WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
Sunshine after the rain
A dark cloud has covered the world, blanketing us in the darkness of fear, the streets are empty, possessed by the eerie sound of deafening silence, the mighty power of nature has taken over its role and started to flush out the pollution pumped into it by man.
We have been caged and the animals have found their freedom, the atmosphere is on a detox mission, cleaning out the pollution from the air and healing itself.
I feel as if Mother Nature has blown the whistle to listen to it and has the world standstill. The message is very clear, we have learned the hard way, the amount of damage man has done to nature has had no limit, now it’s time for the creation to take charge to heal itself.
We thought the world cannot function without business, we felt crippled if our flight got cancelled, we thought we would get fired if we did not turn up for work, looks like we’ve been proved wrong by the fact that we have no power over nature to control it, nature will not stop for man, the Sun will rise after every sunset. We have started to hunt for food instead of running after money, once again nature pointing at it to tell us that it is the owner of those resources and not the money.
The pace at which mankind was going has now been controlled by nature, it has even given us the opportunity to rest and take a hold on ourselves.
Although we know nothing is permanent in this world this difficult time will pass by but it has thought us that, we have to slow down, we cannot win the race. When this is all over we will see a new world which has shed the skin of pollution and stepped into a pristine environment blowing away the dark cloud and bringing us the sunshine after the rain.
Savio D'Costa, Chandor
Hail the ‘Florences’
of Nightingale
Humanity is blessed to have nurses and midwives. They are crucial cogwheels in the health dispensation cycle. Global healthcare would be that much poorer without these two. Coincidentally, 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. This year "State of the World's Nursing report" will be launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has focused on the nurses and midwives in its theme on the World Health Day slated on
April 7.
Nurses are described as a force for change, and a voice to lead. They command exceptional respect from their colleagues, subordinates as well as doctors. They rely on patience, love and forgiveness to cajole and comfort patients. Dedication of a nurse and midwife along with their selflessness, compassion, understanding and motivation, supplant all other virtues.
The COVID-19 pandemic management has revealed that nurse is at the heart of the scheme of things in patient care. In a monumental infectious hazard, only a nurse can control things with the wave of her hand. She is akin to a mother who directs things by her eye signs. An able nursing work is as important, if not better, than a masterful surgery. The words of a nurse are more than a coloured tonic for an ailing individual.
The mere presence of nursing staff can instil confidence in a patient. Sleeplessness, tiredness and, sometimes, harassment they have seen it all. Attack on nurses, and the humiliation meted out to them by some unscrupulous elements, during the COVID-19 identification and quarantine, says a lot about the conditions in which they work. But they have learnt to bear and live with all.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Coronavirus thrives
in cold weather
On any hot summer day rains would have brought a welcome sigh of relief as it would bring the temperature down, though marginally. But these times are different. There have been intermittent showers witnessed in various places across the State with overcast conditions bringing down the temperature. This does not seem to be a good sign as far as the spread of the Coronavirus is concerned.
It is a known fact the COVID-19 virus not only survives but only thrives in cold weather. Countries like Italy, Spain, UK and the US among other countries, which have to face the maximum brunt of the disease, have a cold climate. The spread of outbreaks of the new disease around the world seems to suggest it has a preference for cool and dry conditions, although it is worth noting that the virus has appeared in countries with a wide range of climates, including hot humid ones.
Be that as it may, the hot Indian summer will hopefully keep the virus at bay. It must be said that India has done very well in containing the spread of the virus as compared to other countries. This could in some way be attributed to the hot and humid conditions prevailing in the country.
Hopefully the disease will wane away before the onset of the monsoon.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Indians have to fight the virus unitedly
Millions and millions of Indians across the nation switched off lights at their homes and lit candles, diyas or turned on mobile phone torches and lanterns on Sunday night, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to spread light, to share the spirit of solidarity and wholeheartedly unite together to fight the unprecedented darkness caused by a dreaded pandemic.
The call no doubt was responded in an overwhelming way and it was a delight to see everyone, including leaders from the opposition and people belonging to the various religions, castes, creed and various walks of life joining the millions. The good gesture emphasised a sense of optimism and truly gave a message that none of the citizens are alone in the battle against the deadly virus.
The overwhelming and enthusiastic response was a slap on the face of some opposition leaders who earlier slammed the Prime Minister for exhorting people to light candles and lamps, calling it whimsical and superstitious. But what they have forgotten is that, by not showing solidarity for a humane cause, they are sure to get sidelined by the citizens.
Kudos to the PM who right from the outbreak of Coronavirus has been giving inspiring tips to the citizens to cope with the situations emerging from the lockdown. The PM has been motivating the citizens to mentally and spiritually stay united in the battle against the virus.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Mass hysteria
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, the deadly disease has spread like wildfire throughout the world. Not only that, but it has created a mass hysteria of fear in the people, which is far more dangerous than the virus itself.
With countries shutting their doors to foreigners in the wake of stopping Coronavirus, Health Emergency needs to be imposed in our country regarding the catastrophic outbreak of this fatal disease.
Prevention is better than cure. India should minimise travelling to and from virus affected countries. Facilities to diagnose this virus should also be established in big cities to nip the evil in the bud. People of India must also exercise vigilance and control in their movement and doing all acts that may cause attraction of virus.
Wearing masks is one of the preventive measures against Coronavirus. Avoiding cold drinks and ice creams is necessary while getting more sunlight, fresh air and keeping good personal hygiene are some of the measures that can keep Corona-virus away.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
