06 Jul 2020  |   04:49am IST

So there is need to fear, is it?

With advisories from the Union government and the Ministry of Home Affairs not flowing in as regularly as they were in the recent past on how to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, State governments have been left on their own to devise new laws and methods to protect themselves.

The worry has intensified as Goa has already opened its gates to tourists. Yes, it does make Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wonder why Goans are not living in fear despite seven deaths and the spike in number of Covid-19 positive cases.

But, the same chief minister was until a few weeks ago telling people that there was no need to fear, that everything was under control. His ministers too echoed these words, so what are the people to believe now? That there is need to fear? If people began to return to a almost near-normal lifestyle it was precisely because the government allowed them to think that it was safe to do so. But the situation has definitely changed now, and yes, if people take precautions it will be because they fear the virus. Remember the days in the month of March when there was an almost eerie feeling in the State when everybody stayed home? It was because there was a fear. It may not be possible to return to a lockdown, but if the fear returns people will take precautions.

Look at the statistics that the government is releasing on a daily basis. For a small State like Goa with a population of merely 1.5 million it could be make or break very easily. Over 1600 people have been infected and of which half of them have recovered. Goa on Saturday recorded its highest single-day spike so far with 108 new cases and on Sunday it registered 77 new positive cases. The government is now taking serious note of this. Plans have been made to engage ministers in the cabinet to individually visit and personally monitor specified areas. This includes Chief Minister Sawant himself, which indicates a sense of urgency in the government in tackling the situation that was not seen earlier.

Preparations are on to set up a second COVID-19 dedicated hospital in the State as the number of cases are rapidly rising. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, after discussing with the Chief Minister has also announced to recruit new teams on contractual basis on top priority and designate them at Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, who will report to the respective health officers. This is a clear signal and message that the health sector is under tremendous stress and that it requires more helping hands.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister on Sunday announced that Mangor Hill which was one of the hotspots for COVID-19 cases in the State has been sanitised and cleaned and dry rations have been given free. A meeting will also be held on Monday to decide the future course for the containment zone at Mangor Hill. Another worry for the State government now is the weather. The government is wary of the fact that infections may increase during the rains. To counter this fear and anticipating a growth in the number of cases, the adminsitration is arranging 500 beds at Farmagudi with good facility for persons who may contract the virus.

These are all indications of an administration that is foreseeing a massive rise in cases. As the Chief Minister reiterated, the spread of COVID-19 can only be stemmed if people avoid going to functions and moving around in public without reason. On the entry of tourists, Sawant made it clear that a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) will be followed. “Tourists are not moving around like Goans. They are self isolating themselves in hotel room,” is what he said.

The message now is clear. Mask and self distancing will be a part of our lives now and will remain as normal precautions for as long as we do not get a vaccine against this deadly corona virus. One has to completely overhaul one’s lifestyle and adopt the new norms which are considered as the safest mode to guard oneself against COVD-19, worldwide and Goa is no exception.  The situation has changed and it is not for the better.