Respect human rights & values
It is very appalling and so distressing the manner in which we seem to look down upon and despise COVID-19 suspects even if they test negative and also after their full recovery after having been positive. We need to respect the human rights and values of all as this unknown virus can strike anyone, anytime and anywhere. Let us at all times humbly lead the life of a common man.
As the Sufi mystic Kabir said “Jako rakhe Sai, maar sake na koi” (None can harm him who is looked after by higher Powers). The dedicated prayers and the abundant love showered by the common men on us is what keeps us going. Life is a very short voyage, a journey, the end of which we know not. So let’s live life in humbleness and brotherhood.
In the words of Robert Kennedy “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance”.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Deal with Mangor Hill methodically
The government need not panic as Mangor Hill has reported 47 positive cases of Covid-19. Tighten things up such as social distancing, use of face masks and sanitizers. Maintain high degree of cleanliness in the environment, in and around Mangor Hill. Send a few most capable health workers as health vigilantes in order to fast track the detection of cases and their immediate isolation and quarantine. Emphasis on detection of cases early so as to treat them to become recovered patients sooner than later. Instil methodology amongst the populace in Mangor Hill and do not leave any thing to chance.
Do not get over awed by the situation but get down to diligent and efficient detection of cases before they spread. It is possible that not a single Covid-19 case will turn into fatality if prompt measures are taken in good time.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Complete lockdown of Port town
The outbreak of Covid-19 positive cases inclining to 79 at a single place of Mangor Hill in Port town is mounting pressure on Govt. Mangor Hill, a densely populated area consisting of over 5000 people in a small contained area is said to be cooperating but the testing of 200 nos. per day is very slow.
If Goa government can do testing upto 2000 per day or more, then the testing in this area has to be given more priority with increase in testing and pace as the cases are rapidly increasing. Slow testing would worsen the situation. The family member who was initially identified it is said to be not cooperating if true, then it may be seriously look into to avoid further risk and negligence if any.
Taking cognizance of the event, Vasco traffic cell and Asst RTO office etc. are closed is the right step of preventive measure taken by them. There are apprehensions of the contact person(s) has moved in the City then the slow testing or contacts taken place with the positive persons may further intensify. People are anguished for the sacrifices made by them for almost two and half months and feel should not go vain. There is no need to panic but it is absolutely necessary to take the Mangor Hill event very seriously by the authorities.
As a preventive measure not to risk the lives of people till complete testing, contact tracing is carried out and normalcy is restored, complete lockdown (sealing) of entire port town for a few days is essential to avoid situation like Mumbai's Dharavi.
Karim Mulla, Vasco
Environment Day
June 5, has been assigned by the International community as a World Environment Day to concertized the world citizen, especially those in power and land owning class to protect, preserve and promote the natural resources, land, water and air so as to main balance in order the human organism may have sufficient conditions to survive in this planet. That need was felt as the unscrupulous were all out to cause degradation not living condition with sole motive to have economic gain. In the international arena we noticed movements which forced the legislators to make laws to curb the destruction of nature, emission of poisonous substances into water-air-land having harmful effect not only upon organic but also on inorganic substances which are having direct and indirect effect on human life.
Despite of laudable declaration by international organization like Stockholm Declaration 1972 which insisted to have International Co-operation to care for the ecosystem of the entire earth, duty to assess the environmental impact of given projects and works, set the goal to reverse the trend of global warming. It also drew agenda with an action plan on biodiversity-forests.
The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro 1992 declared human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development Vienna Convention for protection of the ozone layer and its implementation through the Montreal Protocol and amendments became a resolution. Basel Convention on hazardous wastes, with its system of reporting, standards and controls so also binding convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, protection of biodiversity etc. It is pity to note that international plans to protect earth cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries which place their national interest above the global common good leading to continuous endangering global human life. The politics instead of being service for human life became slave of economy. Such situation gave rise to number of movements to implement international and national laws. Goa did not lag behind in this moment to protect and preserve environment.
One cannot celebrate this great day without remembering the great son of this soil Fr Bismark Dias who became first martyr in the struggle. The same struggle spirit still continues; most recently at Taleigao-Calangute we saw injustice being done to nature by law makers and protectors of law (police) by unjustly and inhumanly handling the activist even putting them behind the bars and attempting to crush the dynamic spirit of the protectors of our soil. Let us hope the political bosses may not give only speeches but be real defenders of the law of the land.
Micael A. Fernandes,
Vasco-da-Gama
Open umbrellas can help social distancing
Right from the moment Covid-19 started to spread to almost all parts of the world, social distancing became one of the most popular recommendations, apart from hand washing and wearing of face mask.
A study published in the Lancet reveals that maintaining physical distance of at least one metre can reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 by 82%. Every additional one-metre distance to the original one metre, more than doubled the protection. Such is the importance of social distancing which is usually neglected. Kerala is one of the few states which has effectively checked the spread of the infection.
It is understood that the Kerala government distributed free umbrellas to the citizens, even before the rains started, in order to maintain social distancing. It is pertinent to note that two open umbrella can help maintain a distance of more than one metre between two individuals depending on the size of the umbrellas. More importantly open umbrellas can help maintain physical distancing all around a person carrying it.
The monsoon has set in Goa. People in the state will be moving with open umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain. This in turn will help maintain social distancing. It would be advisable for the citizens to open their umbrellas even if it is not raining and when they are moving in the market with the sole aim of maintaining physical distancing.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco