Kathmandu, Sept. 15 -- After nearlytwo years of disruptions,Nepalis are itching to get back to normal lives. But there are signs society is returning to an old normal.

As soon as the daily caseload and infection rate started falling, thelockdown was liftedeven while more than 10% of those tested are still Covid-positive, there are still nearly 500 people in ICU and ventilators in hospitals, and the Delta variant is infecting even those vaccinated.

And now schools are set to open next week. While we understand that there has been a tremendous social cost to students not attending in-person schools for nearly two years, why was there a need to reopenjust for a few weeksbefore the holidays?

Some teachers, not all, have only just got their...