Editor,
Dr Meban’s Kharkongor’s description of the overwhelming emotional and physical distress that health workers have been going through during this pandemic is something that resonated with the entire medical community and the rational, empathic sections of society. I thank Dr Meban for putting the spotlight on humanity in such sordid times through his column in The Shillong Times, thereby reminding us that people are not just statistics or numbers that get released every evening. Each departed soul has left a void that will never be filled. I also thank the thoughtful doctor for talking about the resilience shown by our brave Covid-19 warriors, the accomplished professionals, nurses, frontline workers and the big-hearted volunteers who have taken up funeral duties.
Families across our state, our country and the world have experienced despair – and our Covid-19 warriors have been striving day in day out trying their best to make a difference. By putting their bodies on the line, by taking risks that armchair critics and commentators would not even dream of doing, they are our real heroes. Alas, in this battle we have also lost people from the medical community and frontline workers; while they tried to save the lives of others they too succumbed to the disease. The virus is real and the lives that are lost are real. A pandemic that existed on TV screens is now at home. The tragedy is real and amidst this desperation, people have also risen as a united front – helping each other and preventing more tragedies.
Unfortunately, we still have irresponsible individuals undermining the hard work and the risks being taken by the Covid-19 frontliners. There are individuals who in their drive to showcase themselves as concerned citizens, albeit with a very myopic mindset, are spreading doubts and creating obstacles in the public mind regarding the vaccination. Does it not matter that independent studies and subject matter experts have vouched for the effectiveness of the vaccine? Results of a recent study by Apollo Hospitals over a period of four and half months from 43 units of Apollo, spanning 24 cities in the country on more than 31,621 healthcare workers who had received either both doses or the first dose of Covishield or Covaxin showed that the vaccines offer 95% protection from the virus. The finding also showed that only 90 cases or 0.28 % of them required hospitalization with only three cases or 0.009 % requiring ICU admission.
The protective effect of vaccination in preventing infection, hospitalization, need for oxygen and ICU admission were 65 percent,77 percent, 92 percent and 94 percent respectively according to a study done in CMC, Vellore. There are many other studies conducted by other countries that proves vaccination is protective. The statistics would be more or less similar if a survey is conducted in our state too with regards to vaccination and Covid.
There is an illogical inconsistency in the way the anti-vaccination brigade goes about its business. And we are going to lose lives because of such reckless and insensitive statements. I would also urge our community and individuals to join the united front against the virus rather than create unnecessary and self-destructive resistance.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Debashish Das
Medical Director,
The Children’s Hospital,
Shillong – 6
Legislators, keep your ears to the ground
Editor,
A good leader should learn to keep his ears to the ground. The real test of leadership does not show up when everything is smooth sailing. Rather, leadership is most often tested during a crisis. The way a leader behaves and acts in a crisis will establish his credentials. In times of a pandemic like the one we’re experiencing at present, there is no time to dilly-dally or even weigh the pros and cons of the vaccine drive initiated by our Government. This is a case of quickly evaluating all the facts at hand and making a decision about what is best for the general public.
A true leader should act like a statesman, that is, one who has the vision to dream of a better and safer world and have the courage to turn that dream into a reality. He should have a prudent concern for the future and show wisdom and skill in dealing with public issues. He should strive to promote public good and be far-sighted enough to think for the future generation. This is the quality we should look for when we elect our representatives.
A representative cannot change his views just like a chameleon changes colour. A leader is not one who does what his electors tell him to do. If representatives only voice out their opinions based on the judgment of their voters then the administration of the state will be in turmoil. Leaders should not be instructed by their electorate about the stand they are to take on various issues. Their horizon of approach should not be narrowed down by a parochial outlook. Local prejudices should not guide the leader. Instead the general good of all should be the criterion for exercising independent judgement. Hope this will be a clarion call for all our budding representatives.
Yours etc.,
C Lyngdoh,
Shillong-3
We don’t know what we have until it’s gone
Editor,
We don’t know what we have till it’s gone. But, is it necessary, that one has to go through that path of unimaginable sorrow like the loss of someone precious to them, or does one have to suffer a dreaded disease or face death and come out alive, for us to be thankful? I believe not.
“My body, my right”, I said that too… I felt it too. I was sceptical of the speed at which the vaccine was developed. I had doubts about the effectiveness. Like most people I too was fearful of the side effects. I may have even thought that COVID 19 was a sham and a scam. I may not understand what is going on in all our minds, but I can relate to it. I am a doctor of Medicine working at the very eye of the storm. In the last few months I have seen things which I’d never wish upon anyone.
But if a medical practitioner like me can have reservations about a scientifically developed vaccine with proven benefits, which has the ability to change the very course of this pandemic, then like I stated earlier – I can relate. But I could not let these personal scepticisms stand in the way of protecting my family and myself.
Science and facts overpowered personal opinions and logic, so I got myself and my family vaccinated. Will it keep us safe from infection? I don’t know. Will it have irreversible side effects? Time will tell.
Science says it may prevent the devastating effects of the disease. It says it will help prevent the spread. It says it will help us come out of this pandemic and lockdown on life as we knew it. If there is even a 1% chance of offering us a new lease of normalcy, I have taken it. Isn’t that what we are all hoping and looking forward to?
Let us all come together, old and young, religious leaders, elected representatives, village headmen and medics. Let us create more awareness amongst the masses.
We can lose this together or we can win this together – one vaccine at a time.
Praying and hoping for normal days again
Yours etc.,
Dr Patrick S R Marak
MD Medicine,
NEIGRIHMS
Via email
Correction: In the letter to the editor, “The controversial rice scam of Meghalaya,” by Andrea Syiemlieh (ST June 16, 2021), the name of Mr James Sangma was inadvertently mentioned as the Minister Food & Civil Supplies instead of Mr Prestone Tynsong who is also the Dy CM. We regret the error.