New rule makes
no sense
This new rule of no pillion on bikes and a passenger in the rear seat does not make sense for a State like Goa. As for bikes, we are dependant totally on then in the absence of efficient public transport. Lot of elderly people have to walk as everything related to shopping is scattered look forward to be picked by a bike or dropped.
As for cars, if its divided in half and has two separate sealed sections, I would agree that seating a person at the back is safe. So, before ridiculous impractical rules are applied, some thought of how the common man, seniors get affected must be thought about.
Edward Fonseca, Porvorim
The hidden danger
The health ministry at the centre said that 80% of COVID-19 cases were either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. These are very disturbing stats. Of these about 15 % turn into severe cases and 5% turn into critical cases. This only emphasis the need to follow lockdown rules and maintain social distancing. Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are silent carriers. Though it is not possible to test everyone, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that there was adequate provision under the current testing strategy to test suspected asymptomatic people with travel history or contact and those with mild flu-like symptoms and acute respiratory illness. The government said that the possibility of a large number of undetected asymptomatic persons who do not need medical attention is slim.
Goa has so far tested only 800 persons in a population of 15 lakhs which seems grossly inadequate to declare the state COVID-19 free. It is pertinent to note that it was found that as many as 30,000 people had respiratory problems during the house-to-house survey conducted from April 13 to 15. The government needs to utilise the provisions under the current testing strategy to test suspected asymptomatic cases with travel history or contact among the 30,000 people having respiratory problems.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Revitalise tourism
industry
Almost all sectors and various industries around the globe have come to a grinding halt due to the deadly pandemic COVID-19. Among the worst hit is the tourism and travel industry which has sadly become 'lifeless' with complete transportation and communication completely stopped.
The vacation months of April and May are the ones when it is the peak time for travelling in many parts of the globe and especially in our country domestic tourism reached its peak as whole families along with their children travel and enjoy visiting tourism spots. It is already calculated that the Indian tourism industry will be losing thousands of crores. As the stake holders are so many in this industry - providing jobs to lakhs of people directly and indirectly - the loss is terrible, incalculable and inexplicable.
Further, it is really turning serious as more and more unfortunate casualties are happening daily around the world because of the disease. Unless and until the whole world is free from this pandemic tourism industry along with others is not going to revive in the near future. The nation's around the world will have to consider this sector too and come out with urgent actions to revitalise the industry and our government too will have to work with others and take measures at the right time to energise, boost and make the sector lively again.
M Pradyu, Kannur
Hooliganism mars
COVID-19 fight
India’s efforts for taking timely action in controlling the spread of the deadly COVID-19 have been greatly acclaimed by the United Nations. Yet what we deeply detest is the hooliganism let loose by the ruthless elements involved in many heinous crimes against the coronavirus warriors, who have only been loyally discharging their duties. One of the worst affected categories is the healthcare workers confronting the worst mob attacks based on rumours.
We have seen how in different places the doctors and nurses have been subjected to the worst treatment even to the extent of being chased and stoned. Some doctors have been prevented from entering their own residences and some others have been asked by the owners to vacate their premises. Is this the treatment you mete out to the people who have been risking their lives fighting for the cause? The Indian Medical Association has served an ultimatum to the government for ensuring safety of the medical profession failing which they have said that April 23 would be observed as the Black Day.
It has become a norm in our country to commit the worst crimes with absolutely no fear of the law. The most outrageous incident at Palghar in Maharashtra wherein the brutal crowd butchered two sadhus and their driver after waylaying their vehicle is perhaps the most appalling sight ever witnessed. In view of the lockdown the sadhus had preferred to bypass the highway and were travelling on the interior road in the tribal area. Allegedly, some rumour spread that they were thieves or child-lifters and that was sufficient for the tribals to hammer them mercilessly with blunt weapons to death.
Even if the rumours were true the sadhus should have been handed over to the police but none can take the law in his hands. In at least two video clips it is clearly seen how the policemen on duty pretending to shield the sadhus only hand them over to the hooligans to do the rest. Over 100 people have been arrested including some juveniles and two policemen have been suspended. Without politicising or communalising, thorough investigation preferably by the central agency should unfurl whether it was a premeditated conspiracy. Most rigorous punishment under the law should be handed to the convicts making it an eye opener for the rest.
Michael Vaz, Merces