With the sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in China, there has been a widespread fear across the world that there would another wave of infections in the coming months. Reports are emerging from China that there has been a major shortfall in necessary infrastructural facilities, including shortages reported from hospitals and pharmacies. Crematoria are strained beyond capacity, and cold storages are running out of space to meet the influx of rising dead bodies.The emerging situation in China has expectedly raised alarm in India. The Union government has already issued preventive guidelines, including appeals to mask up and instructing airports to carry out random sampling of those who are traveling from abroad. State governments have been told to remain vigilant and carry out an audit of existing medical infrastructure.However, politics has taken over what should have been a discourse over an impending health crisis. Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said COVID-appropriate behaviour must be followed during Bharat Jodo Yatra or else the yatra will be denied permission. He said several MPs had brought to his notice that COVID preventive norms were not being followed during the yatra. The Union minister’s letter drew severe criticism from Congress. The Congress party, in its response, has questioned why hasn’t the government written similar letters to BJP leaders who are carrying out rallies across Rajasthan and Karnataka.