Why are we so gullible? We seem to accept anything as the gospel truth. Even when there is wisdom and judgement that suggests otherwise, we let lies infect the mind with surprising ease. Are we self-hypnotising lest we lose out on a good story that may evolve?
We believe in poll time gimmicks, even the likes of a deposit of 15 Lakh Rupees to every account or poverty eradicated in five years’ time. Every political party routinely promises the moon during election time. People believe them election after election, even if nothing is delivered. Another narrative has been that nothing has been done or achieved in the last 56/60 years. It only needs a little wisdom to go back to late 1940’s and see what was available in the country then, when the Englishmen left and what is currently available. Is it “cognitive fluency” at work?
Is it not that the hospital infrastructure, the medical care that was built then that is actually coming to rescue now? It is true that it may be inadequate, pushed as it is, by the pandemic or that a large part of that infrastructure was built by philanthropists. At least it could be said that there existed a conducive environment for philanthropy to thrive then. In a crisis everyone pools in resources and fights the enemies. Is it not necessary now, that all political parties and politicians big or small come together instead of scoring brownie points?
What is “cognitive fluency”? If a story even if it is a myth, fits with our expectations, and is good and coherent that is simple to imagine, it will be accepted as truth. “If something feels smooth and easy to process, then our default is to expect things to be true,” says Eryn Newman a cognitive psychologist. She further says that a slick presentation will instantly boost the cognitive fluency of a claim, while raising its believability. Easy-to-read fonts, speaking with good enunciation, all increase cognitive fluency. Repeating the message, a little too often, will help to keep it fresh in the minds. Soon, it begins to feel as familiar and comfortable as the erroneous myth and the tide of opinion begins to turn. Are we not witness to this every day?
In a country where literacy levels can be found wanting, rumours spread thick and fast. There are some genuine and some farfetched covid concerns that are doing the rounds through various social media platforms which people believe and panic. They must be countered as fast as they arrive lest they damage the social fabric.
Last year’s messages were that only older adults and people with pre-existing conditions were at risk of infections and complications. The second wave has shown us how mistaken an idea this was, with even children and young adults succumbing. One other message was that Chinese food can cause Covid infection. Several hotels went off of all Chinese food, when the truth is that it does not. The virus will die off when temperatures rise is another, when scientists do not still know how temperature changes influence its behaviour. One interesting message circulating is that people staying in high rise buildings are more prone to catch the virus from urine and faeces passing through the sewage pipes. Some scientists suggest that such viruses might persist in faeces. An oft repeated message is that the virus originated in a laboratory in China, when there is no evidence to back up this rumour. Is the virus a natural product of evolution? We may never know. Now, this one may be calibrated by tipsters. does drinking alcohol reduce the risk of infection? WHO explains that while alcohol can disinfect the skin, it does not have the same effect inside the body. Can antibiotics kill coronavirus? Truth is that they only kill bacteria and not viruses.
Can one contract the virus in swimming pools, hot tubs, or water parks disinfected with chlorine or bromine? Several societies closed them as a consequence, though no such evidence was available. However, one can certainly contract the virus by inhaling respiratory droplets that contain the virus or coming into contact with infected surfaces in these and other shared spaces. Most recent one was that no transmission is possible from vaccinated people. Again, there is no evidence to substantiate the claim.
However, it is extremely necessary that all must be vaccinated to fight the virus. Of course, there are misplaced fears and religious beliefs among some that the vaccines may lead to impotency and other disorders. A narrative must be built around such scientific fraud and misinformation.
What can the Government do to fight off the Virus now? Can we create a separate empowered ministry to strategize, plan and execute all Covid related issues? Maybe a national team like the GST task force, comprising of scientists, epidemiologists, health ministers/secretaries formed to develop policies on testing, tracking, vaccinating, curfew, lockdowns, oxygen etc. Can we place orders for say 2.5 billion vaccines to meet the demand? It would cost no more than 30000 crores. Further, can we evoke the NDMA act and sections 90/92 of patents act so the path to manufacturing vaccines is easy? Can all the hospitals be mandated to have their own oxygen plants?
Removing all taxes (Direct & indirect) on every medicine, equipment or hospitals for a period of two years, expanding health infrastructure for testing and treatment, giving tax breaks for such investments is the need. Deploying medical, pharma and nursing students in field hospitals, supervised by senior doctors can augment the current deficiencies in healthcare workers.
Proper data alone can suggest corrective action. Ensuring proper count of tests, segregating the positives among them, reporting correct count of deaths are all important. Allowing people to fend for themselves or allow the dead to be dumped in rivers will do no good except further exacerbating the ground reality. Let not quacks, self-declared medical personnel or Godmen dictate the policies.
The Covid apocalypse may seem unsurmountable in hindsight, but the indelible marks and cracks it will leave in our rational thinking can have serious, even dangerous consequences. Let there be a plan. Strategize. Decentralise power. Trust the scientists. Put out transparent data. Manage realty. Forget the perception. In the long run, the world will judge us on how we fought this war and won!