Opening up of churches
The second and a more widespread wave of Covid-19 is surging across the USA. Europe is similarly having a big surge since the start of fall and the start of cold season. It may be noted that Covid -19 got released in China in December 2019 , during winter, probably at a time it could be at it’s worst pandemic. Therefore it is alarming that universal opening up of Chapels and Churches is proposed now, with immediate effect, maybe looking at the current fall in infections in Goa.
Priests, doctors and health care workers are our precious resources who cannot be easily replaced. It takes 5-8 years to qualify as a priest or doctor. Surely a SOP will be defined including wearing masks. But can anyone hazard a guess if individuals own a minimum of 2-3 masks and whether they wash them with soap and water and dry them in the sun as soon as they become damp after use, and definitely every single day.
It is not known if this decision by the Bishop is arrived at so as to have a quorum to educate the faithful in the proper Covid prevention protocol of wearing masks , in public places, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding mouth, nose, eye contact with hands even accidentally, definitely before sanitizing of the hands and importantly sanitizing the masks. This is important since the only Covid education given in this country was a demonstration of respect to health care workers by clanging of utensils or showering of petals.
Hope the premature announcement of opening up the Churches in Goa for all who desire to attend services including the susceptible does not become a catalyst for a pandemic which was getting under control.
Joaquim de Sousa, Fatorda
Use correct data
Today we feel we know all there is to know about Covid-19. And so, we take decisions based on this false sense of knowledge. The Church says: people are returning to their daily chores, visiting market places, travelling in public transport etc. hence the Church cannot remain an online community! They must open up to all including the elderly!
Even the fighting Covid doctors say the pandemic is slowing! One needs to be cautious.
We are entering winter: the season of sore throats, colds etc. In the West, also entering winter season, the people are resorting to flu shots, something not done here. First; the load on hospitals will increase and secondly some people will believe they have the common cold and: ‘come in late to the Hospital. What we learnt in the last 6 months cannot be fully extrapolated in the next few months.
We also now know that the risk of ‘successful’ transfer of the virus increases with shouting, singing and longer duration of socialising, masks or no masks. As also with improper ventilation.
We know the virus affects people differently: some have a slight sniffle, others a cough that disappears in 5 to 10 days: both never realising they contracted the virus. Yet others need hospitalisation, and some lose their lives. So, we are now going to make a collective decision for all? One fits all theory: something the WHO DG warned against. Are we giving due consideration to the rights of the elderly? Are we at least: changing the ventilation, ensuring they wear N95 masks and are correctly taught about the proper use of the same, providing special masses only for the elderly with even more distancing and use of chairs that are not touched in the last 72 hours and no singing?
Other than the Covid treating doctors, no one knows the spine chilling suffering of those who gasp to death. Decision makers must be shown these sad moments.
R Fernandes, Margao
Women must remain alert
During recent years, cases of anti-social elements snatching gold ornaments and mangalsutra of women have increased tremendously. It is a general practice for robbers to proceed on a two-wheeler and the person sitting at the back snatches the ornaments or mangalsutra. The rider soon over-speeds and flee away from the spot within no time. In most of such cases, the robbers remain untraceable and the concerned women lose their valuables. Recently two such cases were reported.
At Khorlim in Mapusa, a lady was asked for some address during her walk. Subsequently a gold chain was snatched away from her neck. In another incident in Assagao, the mangalsutra was snatched from a woman’s neck while she was walking by the roadside. It is rather unfortunate that such cases occur during broad daylight. Such a tendency amply depicts that law and order situation in the state has been declining like anything. Under such circumstances, it is the need of the hour for women to remain alert while walking along the road at any instance.
If possible, they should note down the registration number of the concerned vehicle so that it becomes easier for the police to expedite the investigation in nabbing the culprits. By the way, it is a common practice with girls and women to hold cell phone in their hand while walking along the road. Such a practice should be stopped at once. If any robber snatches the cell phone sooner or later, then there is every possibility of women losing the same. I hope women would take a note of above facts and pledge to remain alert so as to protect their valuables.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
Allow vendors from other states
The Vasco market used to be flooded with marigold as several vendors used to sell the flowers during the festive season. However this year these vendors were conspicuous by their absence.
It is understood that local flower sellers at Vasco on Monday turned back around 13 flower-laden trucks belonging to vendors from Maharashtra who had come to the port town to sell marigold flowers for the Dussehra. The local vendors claimed that they would not let “outsiders” do business in the port town. This is absolutely unacceptable. The civic authorities should have stepped in and not allowed this to happen. They should have control over the local market. Every Indian has the right to do business in any part of the country. The residents complained that the local vendors were selling flowers at exorbitant rates at the Vasco market. Presence of vendors from other states would have provided stiff competition to the local flower sellers and the price would have dipped. It is pertinent to note that during the annual Saptah festival in the port town, hundreds of vendors from various states bring their goods for sale at the fair that come up along the Swatantra path. This fair is possible only because of vendors from other states. The civic authorities in the various cities should see to it that vendors from other states are allowed to do business in their respective cities.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Concerted steps to make roads motorable
The government must take concerted steps to make our roads motorable and safe. With the monsoons now having receded, there needs to be an action plan in place to repair the roads across Goa which are with potholes galore.
The authorities need to focus on proper road engineering. There also needs to be a crackdown on unlicensed drivers and zero-tolerance to over speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Vehicles emitting toxic fumes must be penalised which includes many Government owned Kadamba buses.
The 386-year-old Ribandar-Panaji causeway which was once referred to as the longest bridge in Asia is now literally hanging on borrowed time in a very dilapidated condition in some areas. Before any disaster occurs, the government must act swiftly to carry necessary remedial measures of this causeway which driving along one gets an awesome panoramic and so scenic view.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
