If Courage Is Contagious, Ignorance Is Pandemic By Ravi Kamat

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As we all know that Novel Coronavirus i.e. COVID19 was first hit in Wuhan China, where all began its journey in the year 2019 ending and hit the world by March 2020. The way this pandemic was spreading its reach over the world and just destroying each and every health care system that world could never imagined or infact not ready for such disaster. Cases were increasing from one to thousands and thousands to lakhs every day. We were not aware what was going on as the number of patients with Covid19 infection were increasing day by day. India had reported first case of this Novel Coronavirus pandemic on 30 January 2020. From there on it all started and continued to increase and spread its reach to whole country till second week of March. We had no clue that this pandemic will affect our normal life by haulting our regular activities and restricting ourselves to move out in the country. As Goa is known as tourism hotspot in the country we were still not serious about the pandemic and all of us were busy with our normal lives. Govt was not ready as it was the time of Zilla Panchayat elections and we all were busy with election campaigns when this pandemic was just in our neighbourhood states. Until March 22nd 2020 when Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced of Janata Curfew and then taking it further as series of lockdowns in whole country with a vision to curb the spread of virus and break the chain. We were fine with one day curfew but not for 21 days as essential commodities were not stocked up by us. Most of the people were stranded in various parts of the country who had left their motherland for some purpose of work. But had no option then to stay until official announcement was out by Gov’t of India.

 

We Goans are known to be sussegad goykar (relaxed Goans) until Goa reported it first Case of Novel Coronavirus Pandemic on 25th march. Most of us were in panic situation , first because of no essential commodities and secondly positive cases in Goa. There were many allegations against the Gov’t blaming them for lack of supply of essential commodities and asking Govt to open up the shops of essential commodities in the state. Many people faced lot of hardships specially the labourers and poor people who use to live on daily wages. Govt and some of the politicians, self help groups and all those like minded people and NGOs came out in support to the needy during this pandemic crises by supplying essential commodities. Meanwhile Govt of Goa announced to open all the shops which offers essential commodities by placing strict laws of Maintaining  social distancing.  Social distancing was not a part of our lives but we have to follow it in future till we defeat this deadliest virus. Using of Mask, Hand Gloves, Sanitizers and social distancing was just a myth for all of us until this pandemic made all of us wear it compulsory and showed their importance in our lives and now it is added in our lifestyle.

After the lockdown was relaxed in Goa as our state was green zone having no positive cases reported till 17th April 2020. Most of the economic activities started up in the state as announced by the Govt of Goa. It was a risky move to open up all at once as we had positive cases of the Covid19 was reported in our neighbourhood states Unless we sealed our borders and only allowed essential commodities to enter into the state with appropriate tests and measures to prevent any further harm.

After the lockdown was relaxed in Goa as our state was green zone having no positive cases reported till 17th April 2020. Most of the economic activities started up in the state as announced by the Govt of Goa. It was a risky move to open up all at once as we had positive cases of the Covid19 was just reported in our neighbouring states Unless we sealed our borders and only allowed essential commodities to enter into the state with appropriate tests and measures to prevent any further harm. Strict measures at the border with more transparency should be made so in order to prevent our state from getting infected.

As we know about the bad news that Goa has got positive cases and the number is just increasing as the people are entering into the state via road or rail. Govt should increase testing capacity and should see to it that all the people who have travelled with the infected patients should also to be institutional quarantined even if found negative as per the protocol. Govt should focus more on getting Goans stranded in some parts of country and outside countries into the state but with the proper protocols and all the testing done and then quarantined at designated institutions. Home quarantine is not a great idea as many people don’t obey the rules of home quarantine and hence chances of transmitting the virus is more.

We all should maintain social distancing , wearing of mask using of sanitizers compulsory to avoid getting infected. Only we are responsible for the spreading the virus though govt is taking steps to curb the virus. As we are the responsible citizens of our state and country it’s our duty to follow the guidelines of Govt as far as Covid 19 is concerned. While we work, shop or travel we should be more following the mantras  I.e. AVOID TOUCHING FACE, AVOID SHAKING HANDS, USE OF MASK AND SANITIZERS. Let’s keep ourself safe as well as others safe. Its always better to prevent then cure. Let’s not be careless, let’s be more careful. I would like to end with quoting Bernadette Smith

“ WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS BY SEEING EVERY CHALLENGE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER SERVE OTHERS. IT STARTS WITH ACCEPTING THAT THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN WHAT’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.”

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