The first wave of Covid-19 had certainly created many difficulties in the world and had kept most of the economic activities on hold. It turned out to be one of the greatest threats to all human lives creating a strong impact on everything; from our lifestyle to mental health to serious socio-economic problems. Although the number of cases of an infected person by this virus was decreasing in countries like India and Nepal after the first wave, the cases have started to increase gradually in March and April after the finding of mutation of the virus of both UK- Variant and Indian- Variant which has resulted in a sudden rise in 2nd wave of the Covid-19.
On 7th May 2021, Kathmandu valley reported 6252 new Covid-19 cases, against the 9023 cases across the country which is about 300% increase compared to the figures from a month ago. Many of those who were tested are school children, teachers, and students going abroad and most of them have shown positive for UK strain B.1.1.7, which was first detected in Nepal back in January. The current wave is twice as severe as the first one but the number of deaths has not increased more than the first wave. The 2nd wave was started after September 2020 in US and European Countries and current days, 3rd wave is seen there.
Why Sudden Rise?
The second wave was seen earlier in European countries back in September 2020. But in India and Nepal, the curve was flattening and moving down slowly for five months continuously. The clear explanation for this is still a mystery but scientists have proposed some theories. Climate could be one of the factors in places like India and Nepal where, there is more humidity, a high temperature which is not the favourable condition for the virus to survive where it finds cold places better for survival. But as for now, the negligence of people towards their health safety and protocols, and not avoiding large public gatherings, and failure of maintenance of social distancing has boosted the sudden rise of several cases. Around this time, participation of the crowd in rituals, festivals, ceremonies, seminars, and gatherings has helped to bring back a large number of people from being infected by the virus to present. It seems that most of the people have completely forgotten about the horrors of the last year’s pandemic and its outbreak that developed the feeling of terror in the whole world. Many say that the virus has mutated and when mutated, the virus becomes generally more infectious. But ultimately, people’s negligence and stupidity too can’t be ignored blindly.
Impact On Student Life
Students had gone through a lot during the pandemic. It (has been) a tough challenge for all the students over the world to adapt to the difficult situation, where everything, relating from their daily lifestyle, education, finance, housing to mental and physical health was changed and were greatly impacted. The implementation of lockdown to minimize the rate of infection was needed but has it wasn’t that successful, effective, and proper. There is no proper explanation about how the second wave started but seen today the number of rising cases.
Parliamentary Committee of Nepal instructed the government to immediately stop the physical classes and start operating online classes in high-risk areas and take strict against those schools that are ignoring health precautions and safety measures. This has created fear in students that they might face another hiatus in education. Around 7,000,000 students from over 3,000 educational institutes of the country are being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Though, the government has ordered to extend the academic year by two months and reduce the course study hours by 30%. But for a country like Nepal, online classes are not feasible as all the students cannot afford internet and devices. The problem is that online classes are not even a short-term solution option for primary school children. Social and emotional bonding and contact with teachers and friends is really important for a child’s development. Also, sitting for long hours in front of the blue screen affects the eyes of the students. This makes learning more challenging. We can’t ignore the fact that online education has created a digital gap between those who have access to the internet and technology at home and those who do not.
The present time is challenging and filled with (hardship). Even now, the possibility remains, if we follow proper health protocols, the number of rising cases can be minimized and controlled. It’s up to us whether we choose to be careless and get infected by the virus or be wise enough to avoid mass gatherings and make ourselves as well as others safe. The actions we choose to overcome this tough period will mark how we define ourselves, stupid or careful.
Samyam Shrestha
Creative Writer
arcus media 
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