Coronavirus: How to cope with people who have stopped following COVID guidelines

COVID-19 is not just another disease that will diminish over a period of time or something that can be vaccinated out of our lives. It has been amongst us for over a year now and continues to impact our health and mental well-being in many ways. While scientists and experts have developed vaccines and scientific remedies for the same, it is important that we as individuals do our part in curbing the spread of the infection. Along with it, it is also our responsibility to check those who neglect the safety protocols and have let their guards down in the face of yet another COVID wave.

The onset of the second COVID wave highlighted not just the unpredictability of the virus, but also the damage COVID variants and negligence can cause. It brought about an unperceivable challenge to the lives and livelihoods of people and also took a massive toll on the country's medical infrastructure.

While there's no way we can undo the past, we can surely learn from it and avoid potential dangers in the future. But given that several states have lifted their border restrictions and eased their COVID guidelines, people seem to have taken a U-turn and returned back to square one. That said, at a time, when the possibility of a third COVID wave is under talks and being speculated, it is of highly crucial that we revisit the mistakes we made and prevent another surge in the COVID cases.

Read more: COVID: Things the second wave of coronavirus taught us and mistakes we should avoid

Vaccinations are the need of the hour not just because it protects you from serious infections, but it can also help contain the spread of the virus. However, even after being fully vaccinated, you can still get COVID-19 but less likely to get really sick.

That said, while you can still contract the virus, you can be a potential spreader and an asymptomatic carrier. This in turn puts everyone around you, especially those who have a compromised immunity and those who are not vaccinated yet, under great risks, which is why you must continue to wear your masks and maintain social distance at all costs.

There could be many reasons behind why people don't wear their masks. It can be because people find masks uncomfortable or are too confident that they won't contract the virus. But given that even fully vaccinated people can get infected, wearing masks should not be taken lightly. While some people understand the gravity of the situation, others tend to be negligent. That being said, if you come across anyone who isn't wearing their masks or is not following proper protocols, here are some things you can convey.

Read more: Coronavirus: What do we know about the possible third wave of COVID-19

Other than protecting you from serious infections, wearing a mask keeps you and your loved ones safe. It is one of the most effective ways to minimise the risk of infections and can also curb the spread of the virus.

For those, who are not vaccinated, wearing a mask is extremely crucial and the only source of protection.

The second wave was a lesson. It taught us how precautionary measures, social distancing and practicing good hygiene can all contribute to ensuring our safety. With new variants emerging every now and then, it is important that we limit our travels and stay home for as long as we can until the pandemic is over.

People who do not maintain social distance, you must politely remind them of how devastating the second wave was and how maintaining distance can reduce the risk of transmission from person to person. This could help in avoiding a potential third wave.

Our world is populated with all kinds of people. While some are young, healthy and strong, there are those who are aged, have pre-existing comorbidities and also those who have compromised immunity. That said, while some people may believe they're physically fit and less prone to COVID infections, experts suggest otherwise and recommend taking proper COVID measures and getting yourself vaccinated. At the same time, even though you're young or vaccinated, there is no guarantee that you cannot contract the virus, which is why you can put others i.e. the most vulnerable people at risk.