Goa reported five deaths due to Covid infection in 24 hours with two brought dead to Hospicio Margao. The State saw a major jump of 757 new infections. Among the dead were two persons aged 37 and 42 years. While we maintain that those in hospitality and tourism-related businesses must be vaccinated immediately, there is also an urgent need to ask the Centre to remove age slabs for vaccination.
Goa has seen people below 45 years of age falling to the Covid attack in recent times. The second wave has 'double mutations' and is believed to be much stronger than the first one, targeting youngsters. In Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked the Centre to remove the age bar for vaccines, citing that 65 per cent of Covid patients are in the age group of 35-40. Goa's focus has been on intensifying the vaccination drive without any direction to the process.
On Thursday, India recorded its highest ever single-day spike with 2,00,739 cases. There is mayhem across States, but Goa remains unperturbed. Can the Goa government explain its preparedness should Covid strike big? What is being done in the nearly six months where there was a lull, and there was talk of a more severe second attack? And why do we continue to remain sluggish? Ironically, even the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim has not been re-notified again as a Covid facility.
The government is only seized with the fear that lockdown, night curfews and tightening the protocol for tourists will have disastrous consequences on the State's economy. The CM is yet to spell out steps taken to secure lives. People are dying and infections are rising exponentially. There is fear everywhere and the resolve of intensifying vaccination is not helping the cause. Goa lacks the seriousness shown by other states which have stepped up their fight and ramped up infrastructure. If tourism is given a red carpet, what stops the government from tightening screws on other sectors? For example, workplaces that have emerged as hotspots continue at full capacity. There are no restrictions on malls, gyms and markets where people continue to flock.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant determination to go ahead with exams of Class 10 and 12 in physical form from April 24 is baffling because of the spurt in cases every passing day. The NEET PG 2021 stands postponed, and several states have also cancelled their SSC exams. The decision to proceed with exams has to examined carefully.
By emphasizing solely on the vaccination drive, the State government has sent a message that the virus is manageable. People are emboldened to take liberties with the callousness shown by enforcement. While appealing to come forward and take the jab, the stress should strictly be on social distancing and compulsory use of face masks. There is only lip-service paid to the very basics of this Covid battle.
