Glimmer of hope seen in India, but virus crisis not over yet

For the first time in months, Izhaar Hussain Shaikh is feeling somewhat optimistic. The 30-year-old ambulance driver in India’s metropolis of Mumbai has been working tirelessly ever since the city became the epicenter of another catastrophic COVID-19 surge slashing through the country. Last month, he drove about 70 patients to the hospital, his cellphone constantly vibrating with calls. But two weeks into May, he’s only carried 10 patients. Cases are falling and so are the phone calls. “We used to be so busy before, we didn’t even have time to eat,” he said.