By Aiborlang Nongsiej
The famous phrase ‘Health is Wealth’ is very appropriate in the present global situation. Covid 19 has shocked the entire world and most of the cities in the world today are seen deserted. Italy is reported as the worse affected country in the past few days overtaking China the epicenter of the virus (Wuhan). However, news reports claim that China denies that Covid19 began from Wuhan China. In fact, Geng Shuang, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry opposed the statement of Donald Trump who termed it as ‘Chinese Virus’. Nevertheless, the truth remains that the virus had claimed many lives around the globe. Practically all the countries had shut down international flights till the end of the month in order to prevent the virus from entering their countries. Personally, I appreciate the Indian government for stopping all international flights from entering the country, especially those coming from affected countries. This is one of the major steps taken by the Indian government to save the citizens from Covid19.
Having stated that, there are also many other steps which sound illogical in terms of preventing Covid19 in our country. Personally, I feel that the virus sounds like a human being in which the government knows when it will come and go. There is a video on social media where the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale held a protest against Corona Virus by chanting ‘Go Corona…Go Corona’, while other countries are busy preparing medical equipment to fight against it. This reveals the reality of our country and how intelligent we are in dealing with this new disease. In my opinion, the Janata curfew of March 22 followed by clapping hands in the balcony at 5 pm sounds unreasonable. Definitely, medical staffs deserve to get appreciation from the citizens; however, there are various ways of expressing that gratitude and not by simply coming out of the house to clap hands or ring bells or clang pots and pans. The Janata Curfew on Sunday (7Am – 9Pm) sounded as if the Virus would come only on that day and at those times and not on the other days of the week. Certainly, it is a good day to impose curfew for Christians, to prevent them not to come together for prayers, however, what about the vast majority in India who do not consider Sunday as a holy day? Is this a political agenda or a stepping stone to fight against Covid19? Does the Covid19 become active only on Sunday and not the other days of the week? I strongly believe that the Virus does not recognize on which day to come. On the other hand, I trust the medical experts who said that the Virus dies or disappears after few hours when it does not latch on to a human being. Thus, the preventive measures of our country against Covid19 sound irrational for a common man like me.
The state of Meghalaya is also preparing to fight against Covid19. Fortunately, there is no case of the Virus in the state as yet. However, it is high time to put tight security to prevent people coming into the state. In the last few days the it was reported that all tourist spots in the state would remain closed till the end of the month and may extend to April 15. On the other hand, sad to say that till date there is no report of banning tourists from entering the state. Hence, who can spread the Virus, people or tourist spots? A notification given by the Health Department of the state said that foreigners and domestic tourists coming from affected countries/ states have to compulsorily report to the Deputy Commissioners. Thus, what is the point of informing the DCs when people are already entering and spreading the virus in the state? The Shillong Times reported that over 6000 were screened at the entry point at Byrnihat and there is no Covid19 positive in state as yet (ST March, 20). Sadly, when we look at the picture in the paper a person who screened was standing few meters from the person who is being screened. Therefore, how equipped are our medical facilities to capture the Virus from such a distance? I have also seen various videos showing people are checked in foreign countries. Those that check do not stand at such a distance. Moreover, the people who do the checking have no protective gear against the Virus.
It is high time for the Health Department to be prepared with proper facilities before it is too late. While talking to one of the head medical officers in one of the hospitals, the person said that the state has no medical facilities till date to tackle the virus. It is sad to hear such statements from a medical officer, yet in spite of such a situation, tourists are still plying freely in our state. The state government and the people of Meghalaya should know that the virus is not in the state but it comes from outside. For this reason, people should not panic but restriction of people to enter the state should be immediately imposed by the Government because the Virus spreads through people coming from outside the state. In my opinion, banning of shops and imposing janata curfew will be meaningless when people can still freely enter the state. On the other hand, I appreciate the Shillong Municipal Board who fumigated the city in order to disinfect and possibly even kill the Virus.
The State government took a major step to isolate people by imposing curfew and closing shops on Saturday. In my view, curfew and closing of shops for just a day has no point. It only creates panic as people rush to the market to buy essential commodities. According to medical experts, virus is spread when people gather in large numbers, then what is the use of curfew and closing of shops on Saturday which in turn prompted large numbers of people to rush for marketing on Friday?The virus has caused an international crisis and many countries had declared emergency to fight against it. Developed countries like the European countries had declared emergency against Covid19. What about our state which is in a developing country? It is better to be prepared than to regret later.
Henceforth, it is high time for the state to stop tourists entering the state. A friend of mine from Germany told me that what is happening in Italy at present is because of carelessness of the country at the beginning when the virus began to spread. Therefore, it is appropriate time for the state of Meghalaya to completely stop tourists from entering the state for the time being. Let us not forget that Meghalaya is one of the best tourist destinations in Northeast India. Thus, if the State government and people of the state are not careful then it will be pointless to regret later. Hence, prevention is always better than cure. Finally, every citizen of the state should be serious and reasonable to fight against the virus because we do not know when it will come to our state.