PANJIM: Respiratory diseases doctors in Goa are not much worried about firecrackers that would be used during the ensuing Diwali festival. But what bothers them is an increased interaction between people that could trigger a surge in the number of cases alike the situation Goa witnessed post-Ganesh Chaturthi.
Pulmonologist Dr Sandeep Naik of Dr Naik’s Chest & Allergy Clinic maintained that firecrackers are also burst during other occasions also besides Diwali. He opined that COVID-19 situation will aggravate if people fail to follow the safety norms.
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“I don’t think firecrackers will add to COVID-19. Moreover, firecrackers are used during other occasions also and not only Diwali. Firecrackers will cause other respiratory illness but not increased (COVID-19) transmission. And in any case, a COVID-19 patient has to remain indoors (until fully recovered),” he stated.
The doctor’s views were backed by another pulmonologist Dr Haradatt Karande, who added that the celebration in Goa is way different than the festival’s mood in Northern States.
“In Goa, fireworks in not on a large-scale, unlike in North India where Diwali is one of the biggest festivals and huge amount of firecrackers are burst. Therefore, there are fewer chances that pollution will contribute to increase in COVID-19 cases,” Dr Karande explained while quickly adding “The worry, however, is on Diwali-eve when people will come together to witness Narkasur effigies. It could flare up the cases if people fail to adhere to the COVID-19 safety norms.”
Dr Naik also warned that “person-to-person meeting” even of 5-10 minutes without precautions could increase the risk of increase in COVID-19 cases.
Noted doctor Dr Shekhar Salkar however has a different opinion. According to him, pollution due to bursting of fire crackers will add more problems for COVID-19 patients. “Fire crackers will not cause COVID-19 but it will add to the problem. If people voluntarily decide that they should skip fireworks this year, that’s all. Finally, how many rules and regulations can the government impose? Is there is no responsibility of a common man? Bursting of fire crackers will be like murdering all those suffering due to COVID-19,” he stated.
The festival in Goa and many other States, like the other festivities this year, will be celebrated under the shadow of the pandemic. The Goa Department of Environment & Climate Change, in a notification last week has issued restrictions in the bursting of fire crackers. As per the order, on November 14, 2020 Fire Crackers are allowed to be burst in the morning from 4.30 am to 5.30 am and in the evening from 7 pm to 8 pm strictly whereas for the days during the Diwali Festival period, that is, November 15 and 16, 2020, the firecrackers bursting time is strictly restricted between 8 pm to 10 pm only.
