Now it is dengue in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. In the past two months, a worrying increase in dengue cases has been noted in Karachi. In September, 927 cases were reported and 900 cases in October. There is nothing surprising about this trend because in the beginning of winter season, when it is neither too hot nor too cold, the weather is conducive to fast breeding of mosquitoes; and similar is the case at the end of the season in February and March. The situation is no different in other parts of Sindh as 2,000 cases have been reported there in the ongoing year. Obviously, the lack of cleanliness in all parts of the province has provided a fertile ground for the rapid breeding of mosquitoes.
However, an official of the provincial government has described the spike in dengue cases in the above- mentioned months as a global phenomenon, saying a rise in the incidence of dengue is observed across the world in September, October and November. He says that now the situation is better than last year: in October 2019, around 6,000 cases were reported whereas in the same month this year the number is less than 1,000. He claims that aerial spray is being carried out in areas hit hard by the dengue virus.
The official has, however, not mentioned the piles of garbage lying uncollected in most parts of Karachi and other places of the province. It is common knowledge that lack of cleanliness is an open invitation to diseases. The official’s assertions come as nothing but a pompous pretension when we look at the reality on the ground. This is not outright denial with regard to the rising incidence of dengue fever but it is something hard to believe. The best way to solve a problem is to make self-deceiving claims about its solution. It is a great art to laugh at one’s own misfortunes. So laugh it off.
Vienna attacks
Gunmen carrying Kalashnikovs attacked as many as six locations in the Austrian capital of Vienna, killing at least five people and injuring several others in what the interior minister described as “Islamist terrorist” incident. The attacks, including one near a synagogue in the city centre, were carried out by “several suspects armed with rifles”, according to the police. One of the attackers — who was wearing an explosives belt that turned out to be fake and who was identified by authorities as an sympathiser of the Islamic State group — was shot dead by the police while at least one more is said to be on the loose.
At first glance, it appeared as though Vienna’s central synagogue was the target. The synagogue has great significance to the local Jewish community. Built in the 1820s, it was the only synagogue in the country to survive Nazi rule during World War II and has also been the target of terrorist attacks in recent history. But local Jewish leaders later said they the synagogue itself was not attacked, but rather bystanders nearby.
Whether or not the attackers were targeting the synagogue, they found several victims on the busy street and in nearby cafes, innocent people who were enjoying their last dose of nightlife for a while. Hundreds of rounds were reportedly fired in the attack, making it miraculous that the casualty count stayed relatively low. School closures were announced due to the attack, and neighbouring countries tightened their borders to catch the terrorist if he tried to leave the country. The army was also deployed in the city as a massive manhunt continued through the night.
While a motive for the attackers was not announced by Austrian officials, the timing is worrisome, coming after at least two terrorist attacks in France. Indeed, the French had said that more attacks could be forthcoming. But even they would not have expected the next one to be in Austria, which has largely stayed out of the culture war being cited in the French attacks.
