When will we be able to end the lockdown?

The entire world is currently on lockdown, with almost every conscious citizen practising self-isolation or quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. Streets are empty and Bangladesh is also shut down. The question on everyone's lips is how much longer will we have to be in this situation? According to a report written by Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration and currently a resident fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, lockdown can be lifted after completing a few phases. The very first phase is the one we are currently in. It involves social distancing and closure of schools and public gathering places in an attempt to slow the spread of the infection.

The second phase can be fully successful when we will have the capacity to test, identify and isolate those who are infected with the novel coronavirus and those who have come in close contact with the COVID-19 patients. This phase still requires social distancing to be intact. To even consider lifting the restrictions there has to be a decrease in the cases nationwide. This has to be studied for a while to make sure it is consistent and it has to be compared with the neighbouring nations to make sure everyone is seeing similar trends. The drop in cases has to be consistent, ideally starting with a low number and gradually increasing.

Third phase will see the restrictions being lifted, and this can happen when there is an effective therapy or vaccine available or it is evident that immunity has been widespread.

Other factors include continuous testing available throughout the nation, proper protective gear for health care workers, and proper nonmedical masks for the general people. An additional benefit could be achieved through the establishment of serological tests or other rapid tests, which could provide quick results and therefore increase the success of the identification and isolation step. When lifting restrictions, it is important to be able to track and deal with any side effects, which could possibly be an increase in cases after lifting the restrictions which is why the nation has to be equipped to deal with that before it happens through testing and supply of protective gear. This may result in the crisis happening again; therefore the nation needs to be prepared.

In brief, without being sure that the health care workers are able to tackle another outbreak it would not be wise to lift the restrictions. The government can even consider returning to normal if it is sure the preparations are complete. If the health advisors believe we have met the requirements, they will recommend lifting the restrictions. Their goal is simple, to protect its citizen, at the moment the best thing we can do to help them and help ourselves is to listen to them. Stay home and stay safe.