Health of citizens, our first priority
It should be a matter of grave concern that despite almost a fortnight of lockdown, we are having an average of about 1200 COVID cases daily while around 35 persons are now also dying every day. These figures are high for a very small State like Goa.
Yes, we need to be concerned about the economy but in the current extremely precarious conditions nothing can predominate the health of the citizens which right now has to be the only priority.
The experts had advised a total lockdown. The failure to ensure this is possibly being reflected in the huge number of daily cases and deaths we are sadly witnessing. Except for grocery stores and pharmacies all other activity should have come to a total standstill to ensure that the lockdown has the desired effects.
But, if there is no political will to adhere and strictly comply with the advice given by experts and scientists, we cannot be blaming the hospitals and the doctors for the precious lives that are being lost every day.
In battling this virus there has to be a sincere commitment by the Government at all levels and all citizens have to truthfully play their role in complying with what is directed by the authorities so that we are all safe and secure geared to win this deadly battle.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
When the CM kept the PM waiting
The political potboiler is at it again. On Friday, Mamata Banerjee CM of West Bengal and Chief Secretary of West Bengal kept the PM waiting for 20 minutes. And the news becomes a national issue within no time.
BJP President, The Home Minister of the Country, The Governor of West Bengal (who is loaded with verbal ammunition at all times) and senior ministers were all ready to share their valuable opinions about the same and conclude that it was a ‘black day in Indian politics’. Not content with just that, the Centre even recalled the Chief Secretary back to the centre.
Next will be the turn of the Indian Media. Should we be surprised? The answer is no. It is pretty evident that this is how the country functions. While our people are facing immense hardships owing to the Pandemic, no one is interested in speaking about the failure of the government to control the 2nd wave of the virus, no one wants to speak about the shortage of vaccines, oxygen, ventilators, beds in hospitals, no one speaks about the falling economy, no one will speak about the farmers who are sitting on the Delhi border waiting to speak to the PM, no one has a plan of bringing the economy back on track.
But the CM snubbing the PM will be magnified. Time for us to sit back and ask ourselves “Do we deserve this?”
Altaf Shah, Vasco
Good ‘waive and bad waive’ tales
The government of India plans to waive the costs of vaccines and other medicines related to the Coronavirus. This is a good move definitely as it will bring down the cost of medicines. A patent waive is also sought from major drug producers.
The pharmaceutical industry has claimed that due to waiving the cost of drugs the suppliers of raw materials to them will increase prices to counter any waive. Any waive would in effect be counter-productive according to them. It could also be that these pharma companies are seeking to maximise profits.
Socrates said that if a man has a bad wife, he will be a philosopher. If I am a philosopher, it is because I have a bad Wi-Fi.
Vinay Rodrigues, Margao
Ration to Covid infected and elderly people
The Goa government one can say has utterly neglected people of Goa in these hard times of Covid pandemic. We hope at least the individual MLAs and MPs will use some human kindness and reach out to the needy rather than going door to door only during elections with goodies. Now is the time people need you and are counting on you so please use your power to help them.
Recently Goa’s civil supplies minister made a statement that all those affected with Covid and are in home quarantine will get their ration from fair price shops delivered. How this will be done and who will do it remains unanswered.
I think the civil supplies minister must ask the panchayat members from each ward elected to serve the people to coordinate with Fair price shops and local primary health centres along with volunteers and carry out the deliveries. Panchayats should have a directory of all the elderly and all the people with their addresses and phone numbers. Since they collect house tax money they are expected to have the records.
The ration should also be delivered to the elderly vulnerable peoples’ homes isolating at home due to being more prone to the virus. Also in these situation finger biometrics should be immediately exempted at fair price shops so that all can get the rations during this hard time and relatives can collect for their dear and near ones.
We hope our CM and Civil supplies minister and panchayats will do something to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable Covid patients and elderly.
Jo Dias, Chandor
Vaccinate seafarers, save their jobs
Last year during the first wave of the pandemic Goan seafarers were made to suffer and harassed as far as their homecoming and quarantine issues were concerned. And now this year during the second wave of the pandemic Goan seafarers are again made to suffer to join back their ships.
Many countries have prohibited Indians from entering their land because of the increase in Covid cases in India; even flights are stopped. Some countries are allowing Indian seafarers to join the ships but only after taking both doses of the vaccine. And because of this the Director General of Shipping issued a circular to all the States to get their respective seafarers vaccinated in the harbour itself, like BPT in Mumbai and MPT in Goa and so on.
And that is why Kerala government declared their seafarers as front line warriors along with other front line warriors so as to get them vaccinated on priority basis. And this is what the Aam Aadmi Party’s Seafarers Cell in-charge Captain Venzy Viegas who is a seafarer himself is trying to explain to our Goa Government. If our seafarers are not vaccinated on time our brothers will lose their jobs to seafarers from other countries like China, etc.
Some seafarers are receiving calls from their companies asking them if they are ready to join the ships by taking both doses. And thus their joining is delayed. And what will happen to other seafarers who are yet to take their first dose? So it is most urgent to start vaccinating Goan seafarers on priority basis to prevent them from losing their jobs to seafarers of other countries.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Priority for every Goan, not only few
It’s been noticed that likes of MLAs Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Churchill Alemao suggesting to prioritise seafarers to get vaccinate and allow them to resume work. I don’t get this logic behind. What about people working in Goa or on the land outside India, doesn’t they also deserve vaccine so they also can start jobs to earn? Every Goan should be prioritised as everyone is stuck at home with no income. Captain Vency applied petition to prioritise vaccine for seafarers only and it’s well supported by few MLA.
It’s act of selfishness and hence Government and High court should order that each and every Goan should get equal rights and vaccine in order to get back for work. It’s been difficult phase for every working person who has been the only source of income. Stand for Goa and for Goans. Don’t divide anyone. Everyone is important and hence vaccine should be immediately given for all Goans.
Peter Pires, Canacona
