You are Radha/ Ramesh, a member of an NGO. Write a letter to the editor of national daily for creating awareness regarding COVID 19 pandemic and urge people for ‘Social Distancing’ to avoid further spread of the virus. (Write in 120-150 words)
Answers
Answer:
Despite assurances, I have never experienced so much fear and anxiety in my life as I feel now about the COVID-19 pandemic (Page 1, “No community transmission of coronavirus, says Centre”, March 22). I am 84, and have seen disasters like the tsunami, floods after tanks have breached, and epidemics such as cholera. But COVID-19 has made them all insignificant. It is unsettling that cases are galloping. With no vaccine in sight in the foreseeable future, people have to be very conscious not to create problems as far as the infection transmission cycle is concerned. There was curfew during the world wars to safeguard ourselves from enemy’s attack. Now, a 14-hour lockdown has to be thought of to try and help safeguard ourselves from a pandemic
Answer:
Apropos ‘It’s getting worse for Xi Jinping’ (March 28), the complacency in the initial days of the corona outbreak and the opacity in the distribution of information has cost Xi Jinping his credibility. If it was not for China’s selfish attempts to conceal information, the coronavirus, in all likeliness, would not have exacerbated into a pandemic. An evident fiasco, China’s misgovernance has cost lives, livelihoods and economies. Most countries are in a state of lockdown. This incident is an important lesson for the citizens of India — favour only those governments that are transparent with regard to communication of information.
Nissim Aggarwal, Chandigarh
Stand by one another
Refer to ‘Sorry, had no option but lockdown’ (March 30); the government is hustling to create a system for providing essentials to people and ensure the supply chain of products. This is a challenging time for all, be it the rich or poor, but it is more difficult for daily wage-earners who are struggling for even one meal a day. It is the moral responsibility of every citizen to help one another and follow social distancing. It is vital to not have emotional distance with people around.
Deepakshi Seth, Uttar Pradesh
Safety gear for cops
Along with health professionals, the police are doing a laudable job throughout the country in the fight against Covid and in ensuring the safety of citizens. Though the police have dealt with the public patiently, there are times when they are forced to take action when people flout rules. If not for the police, the lockdown in most parts of the country would have ended in chaos. Health protection gear and devices are a must for the police as they have to handle all kinds of people on the streets. The medical fraternity should help and guide them with frequent checkups and safety measures.
SC DHALL, ZIRAKPUR
No donation from parties
The worst-affected due to the lockdown are the daily wagers. A lot of money is required to provide them with food, shelter and other basic needs. Many individuals and corporates have liberally donated for the cause. One wonders why our political parties, whether in the ruling or the Opposition — the self-proclaimed champions of the poor — have not made donations from their own funds, despite the fact that some of them have their coffers overflowing. Are their funds meant only to secure power?
HL Sharma, Amritsar
Bold step by RBI
The RBI’s decision to reduce the repo rate is an effective step towards dealing with the stagnant economy of India. Keeping the economy slowdown in mind, the need of the hour was to counter the cash crunch prevailing in India. It was a bold move by the RBI to reduce the repo rate by 75 basis points at one go. This will enhance liquidity.
KHUSHNASEEB KAUR, Patiala
Will help economy
Refer to the March 28 editorial ‘Handholding borrowers’, RBI’s announcement may help efforts to address the economic upheaval. Measures like lowering cost of capital, ensuring ample liquidity and providing a moratorium for three months on payments of all loans of retail and corporation borrowings will help ease financial burden and also protect against defaults. On the liquidity front, the measures are significant as the new cash-reserve ratio can bring liquidity to the corporate bond market. But the amounts involved may have to be expanded. The expansion of the scope of cash transfers, especially in the unorganised/informal parts of economy, should be considered.
PRAKASH HANSPAUL, by mail
Ensure unhindered supply
The efforts by the district administration, especially in Punjab, with regard to the provision of essential items are falling short of the challenge thrown by the Covid outbreak. The drying up of retail kirana stores because of disrupted wholesale supply has added fuel to the fire. Before the situation gets worse, the state governments, in cooperation with the Centre, should ensure unhindered supply of essential items.
Arun goyal, Dirba
Attack on Sikhs
Apropos ‘Kabul gurdwara attack turns spotlight on CAA’ (March 30), the writer seems misinformed about the ground realities in Afghanistan and Pakistan regarding persecution in the backdrop of theocratic rule. The CAA is a legitimate and timely enactment, and could have kept the nation free of processions and riots had the present dispensation used the right language, to include ‘anyone’, irrespective of religion and State. The government should take immediate steps to accommodate Sikhs from Afghanistan or Pakistan in view of the recent attack.