Muscat – The reopening of commercial activities, a step necessitated by the condition of the country’s economy, may contribute to a spike in coronavirus cases as people drop their guard against the virus. Even though statistics on the COVID-19 situation in Oman are no longer announced, it’s unfortunate to see people not following the health safety norms set by experts to fight against the pandemic.
Have we become careless after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions? Is it not a personal responsibility to observe the bare minimum caution – including wearing face masks in crowded places and maintaining hand sanitation – to safeguard our health? Here is what Muscat Daily readers have to say:

Dr Sanjay Dalal
Family physician

A few people in society have a ‘don’t care’ attitude. Unless a strict rule with punishment is enforced, they don’t bother. Every individual in society is responsible for not only their own safety but also the safety of everyone around.

Dr Trishna
Dentist

COVID-19 spreads in the community only when it is invited. Old variant or new, all spread through the same route – our own carelessness. As soon as we stop following the appropriate measures, COVID-19 will come back. If everyone becomes responsible by following protocols, the authorities will not need to put back the restrictions and the country and the economy will not suffer.

Muna Basheer al Zadjali
Private sector employee

The infection level continues to be the same as in the past. In this situation, the public should not be careless. We should follow the guidelines of the government. If we follow these, we will protect ourselves and others. These include continuing to carry out the recommendations and following safety measures such as wearing masks, washing hands regularly and observing social distancing.

Aaron Pinto
Jobseeker

Not careless but rather we have taken great steps towards normalcy which is the need of the hour after two years of struggle and evident reduction of the pandemic’s wrath. Observing the bare minimum caution is appreciated, hopefully without undoing our hard earned progress towards normalcy.

Mohammad Darwish
Private sector employee

I feel that we have indeed become very careless in the last few months. I know that the government no longer asks us to wear masks, but we must be responsible for our own safety. If we don’t wear masks, we can at least maintain social distancing and avoid crowded places. This Eid, I was indeed surprised to see how people have totally forgotten the painful two years.

Ramesh Babu
Private sector employee

We may all be vaccinated with three doses, but I feel we have become very casual these days. I hardly see people use hand sanitiser. Also, people cough and sneeze without the basic precaution. There are random home parties with a large number of people. This is scary. People must be cautious. We have a short memory, which is tragic.

Mohan Anandan
Bank employee

The Ministry of Health issued a timely warning ahead of the Eid celebrations saying that the coronavirus is still around and emphasised the need to take appropriate precautionary measures by the public. We must understand that danger is still lurking around as is evident from reports from across the world about rising numbers of COVID-19 infection. It is incumbent on us to take precautions.

Haresh7382 (via Instagram)

It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves, and other people too, by wearing a mask in crowded places.

Shakila Javed (via Facebook)

No, we have not become careless but we should remember that health comes first. We should not forget that health is wealth.