Rahul Gandhi releases White Paper on COVID, says aim is to help nation prepare for possible third wave

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday warned about the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as he released a white paper to help the government prepare for the third Covid wave.

Addressing the media during a live session on his Twitter handle, the Congress leader said, “The whole country knows that a third wave will strike. It’s clear that the management of the first and second wave of COVID was disastrous, and we’ve tried to point out the reasons behind.”

Rahul Gandhi also said “I would even go so far as to say that there might be waves even after the third wave of COVID19 as the virus is mutating.”

While criticising the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing in handling the Covid situation, Rahul Gandhi said: "90 per cent of people who died (in the second wave) could have been saved. Biggest reason (they died) was lack of oxygen. PM's tears can't wipe families' tears... his tears can't save them, oxygen can. But he didn't take it seriously as his focus was on Bengal (elections).”

On releasing the white paper, the Congress leader said: "We have prepared a white paper not to point fingers but show shortcomings and hope that, in the future, this will be addressed.”

“The entire country is aware a third wave is coming... and the government must be prepared for this... that is our purpose," he stressed.

The second Covid wave wreaked havoc in India, with lakhs infected and thousands dying every day. At its peak over four lakh new cases and more than four thousands deaths were reported per day.