No Mask, Yes Entry! Has The Pandemic Ended In India?

Maharashtra, in spite of being the worst affected state in India in terms of COVID-19 infections and fatalities, has still become the first state in the country to make wearing of masks ‘not compulsory’ with effect from April 2, 2022 (Gudi Padva, Marathi New Year Day) apart from lifting of all other restrictions and COVID-appropriate behavior norms. This is followed in real haste by the Delhi government today by waiving off the penalties for not wearing masks. The decisions seem to have been taken to give the much-needed relief to near-normal citizens from the hottest summer months ahead, rather than having no concern for a possible fourth wave. You see, the amount of sweating behind the masks has to be avoided somehow! The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal is wiser to lift all other curbs except for the norms of strictly wearing masks and observing sanitization cum hand hygiene in all public places. Obviously, the experts are divided on the issue—some supporting the move saying yo