Get well soon Dr Edwin Gomes
It is really sad to hear that our COVID-19 warrior Dr Edwin Gomes of the Goa Medical College medicine department, who led a team of doctors at the Margao based ESI hospital for treatment of COVID-19, has been found positive with the same virus. He has given a clear message that doctors should love their patients in their difficult time as he has looked at them as COVID-19 angels. Gomes has hugged almost more than 100 patients at the time of their discharge in the last three months during which he worked tirelessly with coronavirus patients. He is a real hero who has saved the lives of many. Goans are proud of him. People of Goa had already shown their love by giving him a warm welcome when he returned home. Get well soon Dr Edwin; we are all praying for your speedy recovery.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Ronnie D’Souza,
Chandor
Increase individual protection
The papers are full of the increasing cases of the coronavirus in Goa, which has also felled our primary COVID-19 warrior, Dr Edwin Gomes, who was contracted the infection. A company, knowledgeable in medicine, which leads us to expect that they would be more competent to take precautionary measures, has had more than 50 cases with infection from amongst its employees. It also has had a number of their facilities closed down.
This scenario is alarming. The CM is trying to explain the increasing deaths from the virus to comorbidities while touting the recovery rate. He had in the last fortnight commented that community transmission of the virus is on in Goa from which he back-tracked in a few days. Now it is Health Minister Vishwajit Rane who has said that community transmission of the virus is happening in Goa.
With such flip-flop comments it is apparent that the top people in government are clueless on the spread of the virus or are deliberately misleading the people. This is letting the people be exposed to greater risk and leaving them directionless as to how to deal with the virus. Left to their own assumptions, it is quite apparent that the number of infections will continue to rise. There is no need to emphasise that the number of new infections need to be controlled otherwise it will lead to pressure on the health administration system. With lockdowns being ruled out, this can only be done by increasing the protection of individuals.
The mask has not proved useful and with people not rigorous in wearing it. Therefore why is the government not mandating that all citizens when they come out in public should wear face shields, stripped down and adapted PPEs, gloves and also overshoes, the last item being optional? The cost of stripped down and adapted PPEs can be brought down to Rs 100. They can also be made from weather-friendly material. Thus it is not a financial burden for the individual to buy two or three sets. Where people can get away by not wearing masks and escape getting caught, it will not be easy for them to do that by not wearing the PPEs and other protective gear since it is more visible. This enhanced protection will definitely reduce the incidence of more infections and be good for the people.
Srinivas Kamat,
St Cruz
Was stopping media conference right?
Where are we heading? In the right direction or elsewhere? A few days ago a media conference in Melauli, Sattari was stopped by the local police citing different reasons that prohibit such activities. Elsewhere so many meetings were held but the police never stopped them. Why this special treatment to the Melauli meet?
This action gives an indication that hard days are about to descend on us, not only in Goa but all over India. By using the excuse of Section 144 of CrPC, looters are on loot spree all over Goa. My question to my MLA, who is the most talkative among all, is: can he tell whether what happened at Melauli was right? Don’t we have the freedom to express our views when we feel an injustice has been done to us?
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Solve, don’t justify
Director of Health Services has analysed the COVID deaths summarising that they occur in patients having comorbidity and those of higher age groups. But, were we not aware of this even before the first COVID death here? Knowing this, what action was taken to solve this? Were there separate rooms/areas for such patients where either extra care, available ventilators/oxygen, more experienced nurses/doctors can attend? Are there more SOPs laid down for their care? A cancer patient from a Panjim hospital was sent to the COVID hospital in Margao and died. Were cancer hospitals instructed that all their patients must be tested for COVID, whether symptomatic or not and even if negative, be provided separate rooms/beds like a COVID hospital? It is a known fact that chemo patients have a very low count of WBC and hence extremely prone to infection.
Goa Human Rights Commission must look into this matter, it is a violation of human rights. The Goa government has instructed all teaching/non-teaching staff to report daily to schools. Did the good doctor advise the CM to exempt people with comorbidities since they can lose their lives if infected with the virus? What about such people working in the police? GHRC’s opinion is required here. Problem solving comes with first owning responsibility not shirking it by justification.
R Fernandes, Margao
Youthful talent begs to be tapped
Being creative is an art, and creativity can flourish at different times and in various vocations. Youth should be at it—nothing can infuse a feel good factor better than the “I am my own boss” realisation. To convert dreams into reality, honing one’s aptitude is essential. ‘Youth’ itself is a talent, but a perishable one. That is why youthful talent begs to be tapped. The power of youth is insurmountable; from making to building there are no boundaries. In addition to the obvious livelihood advantage, plugging the glaring unemployment rate is the power of self-empowerment.
Despite possessing abundant skills, a lot of young brains find themselves unemployed for reasons not too difficult to fathom. Learning and earning supplement each other well. One’s content can be copied, not his/her creativity. One’s skills can be ignored; disregarding his/her skills isn’t easy.
Technical support and vocational training have their own place; they cannot be substituted. However, it is important for the youth to learn and earn at their behest. A United Nations (UN) study has revealed that one in five youth are ‘Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET)’. Amidst the COVID 19 pandemic, one in six youth are out of employment. Young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than the old. More than 400 million new jobs have to be created to absorb nearly 70 million unemployed and another 40 million new entrants into the job market.
Professionals, self employed or hired contribute in varying measures to the equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Gone are the days when the future was built for the youth.
The present world order expects youth to build a future. Rulers of a country can only direct the youth to the road leading to glory; the latter themselves should navigate the stumbling blocks and reach their destination: success.
Ganapathi Bhat,
Akola
