Apologies in advance for this very long thread. But here goes: Anyone criticising the way the govt has handled or is handling the corona crisis is not looking to deprive poor people of their livelihood.>>

Let's see what's been happening: we don't have enough vaccines; but more than that we have not had a proper vaccine campaign. This is just fact. If we were to launch a proper vaccination campaign, we would also need the corresponding amount of vaccine shots>>

Starting last march, the govt has been dithering on proper messaging. And, while private companies (the media) and ordinary citizens can and MUST play their part, this is much more on the state: go all-out on the messaging front.>>

Tell ppl every day to get the vaccine, tell them to mask up, tell them that this IS a very dangerous virus/disease.
Because if you dont do that -- and Pakistan hasn't till now -- there is literally no other option but to start shutting down unnecessary activity>>

We can argue till the end of times whether lockdowns help or not but I'm pretty sure workplaces (corporate, local small businesses, factories) where ppl congregate and work in larger numbers are Covid dens since people are NOT adhering to distance or masks>>

So this is when talk of lockdowns begins. Because it's really either complete SOP adherence (WFH, masks for essential work, distancing in public transport AND vaccination efforts) OR making sure ppl are sitting tight at home so the rate of infection drops>>

This is not and should not become a fight between ppl on Twitter on who is more pro-people because frankly wanting everyone to live sounds rather pro-people (inc the poor who will not be able to afford even a day in a Covid ward) to me>>

A few months back, I saw a friend die in a hospital. On his last day in this world, we had to wait eight hours for him to get a bed at ANY ward in the hospital. This is not bec the hospital was incompetent; there were literally no beds available>>

And at that time, the Covid situation wasn't half as bad as it is right now. You dont want to see someone you love lie on a stretcher in pain for eight hours. And I hope no one has to go through that>>

What you see as hysteria is people reliving the trauma of being so very helpless because our health infrastructure cannot keep up with this virus. That is why there should be outrage on 85,000 kids taking the CIE exams, or on govt ministers and officials taking photos unmasked>>

I hope we all stay safe, all of us -- no matter what party or ideology we follow. We can fight it out on Twitter later on. For now, we really do need to make sure we constantly ask the state/the govt to do its best to help us live. Peace and #WearAMask