High positivity rate: Cause for worry
Goa has witnessed a massive spike in the number of Covid-19 positive cases with figures crossing the 1000 mark for the second day in succession. The number of deaths due to the coronavirus reported in the past few days is also huge.
However what is most disturbing is the positivity rate reported in the state. The positivity rate in Goa has reportedly touched an all-time high of 37 per cent. This is much higher than the national level and probably the highest among all the states in the country. The positivity rate happens to be the actual percentage of positive cases of all the coronavirus tests performed. The per cent positive is a critical measure because it gives an indication of how widespread infection is in the area where the testing is occurring and whether levels of testing are keeping up with levels of disease transmission. A high per cent positive indicates that it is a good time to add restrictions to slow the spread of disease. A higher per cent positive also suggests higher transmission and that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven’t been tested yet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in May 2020 that the per cent positive remain below 5% for at least two weeks before governments consider reopening. Goa’s positivity rate is much higher than this figure which makes one wonder how long it will take before things in the state come back to normal.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Who is responsible for the tragedies
17,26,17 these are deaths that could have been avoided in the last 3 days. These are tragedies that have come about due to specific decisions taken or not taken. More so considering the vaccination drive is on.
Since February, there has been not only an exponential rise in cases in 9 States of India but a similar % rise in deaths. This trend was a forewarning for all that a crisis was waiting. In Goa, the Goa Inc. spoke with their names on why nothing needs to be done if not opening Goa up further with no restrictions. We now know these people and must learn our lesson that in future they must be kept aside no matter the cause they support because they are not capable of logical reasoning.
The vaccination drive has just started but they just could not wait! ‘We must have the few dollars more’, they pushed. Well, they got it and must now take responsibility for these tragedies.
That the government is fully responsible for this tragic status goes without saying. Disheartening is the meek leadership in other parties. They only made noises: what prevented them from going to Court? Even now, the namesake curfew etc. is adding insult to the sacrificed.
How can they be considered an alternative? Did they question the availability of vaccines, oxygen, plan to execute the Vax drive: nothing.
Deaths mean nothing to anyone of the above. If noise is the only thing they can do then at least harp on the fact that there must not be any more deaths! This must be our objective and decisions must be taken with this in mind. We cleverly delink the same from decisions taken. Of course, in the end they will blame the local public: just wait for it.
R Fernandes, Margao
Of vaccine inequity and social revolt
Days after the government decentralised Covid vaccine procurement, the only major Indian manufacturer announced three different prices for it’s sole product.
The Centre shall be offered the shots for Rs 150 per dose, the States for Rs 400 while private entities need to shell out Rs 600, apparently Bangladesh and Nepal can access the same for only Rs 300 a jab. This defies all conventional logic and begs the question, has the Centre arrogated to itself the ‘first among equals’ title?
The State’s coffers are near empty, even their GST share was rescinded last year by the Centre citing the pandemic, instead they were asked to seek lines of credit from the RBI; they also don’t have access to the PM Cares Fund, in this situation how can anyone expect them to purchase the required quantities of vaccine.
Pitting States against each other would simply reinforce inequity with States having greater financial muscle cornering the bulk of the supplies, the relatively poorer ones would be left high and dry, defeating the avowed purpose of universal vaccination to achieve herd immunity. The country is on the cusp of a pandemic triggered social turmoil, there are already reports of hoarding, racketeering, diversion and even outright pilferage of life saving medicines and medical oxygen, the same scenario.
To any sane person this kind of price gouging by private players would be anathema, but the firms are only looking to make money hand over fist out of human misery. With almost 3, 16,000 positive cases yesterday it is more than high time that the government rein in errant Shylocks lest things go completely out of hand and turmoil morphs into revolt.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Meterless taxi’s in Goa is unfair
The meterless cabs in Goa exists for many years which has become headache for tourists people. Many governments tried to implement the same in the State but in vain.
In 2019, the High Court came down heavily on the State government and issued a notice to the transport director over the delay in implementing digital meters. It is no surprise that the government is deliberately delaying the implementation with lame excuses. Cabs in Goa have been functioning without meters or fixed fares. The State government has failed to facilitate the installation of digital meters in taxis. It had to be implement of Automated Tracking Device with integrated emergency system and fare meter in passenger taxis. It says that state government has amended Section 140 of the Goa Motor Vehicles Rules-1991, wherein every motor cab is to be fitted with a digital fare meter along with a printer, Global Positioning System (GPS) and a panic button.
The State attracts more than lakhs domestic tourists every year, who often face hardship due to overpriced and irregular public transports system. Goa’s taxis and auto-rickshaws do not have fare meters. Goa is the only state in country where there is no fare meter for taxis and auto-rickshaw. Recently Madras HC division bench had recommended state and central government to fix speed governors in two-wheelers too at the production stage itself to curb road accidents. The reluctance of states to implement the amended law emanates from compulsions of vote bank politics.
K.G.Vilop, Chorao
Lockdown only as last resort
The PM’s address to the nation, in the wake of the second wave of Covid pandemic, was timely and comes as a booster instilling confidence in the citizens to stay united in the war against the virus that has once again raised its ugly hood spitting the fatal sickness and making the life of the whole of humanity completely devastated .
Modi is right in saying that lockdown is the last resort and focus should be on micro-containment. Last year’s unexpected lockdown had ruined the nation’s economy and had caused inexplicable misery to lakhs of migrant labourers countrywide.
The PM has appealed to the States to safeguard the health of the labourers. He has also urged State governments to assure workers to remain where they are and get vaccinated. This will definitely control mass movement and help reduce the rapid spread of the infection. This can also help the labourers to continue with their work and earn a living without any hindrance.
M Pradyu, Kannur
