Cards & Cell phones gives the Administration/residents a ready database and connectivity.

Given the present situation, the Government and the People deserve to be complimented for the responses so far.

The “Siren However Must Wail Again” and periodic mock drills through Civil Defence or by the NDMA be revived lest we wake up facing a calamity too large to handle in the absence of preparation.

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The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Brig Pradeep Sharma

a regularly contributes defence related columns to news dailies.

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