@Blondey111: You have raised a few pertinent points yourself. The question is not so much about whether I or anyone has been surprised by the opportunism or profiteering; the question is should we just shut up and let things happen? Here, may I put forth few facts... Though I cannot go into the details of all of them here, as it may be a little out of place! Fight for the Resources: Specifically discussing about this pandemic: How is it that a handful of countries never ran short of resources? When most of the developed and developing nations went scrambling! Paucity of resources is not the same as mismanagement of available resources. I know, and hence I believe that profiteering, opportunism cannot happen without the approval of the state powers. The same state powers that we elect and pay for. Hence I am not surprised, I am unable to digest it silently.
you were given a voice to use .. what is to be gained by remaining silent ??? Is is dangerous to speak out ?? Ultimately there is always ownership and control of a resource which includes management , sharing, who is granted access and priority of access . Consider what happened in your country when faced with oxygen shortages ..a critical therapeutic intervention vital for covid management . Likely , those in power determined the fate of many . if the media is to be believed there were definitely suppliers who profited from urgent demand and desperation . I am sure rural communities and those living in poverty were very much disadvantaged in their access to not just oxygen but any health resources . Do those communities have a voice ??? Or are they silenced ???
Who controls the supply of therapeutic oxygen in India ?
Did India mismanage oxygen resources , or was it simply a complete failure to meet population needs ?
Thanks, for being so specific! 1) Yes, medical O2 was short, initially. 2) There were alternatives, like taking help from the producers of industrial O2, which was not done, initially. 3) There was panic related hoarding, resulting in shortage of cylinders. 4} Opportunists used this situation to the max, with O2 selling at a premium! Result: Deaths, deaths, deaths due to O2 shortage, and denial of the same by the powers!
Now, for the one's who can, we are purchasing cylinders! Is that fathomable? And just about anyone are selling cylinders these days, also available online!
Why am I saying all this? Because this one basic thing should be the responsibility of the state powers. We shouldn't be paying a premium, TO BREATHE!
So, yeah, we goofed up, on all fronts, and we are not ready to accept. I have a serious problem with this "denial mode"! This has motives.