Editor,
After reading the article about pressure groups refusing to play ball on removing vax hesitancy I feel that such people should stay au courant on these issues and base their arguments by reading national newspapers and watching world TV channels. They should apprise themselves that in these developed nations the majority of people have been vaccinated against Covid 19 as this is the only way to slow down the spread of the virus. These countries are also venturing into vaccinating the entire population including children from the age of two upwards. I hope they are also sensitive to the fact that the second wave of the virus has claimed almost three hundred thousand human lives.
Further the Indian Medical Association has reported that more than a thousand doctors have succumbed to the infection they get after treating Covid infected patients. Many more thousands of our nurses, health workers, paramedics, front-liners – our martyrs fighting the Covid battle have left behind their children, family members and loved ones. Is it hard for these neophobic people to show their appreciation by confronting the plague along with them? By being hesitant about the vaccine they are just allowing the virus infection to spiral beyond control. As part of the civil society, pressure groups can play a positive role for once by disseminating authentic information to the public by using rational arguments. Stop being rabble rousers who only speak with the intention of inflating the emotions of the people for political reasons only. Stop living in your ‘ Arcadian bliss’ as obstinacy and vehemence are the surest proofs of stupidity.
Yours etc
C. Lyngdoh,
Shillong-3
Have a heart !
Editor,
Apropos of the letter captioned, “Social Distancing in Hospitals” (ST May 22, 2021), I wish to counter this allegation that a patient who is also the spouse of a Covid patient was bundled together in the same facility at NEIGRIHMS Hospital thereby posing a health hazard. This allegation is false since the author of the said letter did not consider the fact that the attendant is also herself positive and battling against Covid along with her husband. Both physical and emotional health is paramount in countering Covid19. As such the family is very grateful to NEIGRIHMS Hospital for their empathy and dedicated service towards facilitating the same.
While the author of the said letter might have meant well, it is regrettable that being close to the family she did not confirm the facts and circumstances directly from the family before casting aspersions on the them and on NEIGRIHMS and creating paranoia among the general public.
Yours etc.,
A concerned family member of the patients at NEIGRIHMS Hospital
Name withheld on request
2-Deoxy D-glucose drug development
Editor,
As appeared in various news media, the recent announcement by the country’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a wing of the DRDO on the development of a novel therapeutic drug, 2-Deoxy D-glucose (2 DG) against Covid 19 is misleading. The molecule 2 DG is a chemical entity and was manufactured long ago. In fact, 2 DG is an experimental chemical that is widely used across laboratories to study fundamental biological processes, such as energy generation by the living cells for survival. Moreover, 2 DG is an investigational drug that is studied as an anti-cancer and antiviral agent for many years, including in cardiovascular complications. 2-DG was shown to be effective against herpes simplex virus and also as an anti-convulsant in epilepsy. Hence, the claim by the DRDO on the development of 2 DG per se is unfounded. They should, in fact, release a statement on this. However, the INMAS must be congratulated on the 2 DG clinical studies and trials conducted by them along with Dr. Reddy’s Lab., Hyderabad against Covid 19, and the success achieved as claimed by them.
Yours etc.,
Dr. H. S. Ranhotra,
Shillong -18
Poorly ventilated room a cause of worry
Editor
We all are aware that Coronavirus is spread from the droplets breathed out by a Covid infected person. These minute droplets do suspend/float in the atmosphere for some time before settling down on the surface. If this foul air is inhaled by any person, whose antibody is less, then such person is very likely to be infected by Covid-19. This most likely, happens in a room which is badly ventilated. This is the reason why our public health authorities advise us to open windows and doors for better air circulation, in their advisories (ST May 23 reference).
Unfortunately, almost all shops in Shillong do not have proper ventilation. Some shops do have a wide front door but even they do not have cross ventilation to let out the foul air from inside. So, shopping inside such shops is a health hazard, particularly during the current pandemic. I have seen some doctors’ clinic too being housed in a dark and dingy corner of a building, where one has to switch on the light even during the day. Thus, a patient who comes for consulting the doctor, falls victim to morbidity of Covid-19. Hence doctors should consider, moving their consultation room in a makeshift arrangement in open corridors of the building, during this pandemic.
Considering the above aspects, the district authority may allow the roadside vendors to continue their business, provided they keep reasonable space among themselves. The reason for this is needless to explain here.
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri
Shillong-2
We are part of the Solution
Editor,
The theme for this year’s 22nd May, 2021 International Day for Biological diversity “We are part of the solution,” is most appropriate and absolutely necessary in order to protect and conserve animals and plants around us. We can conserve the biodiversity at the individual level but it makes a lot of difference when we involve the whole community as part of our conservation effort. In this regard I would like to commend the effort of Lapalang Village, Pynursla Block, E.K. Hills District which readily cooperated to allow the setting up of Fish Conservation Zone (FCZ) in Rymben river in order to conserve fish species. From the day that the FCZ was formally inaugurated on 25th January, 2021, the villagers of Lapalang ceased daily activities of all sorts like bathing, washing clothes and even fishing which is an activity they would not like to forgo since it is part and parcel of their lifestyle.
However, with a decision unanimously taken by the Village Dorbar, this aim has successfully materialized, and is wholeheartedly supported by the entire village community. The stretch of the FCZ is only 250 meters but the fruit is already evident in the number of fishes that have multiplied in this area, especially mahseer that swim about freely within 2-3 months after the inauguration of the FCZ. The aquatic organisms are allowed to live freely in their habitat without any human disturbance.
Very often as it generally happens, damming the river for the purpose of human consumption intrudes into the safe haven of fish species and other aquatic organisms. This is no different when people who live in a certain area are uprooted and dislocated due to construction of dams or any other projects, and are forced to vacate their familiar surroundings.
Thus, we can all be part of the solution in conservation of species by tapping the bio-resources up to a certain limit, without depleting them and at the same time allowing them to live and multiply.
Yours etc.,
Bashida Massar,
Associate Professor
Department of Zoology, St Anthony’s College,
Via email