‘Time to end lockdown in phases’

Padmini.Sivarajah@timesgroup.com

11,04.2020

Continuing the present lockdown is unwarranted and it should be released in a phased manner, as soon as possible, former professor of immunology at the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Dr R M Pitchappan said.

Speaking to TOI, he said that viral infections have been playing havoc on mankind since time immemorial. At the end of the day, it was the subclinical infection and herd immunity that prevailed and protected the population.

It is usually stated that in immunogenetic parlance that “not all the infected develop the disease”. Thus, even if a virus entered a host, it need not essentially manifest into a disease, which is sometimes called ‘virulence’. The virulence dies out with time. “This is what we aim to achieve through lockdowns,” he said.

The virus that is wreaking havoc in other countries is slow in its spread in India. The three weeks’ lockdown in India has given a breather to organize ourselves, medical aid and enable tracking and isolating the cases and contacts. Essentially, this has cut the chain transmission into community, which is the first step in tackling any new pandemic/epidemic.

Pitchappan said that it is now time to consider the cost benefit ratio. The economy of the country and livelihood of individuals should be considered. He said the extension of the full lockdown was not needed. “This suggestion was based on the history of infectious diseases – their pandemic/epidemic in the past and their elimination/ disappearance from the world,” he said.