Heed Archbishop’s advise
This is with reference to the news item in today’s Herald titled, ‘Archbishop urges people to pray and follow Covid Appropriate behaviour’ (Herald, 29 April).
His message couldn’t have come at a better time like a soothing balm to us when everyone is scared, suffering and struggling to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from this virus. In his message the Archbishop has particularly appreciated the real heroes who are the doctors, nurses and other frontline workers who toil day and night sometimes even without sufficient rest or even a chance to spend time with their family. After the lockdown last year we saw how carelessly some people were behaving just like animals let out of the zoo and our roads getting jammed with tourist vehicles!
Archbishop has advised to impose upon ourselves severe measures to halt the spread of the infection and strictly adopt an appropriate social behaviour to protect ourselves , our families and others from danger. The CBCI has asked to observe May7 as a day of fasting and prayer across the country while our Archdiocese will also observe May 13 as a day of fasting and prayer to implore God to end this crisis.
Let us all heed our Archbishop’s advise and in this coming Marian Month of May revive the good old family tradition of the Family Rosary which is truly a weapon against this evil that’s unleashed upon humanity.
Allwyn N.D’Souza, Saligao
Lockdown or tamasha?
The Chief Minister’s sudden U-turn announcing a lockdown, just 24 hours after assuring that there would be no lockdown in the state, has led to confusion amongst citizens. Furthermore, an advisory sent out late evening states that shops/establishments, hotels, markets would remain open with strict compliance of SOPs.
It makes no sense to have a lockdown, when almost all business establishments including markets are allowed to operate. Also one fails to understand the logic of having a 3 day lockdown (if one may call it), expecting to break the chain of transmission of this most dreaded and vicious virus.
All said and done, the CM seems to be caught in a whirlpool of contradictions and confusion, leaving the citizens bemused by the tamasha that has unfolded in the past couple of days.
Aloysius D’Souza, Mapusa
Practice what you preach
So another lockdown has been announced by the CM of Goa,… ho, hum, yawn. Most businesses have been allowed to function this time around and there would be token restrictions on office goers and industrial workers; stores, construction sites, restaurants, hotels and other commercial establishments have been left out of the ambit of this clampdown. It is interesting to note that even before the benefits (or otherwise) of this lockdown could accrue, the CM has announced that there is no likelihood of extending it, I suspect this whole charade of taking tough measures was played out due to public pressure rather than any real concern for the lives of people.
Hours before announcing the clampdown, the CM was seen inaugurating a bridge at Sankhali with close to 300 persons in attendance (with no social distancing or masks) for which no prior permission had been sought by GSIDC, the commissioning agency. As per orders of the North Goa Collector no more than 50 persons can gather at a location for any event in the state. A showcause notice was issued to GSIDC by the collector threatening (laughable) to initiate legal proceedings for wilfully disobeying Section 144 and flouting Covid protocols, not surprisingly there is no mention of the CM in the missive.This begs the question, of what use are lockdowns and exhortations to exhibit Covid appropriate behaviour if the powers that be unapologetically disregard it themselves.
This is not the situation in Goa only, but the entire country, a case in point being the ongoing Kumbh mela and the forthcoming Chardhaam yatra in Uttarakhand.
I do not see a hope in hell for my country if the rulers place themselves above the laws and edicts which they formulate for us lesser mortals.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Lockdown, too little, too late
The long overdue but very too short a lockdown declared by the Goa Government may be too little, too late. In the current extremely grim scenario, a mere four-day lockdown and that too not a total one may not yield the much required desired results.
This lockdown which would infact be a long weekend one may be an exercise in futility. Even our neighbouring Maharashtra which is currently on a fortnight lockdown has already announced another 15 day extension from May 1.
In Goa given the severity of the crisis in the rapid widespread of this vicious virus, our State should have gone in for a longer total lockdown with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies.
Though our Health Minister on the advice of experts had recommended a month long one, we could have begun with at least a 15 day total lockdown well policed and strictly adhered to in all respects in a genuine, determined and concerted attempt to ensure that the current devastating situation is brought under some kind of control.
Any sensible and caring Government should lead by example. We have sadly witnessed that even in the enforcement of Section 144 which is currently in force there have been blatant and gross violations by Ministers and the Chief Minister himself sending a wrong signal and setting a bad example. If this is the conduct of those in Power, no discipline and compliance of law can be expected from the public.
In battling the virus, we need to follow the proven experience of other countries that have successfully and relentlessly fought and contained the virus by capably using a total lockdown as a circuit breaker to stop this virus from escalating as it is spread through human transmission.
As the government is duty bound to save and protect the lives of the people, it must not resort to any experiments in handling this raging pandemic but should strictly adhere to the guidance and advice given by the medical and scientific experts.
On being told by the Prime Minister we had last year blindly indulged in banging of metal and lighting of lamps only to be taken for a ride by this virus.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Collecting swabs in open environment
Long queues are seen at hospitals and other centres engaged in carrying out Covid-19 tests. People who come to do either the RT-PCR or the Antigen test, including children, are seen standing in long queues right from early morning. Most of them have come to do the test because they have shown some symptoms of Covid-19 and hence could be carriers of the virus. Pandemic related protocols need to be strictly adhered to at these places. In spite of all these precautions, these places could well become potent places for the spread of the virus among those who do not have the viral infection. It is possible that the nasal and throat swabs are taken in a closed room with very little ventilation. When the patient opens the mouth for the throat swab there is every possibility that the virus is released into the air which can infect others in the room.
A private hospital in Vasco has come up with a novel way to address this issue. The nasal and throat swabs are taken in an open environment in the garden of the hospital. With nasal and throat swabs being taken in open spaces within the hospital premises, there is very little possibility of the virus infecting another person waiting in the queue. Other hospitals and Covid-19 testing centres would do well to collect the nasal and throat swabs in open air locations.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
