PANAJI
On the backdrop of the reopening of schools in the physical mode and the covid cases in Goa, parent teachers associations are worried for the children’s wellbeing. Will the rising covid cases impact on the running of the schools and will they close again in the near future? Refuting the claims and clearing the doubts in the public minds, Dr Shekhar Salkar, on behalf of the Expert Committee to review Covid situation in the State said that the current situation requires us to wait and watch, but not to jump to any conclusions.
“The schools have just started, so it will take another 10 days for us to know if the number of Covid cases is growing. I was of the opinion that after the third wave, it will take at least three to three-and-a-half months for us to get an idea of the Covid situation in the State. The number is not significantly growing, and the admissions in the hospitals are also not on the rise. We have to see if those who have contracted Covid are suffering much. There has been not a single death so far. Admissions are few and everything is stable so there is nothing serious that we have to press the panic button right now. We have to wait and watch and observe carefully,” said Dr Salkar, appealing to people to wear masks, observe a distance of two meters and take necessary precautions.
“One has to wear a mask in the crowd. The sick and elderly should take extra precaution. If the Covid cases climb more than 10 % then we have to make wearing of the masks compulsory,” said the doctor, pointing out that currently there is an advisory that one should wear mask.
About the children contracting Covid, Dr Salkar assured that children do not suffer so much. Pointing out that those above 12 are mostly vaccinated and death chances in children are extremely rare, Dr Salkar said if kids wear masks, its more than enough. “How long can we control the kids? If herd immunity develops and Covid spreads, it may help them in a way. Their immunity is better than us and they are stronger than us. Sick and unhealthy child should be taken good care of by the teachers and parents,” said Dr Salkar.
Stating that children would not have so much impact even if they fall sick, as keeping them home for five days is good enough and they can go back to school once they are cured of body ache, sore throat etc. “There has been no lung problem after the first and second wave, and no oxygen demand too. If a person gets fever, and it is controlled, then it is manageable. We can consider it is like an extension of flu. Currently, Covid is well under control and there have been no deaths due to Covid, also admissions are in control too,” assured the doctor.
Advising people to take their booster dose, Dr Salkar expressed that this is a thing to be worried. “People are not coming forward to take their booster doses. We should be cautious and not carefree,” he warned.
