Apropos the editorial 'No need to panic; balance tourism with vigilance' (TGE Oct8, 2026). Goa's tourism season has begun with Russian charter flights and festive welcomes, yet an unexplained death in Siberia has cast an uneasy shadow. The word 'plague' spreads faster than any pathogen, and panic could do more damage than the disease itself. Closing borders or turning away visitors would be a costly overreaction for a State whose economy depends on tourism. At the same time, pretending nothing has happened would be reckless. The sensible path lies in screening at entry points, keeping isolation facilities ready, and communicating transparently with the public. Vigilance grounded in science, not fear, protects both public health and the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the season.
K CHIDANAND KUMAR, Bengaluru
