Covid Tsunami ahoy!
It seems the powers that be in Goa have a collective deathwish, while doctors are warning us to brace for a second wave (tsunami would be more appropriate) of Covid our ministers are in a tearing hurry to grant permissions for EDM festivals and resumption of casino operations.Covid cases are thankfully reducing in Goa but with people expected to congregate (and most of them from out of state) in large numbers at such events, it is a no brainer as to where we are heading. Holding an EDM festival with ‘social distancing’ as claimed by the government is laughable.
The authorities cannot enforce distancing measures even in small fish markets, how do you expect them to enforce it in a gathering of 12, 000+ people (and I am not talking of the attendant drug problems such festivals bring). It is ironical that a country with the second highest Covid infections is holding a music jamboree when major gigs like Tomorrowland, Ultramusic and Electric Daisy Carnival have postponed their dates to 2021 because of a spike in cases across Europe.Infact UK, Germany, France and others have extended their lockdowns due to the surge in numbers after a brief lull and here we are opening up ourselves to more misery and death.
We Goans are not against music festivals but please wait till an effective vaccine is found, the sky is not going to fall….else expect a million requiems.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Maintaining standards
Stanford University researchers reported after a detailed study, that the current US of A President’s 18 rallies led to around 700 deaths and 30000 incremental Covid-19 positive cases. One wonders if we are justified in terming the researchers as doomsday soothsayers? Any deaths due to negligence is criminal. Today, near deaths, meaning an almost death, have to mandatorily be reported to the Factory Inspector. In India, the almost equally reputed IIT, did a research and found that the Covid -19 was imported into India from 2 countries!
Again, one is left to wonder if the IIT researchers were striving to avoid being labelled doomsday predictors! What is the significance and utility of this survey?
IIT Faculty are very learned people and the only conclusion we can come to is that freedom in India still stands curtailed.Now this is what you will call heading for doomsday.
R Fernandes, Margao
Priorities for the people of Goa
On the day that none other than the knowledgeable Professor of Preventive Medicine at Goa Medical college has warned one and all against complacency during the current phase of the pandemic, and cautioned that a second wave could overcome Goa as happened in September, and is seen in some nations in Europe, the government has announced that the Sunburn electromusic festival, allegedly notorious for its overcrowding and some undesirable activities, alleged abuse of alcohol and other substances, even ending in death for some participants, has been announced as approved to take place on the 27th, 28th, and 29th, of December 2020.
In the past the Sunburn festival has been in the limelight and high lights for many of the wrong reasons.
Europe has apparently seen a doubling of the infection rate , and UK has just announced one more month’s lockdown from this week , in the hope of breaking the cycle of virus transmission. Throughout the world, nations have canceled all such music and dance events. Therefore, at a time when the state is is battling this outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, does it indicate to the public, what the governments priorities are : the good and safety of the people or the pockets and the bank balances of those involved in organizing such events?
Is that the government is not willing to heed the warnings and advice of science and scientists, and is willing to sacrifice science and safety of the majority on the altar of profit and bank balance of the few minority. Is it that the left hand of the government is unaware or couldn’t care less of what the right hand is doing?
Rosario Menezes, Vasco
Can there be a tie in US polls?
This is a possibility that has never happened in the US presidential polls. However if theoretically it can happen due to the permutations and combinations of the individual 50 state electoral college votes, then in such a keenly contested poll a rare and unique result could happen. There are totally 538 electoral college votes and a tie will happen if each receives 269 electoral college votes. The permutations and combinations which can make this possible has not yet been explored probably.
Donald Trump and Mike Pence of the Republican party and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris of the Democratic party are the contenders for today’s election to the White House and at no time in the history of United States has such a tie occurred. Doing a mathematical calculation taking into account each of the 50 states of the US individual votes and calculating the permutations and combinations will determine if such and eventuality is possible.If such a combination is possible, there may be no reason why in such a tightly contested election, such a thing could not happen. Remember we are in 2020 and will it be a super over that will determine the outcome. Soon you will come to know.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Strictly implement ban on plastic bag
The Goa government banned plastic in the state, but have failed to crackdown on illegal supplies and usages. The plastic bags are available in the city despite ban. The grocer, vegetable vendors, shops malls offer to its customers plastic bags although the material is banned in the year 2019.
The authorities have just turned blind eye to the use of plastic. Plastic waste is everywhere and polluting land, water and air. It’s not just environmental hazard. It’s a health hazard. Its toxicity is the bane of all forms of life. Plastic cleanup has to be made priority. The ease of access to plastic alternatives needs to be addressed and need to be made available in markets and neighborhood shops to scale up the transition and it will also provide employment. The competent authority should impose heavy fine on the purchase, usage and improper disposal of plastics.
K. G.Vilop, Chodan
Goa part of fight!
People across the globe are increasingly getting organized/vocal to fight specific ruling/corrupt politicians who are hand in glove with select destructive lobbies- to accelerate the destruction of our planet, it’s environment, ecology wildlife etc.
Goans should be very proud and thankful that they have a select group of dedicated individuals who are part of/leading this global fight in state for e.g. planned Mollem destruction and with it destroying trees/wildlife, SWR Double Tracking for coal transportation & pollution of our scenic villages, projects like IIT planned to set up in pristine forests areas instead of other available barren lands etc. I am certainly very proud and thankful to them.
May we inspire others to fight the battle in their respective areas, May we get inspired from others in different parts of the world for fight for our Goa/planet, May the like-minded start getting united across the Globe/India and Save our planet. May God help as all!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
