In short, it is like a lungi, which is tucked on the waist but down below, it’s all open. Agreed, the cases have sharply decreased, and the positivity report has also reduced, but the threat is not over yet. Not very far from Goa in Karnataka, experts say the third wave has already hit.
Another issue is during this Curfew, the police and authorities must also check and fine the unruly tourists. They are moving around without masks and flouting norms.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Once again, the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, announced the State-wide Curfew till August 16, 7 pm.
Since May 9, we have been getting bulletins every Saturday or Sunday to extend a state-wide curfew in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, what surprises and frustrates everyone is that the Curfew and protocols announced are just on paper and in reality, everything is open. From time to time, the Government has also relaxed the timings for opening shops, so one wonders why call it Curfew?
A curfew is when Section 144 is imposed along with essential services shut down.
A lockdown is when there is a restriction on assembly, but essential services are still available.
But in Goa, it is neither lockdown nor Curfew.
In short, it is like a lungi, which is tucked on the waist but down below, it’s all open. Agreed, the cases have sharply decreased, and the positivity report has also reduced, but the threat is not over yet. Not very far from Goa in Karnataka, experts say the third wave has already hit.
Another issue is during this Curfew, the police and authorities must also check and fine the unruly tourists. They are moving around without masks and flouting norms.
Keeping this in view, should we not be more careful. We had already seen the Killer May when 1700 people lost their life due to COVID. Just two months down the line, we seem to have forgotten everything. No social distancing, no mask, tourists are moving around freely.
We can say only casinos and theatres re-closed rest everything is open without following any norms.
The economy has to move, but that does not mean we throw caution to the wind.
Thankfully, things are still under control, but god forbid, the third wave hits Goa now. The impact could be worse considering our poor health infrastructure.
We have seen how the oxygen and bed shortage killed many people. So why is the Government inviting the Third wave?
Instead of battling to start tourism first, Government must look into restarting tourism. After all education of our children is of much more importance.
Already, the students who have passed out in 2021 have got a dubious tag of “Corona Graduates”.
The Government has to make efforts to get all the teachers and support staff fully vaccinated. The vaccines for children from 12 to 18 is expected by September-October. Hence the Government must make preparations for those vaccinations in schools itself.