Covid Chronicles from Chennai: A lecture by Dr. Alby John on July 23, 2021
Alby John, a doctor-turned-IAS officer who was at the forefront of Chennai’s fight against COVID-19, used his lecture at the Asian College of Journalism to narrate the challenges faced by the administration while fighting one of the worst pandemics in global history.
Dr John explained why the city fared better than other Indian metros and how it dealt differently with the two waves of the pandemic.
He explained how the city got its denizens to adhere to COVID-19 norms and described the strategies adopted by the Greater Chennai Corporation to help those who needed everything from hospital beds to oxygen cylinders.
He also detailed the measures the GCC took for early detection of COVID-19 outbreaks and timely treatment of those who tested positive.
Dr John reassured the class the state government was prepared for a possible third wave.