FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
The malls reopened yesterday and it was like the secret cave from Ali baba being made available to the general public. Everyone rushed to the mall in Panjim in great excitement. Social distancing was not in action. Everyone seemed desperate to enjoy some time walking about in the mall or going over to their favourite outlet to indulge in some shopping therapy. All the talk of the impending third wave seemed to matter little to the people.
The reaction to this kind of behavior was one of exasperation. Dr Shekhar Salkar who is part of the fight against the virus laughed in exasperation and said what it could say was. He said “ If you open it, there is a problem, if you don’t , then even there is a problem. People don’t seem to understand the seriousness of this virus. All I can do is pray to god to not give us the third wave. I think the third wave will start in the next eight to ten days. It is important we should vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. The way we are behaving as we have not eaten for days. Look at the way they are going to the mall. I don’t blame them. They have been going to these places for so long and now you are trying to restrict them. It is difficult. They have to understand that they have to follow the norms like maintaining a gap. Follow all the regulations, how many people you think are following all this. The answer lies in vaccinating everyone. I will however have to say I am very happy with the response of the youngsters and if it continues, we will be able to vaccinate everyone by July 15 and September finish the second vaccination too.” He ended by saying that personal responsibility was the only way forward for everyone.
Sandip Bhandare former President of GCCI felt this was something which would have to be fine tuned. He said “There is pressure on business to start. The fixed costs like municipal tax, electricity bills have to be paid irrespective whether it is open or not. One cannot also blame employees but then the question remains, when can we open? We have the problem of the impending third wave. At the same time, to be closed is a burden on the employee. It is a delicate balance. We cannot rush but we have to educate the public. Life however has to restart otherwise everyone will be in a hole. People have to service loans and other financial obligations. I believe discipline is maintained and yes we need to increase the pace of vaccinations.”
Girish Bharne, another senior executive from the IT industry said in such situations people have to show responsibility. He said “Establishments have to take care, the government has to do its bit but the people have to show responsibility too. Industries have to be careful but then I will also ask what is the need to go running to the mall on the very first day it reopens?. If I had gone over and witnessed the crowds, I would have driven off. People have to show personal responsibility.”
Atrey Sawant, former President of CII Goa chapter felt that the government was opening all this slowly was the best decision taken but it was also the responsibility of the people to follow all the protocols. He said “Please remember a third wave is expected and we have to do everything we can to ensure we are not hit hard.”
The world of business may have its compulsions but the average Goan had their viewpoint too. Gracy Dessai, a housewife in Margao said “It looks like people have not seen the market before. It looks crazy. They are thinking the third wave will not be serious and they are not taking the virus very seriously. That’s how we ended up with so many deaths in Goa. For me the people should try to control their movements in the markets , super markets and malls wherever they are allowed. They should consider wearing double masks and maintain social distance. I feel the third wave will be serious. People have to follow the sops. There is no escape from that”.
Another Goan housewife Slyvia Sequira felt it was important to show control because the third wave was going to come very soon. She felt people ought to wear masks when they visited the fish market and not forget social distance while they were at the malls. She said “Use the double mask, I advise people of Goa to be careful , stay at home. The markets open at 7 and close at 3. It is unfortunate that it is very crowded at supermarkets. In fact I believe the owners should not allow people to enter in groups.”
One can only hope the indiscipline displayed by those visiting the mall yesterday was a one off and people showed greater personal responsibility.
