Corona cases on the rise, Is #RelockGoa possible? By Deepali Desai

Until yesterday, Corona cases were still far from where I stay but today it has come closer. I am sure that’s the case with most of you reading this. The outbreak in cases at Mangor hill area should have raised an alarm and of course, we must appreciate administration immediately getting into the testing mode but now, let’s face a fact: Corona cases are spreading in Goa’s rural area and now in semi-Urban areas too. Wake up call, in case some are still in denial about the existing reality.

THEY SAY ‘DON’T PANIC’

While I put my faith in the governance and the administration doing its job in combating this pandemic, I am worried about many health workers getting affected by the virus. After some parts of Vasco, it spread into neighbouring Casaulim, slowly entering in Sattari taluka, later Ponda and even Canacona. Latest cases are from Chimbel, Dharbandora, Mayem. Of course, we won’t panic if you tell us not to but then how do we deal with this spread?

HEALTH WORKERS AT RISK

Although there is no official figure on how many health workers in Goa have got affected so far, however, in the cases related to Usgao and Sanguem it has been confirmed that those affected were related to Mangor hill transmission. So have we left our health workers vulnerable in the crisis?

STATE UNLOCKED: HOW CAN WE ENSURE PERSONAL SAFETY

Now here’s why I am concerned. Across India, we have seen work-from-home culture being developed but unfortunately in Goa, private and government offices were reopened way before. In my earlier articles too, I have questioned [https://dev.goanewshub.com/goas-highest-covid-figures-ever-what-to-do/] the approach while unlocking our lives. As soon as many offices reopened, people were forced to step out of their houses. So was social distancing being maintained in offices? Did the restructure take place to ensure distance between the employees. Was the compulsory masks rule implemented within the premises too? I am still asking these questions and those reading this will have better answers.

ECONOMY IS IMPORTANT AND HEALTH? 

All of us were affected by the lockdown. Many lost jobs and many businesses were shut. The entire tourism season has been washed away this year with states bearing major revenue loss. This is the reality but another reality is, the virus has been spreading at a rapid rate. While all of us are at work, taking public transport and borders being opened where is the combat strategy?

TEST, TEST, TEST

According to a news article, Goa has a higher percentage of people getting affected by the virus as compared to the national average. I think it’s now the time for the government and administration to go for full-fledged rapid testing. Goa is India’s smallest state. North-Eastern states slightly bigger than Goa have lesser cases. It’s a concern and the Government must come clean. Citizens will obey what’s been told but the truth must be told. The faster the combat strategy will be in place, the safer we will feel. Right now, that sense is missing overall.