Surfing through two waves, learning lessons

‘It is incumbent upon us to adopt ideal strategies, whether old or new, to overcome the possible catastrophe heading our way’

The third wave has arrived. We now know that no two waves are identical and that each wave is unique. Each variant of the virus has its own clinical symptoms, course and death rate and therefore requires a different course of management. The age and gender predilections also vary significantly, but what has remained constant is probably the fear, fatigue and foremost question — When will it end?

The first wave in India between March 2020 and December 2020, caused by the Alpha and Beta variants, typically involved all age groups. However, the older individuals and people with co-morbidities were more severely affected and unfortunately succumbed to the disease in large numbers. This wave was characterised by uncertainty and a gamut of therapeutic options lacking evidence, ranging from former President of the United States Donald Trump’s scientifically unfounded endorsement of hydroxychloroquine to the much-fancied convalescent plasma therapy. There was global confusion and chaos about the disease, its pathology and treatment.

Following a falsely reassuring period of relative stability, the second wave arrived with an onslaught of cases, involving a larger proportion of the younger age group. The villains of the second wave — the deadly Delta and Delta Plus variants — predominantly involved the lungs resulting in varying degrees of hypoxia necessitating oxygen therapy.