There is an odd kind of shame associated with people who test positive. Many in my locality are keeping their positive status a secret out of fear of social ostracization. Only the very privileged can afford to stay at home and have food security in a country like India.

I am not talking about those who go for large religious festivals or to pubs. Those whose labour allows the rest to pontificate from the safety of our homes must treat those who get infected with compassion. Political prisoners and others in congested jails are also getting it.

While those with caste and class privilege are scrambling to source beds, meds and oxygen what kind of medical care are the workers and prisoners getting?

We must keep fcus on state accountability and universal access to health services and food security rather than individual shaming.