Precisely three months back, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Oman’s Minister of Health delivered a heartfelt appeal to the nation, stressing that “we all behave sensibly”, while adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures. At that time, there were only less than 800 cases reported daily, while the deaths were below 20.

When we just thought “everything is under control”, we are descended into an unprecedented spread of the virus that has killed 755 people in June, making it the deadliest month. But what is really happening and who should we blame for this catastrophic outbreak? 

Last Friday, I took an evening driving to Muscat but to my surprise the roads which usually looks deserted was busy, a sight you usually witness during a week day. 

I was horrified to see huge numbers of people ignoring government advice to enjoy a weekend in the sunshine swarming markets, and shopping malls. Why is our society becoming so irresponsible? Why do some people dodge their responsibility in these difficult times? This selfish acts by some is costing the country. In the last one week, we lost 292 lives, taking the total death count in the country to 3,140. How far can this go? 

We at The Arabian Stories (TAS), have been getting messages and e-mails asking if the government would impose a full lockdown. Calling for a full-lockdown is not a joke. Getting out of it could be harder, unless we are crystal clear and totally unambiguous about our basic intent. The night-lockdown which is already in its 15th-day, but has done a little to reduce the cases. 

The spread of the virus has left the country’s economy and business counting the costs which has prompted the Supreme Committee to say that will be the “last option” to take to control the invisible virus that has wrecked havoc over the last one and half years.

Health is of primary importance, and our health workers are working round the clock to ensure we all stay safe. We cannot blame the government either, as they are doing the best to protect us. 

There are many ways the virus can be controlled and for that we need to stand together. What we all can do is to create a lockdown within our homes, and ensure we only go for work, let just one person from the family get groceries, and stay much time within our homes. Until we control the virus, let us avoid this madness during the weekend. It’s a tough choice to stay indoors, but that is the best option because this a battle for survival. 

And as our dearest Minister Al Saidi pointed out recently, “wear a mask, social distance, get a vaccine – all for the sake of keeping this country safe.”