The cases are increasing by the day. Yes, Covid is back. Will this mean a return to the old days of restrictions? Importantly in such a scenario will the people be prepared to go back to the old days of restrictions? Are people geared up for it? One has to remember the conditions on the ground are different now. The vaccines for the virus are available and a large number of the population has taken them. Importantly the booster shot is available for the section of society for who it is valid for. The fear of the virus is no longer hanging heavy in the air. The reactions from the people were very interesting to put it mildly.
Eleanore Silveira, a student from Old Goa said she was prepared to go back to the restrictions because of the rising cases. She said “I would say I’d be 50-50 percent on that score. However if restrictions were imposed right now they would not be able to experience the life of attending classes in schools or colleges. Suppose we have restrictions right now, the students will go back to learning from the mobile. We will not get enough of a learning experience which will harm our future prospects in terms of jobs. When there are no restrictions, students can go to school and people can go to work. With restrictions people will have to work from home and students will not be able to learn properly at home. Students need experience through visualization, face to face interaction. That’s why I am stuck right down the middle so to speak.”
Anjali Patel, another student from Old Goa felt it was important to go in for full restrictions because she felt it would help the cases to decrease and help doctors take full control over the situation. She said “When the cases decrease, the Government will have to reduce the restrictions imposed. I don’t mind restrictions, because through restrictions cases will decrease and eventually those restrictions imposed by the Government would also have to decrease”.
Deepika Vishwakarma, also a student, however did not want the government to impose restrictions. She said “After two years people have finally got their life back, they can go back to work, go back to school, they can do regular things which make us feel like humans again. With restrictions, it removes people from their livelihood and it is so isolating.”
Melroy Fernandes, a resident of Calangute, was of the opinion that people were not prepared to go back to the days of tight restrictions. He said “ I however feel that they should at least be strict with regards to wearing a mask. Most people fall sick as it’s like a mild flu. They treat it as flu and no restrictions are followed. Due to which the infection is spreading far and wide”.
Devendra from Panjim was of the opinion that people would not go back to days of full restrictions. He said “After taking the vaccine. I don’t think it’s required. But yes we are ready for lighter restrictions like, wearing masks should be compulsory, crowd control for public functions, weddings, shutting of swimming pools, crowd control at malls and cinema halls”.
Emma Abreu from Saligao was also of the opinion that people were not prepared to go back to restrictions that were imposed during the pandemic. She said “I feel that to some extent now people have learnt to take precautions. I travel frequently and I noticed that people have already gotten used to their normal life, before the pandemic. The airports are crowded with people, depicting people going back to their routine, in spite of the airports being crowded, it is very disciplined, and precautions are taken”.
Sunita D’Souza from Porvorim said she did not mind going back to using masks or hand sanitizers but not to the days of total lockdown. She said “During the shutdown, students had to stay at home, people work from home, there was no socialising, and that was challenging especially for young kids. So, I think precautions should be taken, like maintaining social distance, sanitizing hands but I wouldn’t be ready for a total lockdown”.
Nupura Hautamaki felt there was a case of restriction fatigue that was being felt by the people. She said “The increase in the number of cases should not cause panic because the vaccines are in place and the booster shot too. All this is helping in keeping everyone calm. Restrictions no but people should use common sense and wear a mask in a crowded place.”
The man who advised the State government on the steps that needed to be taken during the virus, Dr Shekhar Salkar said “Just don’t remind us of those horrible days. I hope we don’t have to revert to those norms. I don’t think we will have to revert to those norms. Numbers may be increasing because people are not taking care. This virus is not a mutation so it is not causing any harm. Those who fall sick again are at home in isolation. No one has checked into any hospital. So there is no stress on the medical facilities”. He said it would make a lot of sense for people who fell ill due to the virus to be prudent and stay home in isolation. He urged everyone to follow the basic criteria like wearing a mask and maintaining a distance. And yes he felt it was important for all children and eligible elders to be vaccinated immediately. All this he said would ensure Goa would not have to go back to the restrictions of a year ago.
Common sense will help keep Goa safe.
