THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
Points to ponder on Omicron variant
The latest variant Omicron that has originated in Botswana and was first detected in South Africa has in a space of two days spread from 14 countries to 24 countries at the fast rate of 70% in two days. The number of cases reported so far are not very high as of now, but is estimated to triple in South Africa by the end of this week and has infected toddlers to the extent of 10% in the same country. The infections so far has been by and large mild and not very alarming.
Being still early days, the fatalities has been not yet reported. Most of the people with weak immunity and comorbidity have succumbed and vaccination rates which have been at its highest levels as of now is affording protection though the vaccines now available and in use are not stereo specific to this variant but has been reported to be both not very effective as well as affording enough protection. Since in many countries in Europe, now it is winter time the likelihood of higher degree of spreading is expected.
However, the most significant fact is that the spread of Omicron variant is dependent on the measures taken to curb its spread like restrictions of travel, contact tracing, social distancing, wearing of masks as well as people being discreet about their movements and taking adequate precautions by maintaining a high degree of immunity, by vaccination, immunity boosters as well as robust natural immunity measures.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Illegal fishing activities
It is learnt that the coastal police seized yet another trawler from Karnataka for fishing within 12 nautical miles inside Goa’s territorial waters near Canacona. This is the third such incident reported in the last couple of months. Nearly 30 tonne fish of different varieties including kingfish and pomfrets and other material were seized in the raid. The seized trawler was handed over to the fisheries department and the fish was auctioned in the presence of Fisheries department officials. According to the officials the defaulting trawler will have to pay a fine of up to five times the auction amount. The coastal police along with the fisheries department patrol team had earlier on Monday night caught five fishing vessels for illegally encroaching Goan territorial waters. Three of the vessels were from Vengurla and two from Malpe. The five vessels lacked the necessary licences. It must be said that the livelihood of Goan fishermen is threatened due to the illegal fishing activities by trawlers from other states. There needs to be zero tolerance towards such illegal activities.
The trawlers need to be impounded and a hefty fine imposed on those carrying out the fishing in Goan territorial waters illegally. The coastal police in tandem with the fisheries department patrol team are doing a laudable job in keeping a close watch on the activities of trawlers from other states under trying circumstances, especially during the night.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Moral turpitude
Recently the allegation by the leader of an opposition party that a heavyweight minister of the ruling dispensation is embroiled in a sex scandal has got the BJP in a fix, especially with the PM's impending visit to the state and the forthcoming assembly elections.
In fact a mantri of the saffron party has all but said that the allegations have some basis in fact and that the CM was also aware of the sordid saga. Interestingly the alleged victim has not come forward to file charges, either due to public stigma or political pressure. Dishonesty and moral turpitude are par for the course for most politicians in the country but such serious charges should not be brushed aside.
The concerned minister should not be prematurely given a clean chit, the matter should be thoroughly investigated and action taken against the errant public servant if found guilty.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Omicron not ominous
Instead of applauding South Africa for transparency in detecting the new variant of COVID-19, it has been treated like a pariah by restricting air travel from the beleaguered nation. As a knee jerk reaction, 40 countries have imposed travel bans based on WHO designating it as a variant of concern Several cases of Omicron have been identified in Europe and the UK with evidence suggesting that the new variant has a higher re-infection risk though not as ominous as perceived by the world.
So far as India is concerned, not a single case of the highly transmissible variant has been detected so far although strict guidelines have been put in place for travellers transiting through the high risk countries. Added advantage is that Indians have developed antibodies and attained herd immunity from the vicious delta variant with 67% of its population being vaccinated. This will drastically reduce the impact of the Omicron virus, if and when it emerges in the country. The new virus has put most international airports in a tizzy with air passengers running helter-skelter to comply with the duplication of RT-PCR tests.
Surprisingly, there has been a conflict of interest between the centre and states with regard to the observance of SOPs set by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Each state interprets its own guidelines and the Maharashtra Govt. has stirred a controversy by unilaterally imposing unfriendly COVID SOPs for international air travellers by demanding a repeat RT-PCR test on arrival. Applying the same yardstick for domestic passengers defeats the guidelines set by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This unruly situation has arisen due to the lack of trust deficit between the centre and the states.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Good decision on international flights
The government has done well to defer the resumption of international flights and beef up surveillance activities in the wake of concerns over the spread of the newly detected Omicron strain of Covid globally. International flights will continue to operate on a smaller scale and only with 31 countries, having air bubble arrangements with India. There have been no full-scale operations since March 23, 2020. Many state governments have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to resume flights from ‘at risk’ countries.
Meanwhile, Omicron has spread its tentacles across 23 countries, with the number expected to grow.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Not legal to rent out Govt quarters
Some Government Quarters in the States allotted by government agencies are given out to rent by the original tenants. It's illegal to rent out government allotted accommodation granted to the government employees. The non-government persons are not permitted to stay in government accommodations. The government authorities should check all government accommodations in States to ensure that flats have not been rented out or given to private persons.
Moreover this drive will also prove helpful in keeping a check on anti-social elements who may seek hideouts in these areas which are otherwise least suspected.
It's a violation of the rules of allotment in case a government employee sublets the accommodation. The illegal occupation of Government accommodation also infringes upon rights of other genuine claimants, who are in need of government accommodation for smooth discharge of their duties.
The government accommodation should not be allotted to public servants who have their own personal residence at the place of duty.
K G Vilop, Chorao
