Covid has killed more people than bombs
At a conference in 1981 in Rome, Indira Gandhi said that the cost of an inter- continental balastic missile was equivalent to setting up over three lakh primary schools. Covid-19 has killed so many people. None of them were killed by bombs and missiles and bullets. Any person with commonsense would agree that it is far more important to realize that the essence of real security is in safeguarding people and their capabilities, and not just safeguarding borders.
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It is time now after the Covid-19 pandemic gets over the world leaders should get toward jointly prepare a peace plan, also involving terrorists which should address the following points 1. Importance of peace than piece of land 2. Health care for all human beings 3 the need for countries to closer for oneness and togetherness 4. The efforts needed to bridge the gap between weak and rich countries 5. Efforts to bring jointly the world out of crisis.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Time to lockdown village boundaries
Spike in COVID cases is increasing day by day. Now it’s time to lockdown villages boundaries and even state boundaries to avoid menace of COVID henceforth. Otherwise, COVID situations will worst to worst. All the boundaries should be put on hold except transportation of essential commodities and goods.
If we notice panicking situations in the Maharashtra and other states, Goa must take precautionary measures in advance in order to eradicate corona virus in the state. Come on government, Goa is a small state, and every efforts are achievable provided the government uses it’s talents. There must be good and intellectual advisors, doctors, scientists, experts etc in the state, kindly refer to their suggestions, ideas, opinions, measures to be taken.
At this moment, lock downing all inter villages boundaries and state boundaries without any delay is very important in order to stop spreading COVID. Containment zones have to be strictly prohibited except allowing essential items by selective persons. First of all, safe villages have to be locked down immediately to avoid community transmission. All government offices need to be closed down to keep offices safe. Limited market places to opened under sanitization procedure. Right now, minimum roaming of public is mandatory. Stay home, Stay safe has become important slogan. But only 35 per cent hardly believe in it. Finally, means of income is very much vital. Even than, public must try to survive now with minimum costs to avert future panic emergency.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Killing us softly
We need to salute and admire team Herald (July 16), for their exposure of importing truckloads and truckloads of fish across the borders from other states, without proper check on fish laced with formalin. The photographer and investigative journalist is facing a grave threat from the fish mafia and organized crime for reprisals. It takes great courage to expose the authorities who overlook and do only cursory random checks, when people’s health is at great risk.
Kudos to the upright and honest lady officer Iva Fernandes from Colva who was suspended for exposing the fish mafia involved in lacing the fish with formalin. She was eventually reinstated after a huge public outcry. It is rare for a lady officer to come forward in a male dominated chauvinistic society to challenge them and bring out facts. Instead of appreciating her honesty, she is being victimized by shunting her from pillar to post. Even denying her leave allowance and causing her financial losses. Except during the few months in the monsoon season where fishing is restricted, it is astonishing that, despite Goa having such a long coastline, which provides abundant catch of fresh fish.
The fish is not sold in the Goan market but is being exported outside the state, for the middlemen to make money, and we are forced to eat poisoned fish laced with formalin. Fish Curry and Rice is Goa’s staple food. How are we supposed to boost our immunity in this pandemic? We could be classified as living mummies ingesting formalin fish.
During the Portuguese era the health officer (Delegado de Saude) was so independent and powerful that any stale fish would be destroyed by pouring kerosene to prevent it from being re-sold. Poultry chicken is fed on hormones, even bananas are being artificially ripened with Calcium Carbide. Are we heading to become a Banana Republic? To be a ‘Niz Goemkar’ we need to eat Goan fish curry rice.We need to make a fund to protect the honest individuals from being victimized and the media should take the initiative and the public will support. We need to hook the crook and stop this fishy business. “Amkam Bivpachi Garaz Asa”.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Stokes’ ‘Bodyline’ tactic
The 2nd Test between England and the West Indies was an engrossing match particularly to see Ben Stokes’ performance with the bat and the ball. He brings to the game for England an intensity which one has not seen after Ian Botham quite some years ago.
However, one must say without taking away anything from the way Stokes plays his cricket that in his bowling in this Test that one saw shades of Jardine’s ‘bodyline’ tactic in the way Stokes was concentrating on bowling with a leg stump line and making the ball rise into the body of the West Indies batsmen. Stokes example of ‘bodyline’ was followed by both Broad and Woakes.
That batsmen are nowadays protected almost completely compared to Jardine’s time and saves them from serious injury but even then in the yardstick of the gentleman’s game attacking the body of the batsmen is not an acceptable tactic. England as a team is strong enough particularly playing against the West Indies and does not need these negative tactics to win. Therefore it is time enough that they review their strategies before the 3rd Test commences.
Stokes story in cricket has been almost magical from being out in the wilderness after the nightclub brawl and getting close to being banned from playing to the limelight after the unbelievable knock in the World Cup final to beat the Kiwis and then the performance in this 2nd Test against the West Indies. The England captain, Joe Root has commented about Stokes’ performance as ‘we are in the presence of greatness’.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Docs should be responsive
Several doctors operating private clinics in Goa may have shown reluctance in keeping their clinics open nowadays due to the pandemic. Operating the clinic could prove risky for the medical practitioner, other staff at the clinic and the patients who visit the clinic. The doctor may be taking all the necessary precautions like wearing a PPE, mask, carrying out thermal scanning and sanitizing the premises regularly, but still the medical practitioner can end up being infected with the virus and hence spread it to other patients.
However citizens could be in need of doctor’s advice on ailments other than COVID-19. Here is where the concept of Telehealth, which is being followed in several countries during the pandemic, can come in handy. Telehealth is the use of phone, video and the internet for the doctor to provide advice on healthcare to the patients. By this method citizens can be in touch with the family doctor at any time.
After going through the symptoms of the patient, the doctor can advise on whether blood-tests, X-Rays, Ultrasonography, CT scan, etc. need to be done. The reports of such tests can be made known to the doctor who can then decide on the line of treatment. Poor people who do not have access to internet could be relying on government hospitals and phone calls to the medical practitioner. Doctors need to be responsive.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
