The government policy to counter Omicorn which is now surging and causing many deaths daily seems to be contradicting with the realities on the ground. Media report said the government has decided to extend the ongoing closure of schools, colleges and universities across the country for at least two more weeks considering threat to public health. But another media report said it is going to hold Ekushey Book Fair from February 15 — two weeks delayed from February 1. Frankly we can’t understand how and why the government is considering the impact of the pandemic on two different parameters. A cohesive policy is lacking.
We are aware of the concern of parents and guardians on the ground that their children may get exposed to contamination from crowding at schools, colleges and other academic institutions and better they keep at home. But the Ekushey Book Fair always draws more crowds where social distancing is entirely impossible. We know that Dhaka international trade fair was a total boomerang – neither it could spring the wings of festivities under the threat of Omicorn infections nor the government could pulled the courage to shut it on populist political consideration. Businesses which had opened stalls at Dhaka International Trade Fair went home after month long fair with frustration from unfulfilled business.
We are witnessing bureaucracy led government at its worst.
