Editor,
I am concerned with the letter captioned, ‘Tackling Covid in Sweden’ (ST October12, 2020).from Dr Tridib Kakoty, a veterinarian, reporting about an article which he read in the Sun, UK.
The facts are that Sweden adopted a strategy of allowing ‘herd immunity’ to build up. However, on June 3, 2020 The Guardian and the BBC carried news items that Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s state epidemiologist had admitted that Sweden may have got it wrong. Asked whether too many people in Sweden had died, he replied: “Yes, absolutely.”
As Denmark and Norway began opening up again, there was growing criticism of Sweden’s response, both inside the country and among its neighbours. Sweden presently has 9,731 cases per million population and 583 deaths. Comparative figures for Norway are: 2,857 & 51; for Denmark: 5,512 & 115; for Finland: 2,164 & 62. Among the major western European countries only Spain and Belgium have a higher ratio on both counts than Sweden – Spain: 19,041 and 704; Belgium: 13,983 & 978.
Some others are better on one or the other parameter. For France it is 11,253 & 500; Netherlands 10,186 & 384; UK 8,880 & 630; Italy 5,873 & 598; while others like Germany (3,891 & 116), Switzerland (6,961 & 241) and Austria (6,132 & 94) are far better on both counts.
Sweden adopted its open policy having a population known for its discipline. We can ask ourselves if we can be as disciplined. We would still have to see if Sweden’s strategy proves successful in the long run. As for now it has taken a high toll.
As for masks the East Asian nations have learnt from SARS, bird flu and other epidemics. Masks are normal in these countries. All of them have substantially lower case as well as death ratios than the countries which have derided or initially rejected masks. Japan (704 & 13); China (59 & 3); Singapore (9,872 & 5); S Korea (482 & 8).
On September 16, 2020, Dr Robert Redfield, Director of CDC, in his statement before a Senate sub-committee, stated, “I am going to comment as the CDC director that face masks, these face masks, are the most important powerful public health tool we have.” He further said, “I might even go so far as to say that this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine, because it may be 70%. And if I don’t get an immune response, the vaccine is not going to protect me, this face mask will.”
Claims that masks deprive the body of oxygen have been debunked repeatedly. As an example, The Times of India in its May 29 report (and the BBC on 24 July) had clearly stated, quoting research, that this is not true.
Yours etc.,
Barkos Warjri, IAS (Retd)
Via email
Problem of stray dogs
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor dated October 10, 2020 in your esteemed newspaper regarding stray dogs, it is an undeniable fact that many localities in Shillong are facing nuisance caused by the increasing number of stray dogs. Finding a solution to it is the need of the hour and Human United For Animal and Nature (HUFAN) is willing to extend all the help and support that is needed to curb this issue. HUFAN is an organization dedicated to serving animals, humans and nature, with the motto, “Humans for animals; and animals for humans”, believing that survival of mankind depends on the survival of animals and vice versa.
We would like to appeal to the government and the general public as well to help us in helping you. If not otherwise restricted by the government and if we get a permanent land/place for keeping the stray dogs, HUFAN would like to adopt/relocate/foster such stray animals and do our part in making Shillong a better place for both humans and animals.
Yours etc.,
Farooq Nongrum
President, HUFAN
Via email
Restriction Puja celebrations
Editor,
Durga Puja will be a restrained and staggered affair in Meghalaya this year. In an attempt to curb the Covid-19 spread during Durga Puja, the Meghalaya government has adopted strict measures. Government has curbed movement of devotees from one place to another and encouraged them not to venture out of localities. This is a huge responsibility to be shouldered by all Puja committees and will result in restrictions on inter-locality movement. Government is repeatedly urging all the Puja committees to appeal to devotees and visitors to remain in their respective localities and not to visit too many Puja pandals. Government seems to be extremely concerned about the movement of devotees and visitors and has reiterated that guidelines be strictly followed for movement of visitors during Durga puja.
Senior citizens aged above 65 years with morbidity conditions, children below 10 years and pregnant ladies have been advised to stay home. The Government is taking these precautionary measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 during the celebration of the biggest festival in our country after due consultations with Central Puja Committee, Meghalaya. The Puja committee does not mind performing only the rituals as per Hindu almanac (Pangika) schedule. It is decided that all idols should be in one frame with maximum height of five feet. Devotees will not be allowed to touch the idols. Puja offerings, Anjali and other rituals will be regulated by individual Puja committees. Dry prasad only will be distributed among the devotees and visitors. No lunch or cooked food is allowed to be distributed among devotees and visitors.
The Government has also directed all organisers to ensure that puja pandals are spacious and are open from all sides, with separate entry and exit points for visitors. The organisers will have to ensure that all visitors wear masks at all times and use hand sanitisers and thermal scanners before entering the puja pandal. The organisers will have to distribute masks and sanitisers in the vicinity of the pandal for people who might have come to puja without one.
Puja organisers have been asked to stagger rituals so that people can attend in smaller groups. The priests will use microphones while reciting prayers to ensure people can hear them while maintaining social distancing. Visitors have also been encouraged to bring their offerings like flowers from home to avoid crowds at stalls near pandals.
Organisers are advised that names and mobile number of all visitors should be kept by the puja committees for future requirement if necessary.
The government has banned cultural festivals, fairs or carnivals near the pandals. As far as immersions are concerned the organizers will have to follow strict instructions of the Government and CPC. Durga idols will have to be taken directly to ghats without any stopover and no foot processions will be allowed at the time of immersion of idols. The State Government has also decided that road side stranded visitors are not allowed during immersion.
With such strong restrictions in place it remains to be seen how Puja will be observed this year and if the word ‘celebration’ is appropriate during this pandemic.
Yours etc.,
Tapan Palit,
Via email