Early & consistent denials of the danger of COVID-19 & its Variants have frozen into inaction the major decision-makers in the early weeks leading to the pandemic. It appears that the war is being left largely to a handful of auto-proclaimed experts with no knowledge & experience in such extreme crisis management !
The threat exists for all our citizens be it young or old, healthy or with co-morbities, vaccinated or not , wherever they reside. In the past whenever there were threats, we have come together as one people; there is no such country-wide unity now…
Despite the obvious negative impact on our economy, the coronavirus should not be fought by half-measures; to continue to do so we will have deadlier consequences!
Let us be clear: We are at war and the first principle of war is to define your OBJECTIVE.
First and foremost, the commander-in-chief must focus on all the elements of national power to bring the war against the virus until a successful outcome is achieved.
Victory means protecting our people against this deadly virus & avoid further loss of lives.
As a patriot & having myself been a survivor from this deadly virus, I humbly request the authorities to consider doing the following:
a) Establish a more efficient covid treatment protocol & seek help from India & other friendly countries.
The protocol at ENT is so obviously and patently wrong; It is diametrically opposite to the treatment in India. It needs to be changed drastically with immediate effect. We should be humble enough to ask the advice of the doctors at AIIMS. I can be in touch with them if the authorities so decide.
b) Convert some of the white-elephant infrastructures into COVID centres equipped with beds, adequate Oxygen supply & ventilators.
c) Send our national carrier to fetch the most efficient vaccines, recently approved medicines & medical equipments wherever available.
d) Give further assistance to our front liners & consider bringing in the SMF to assist in the administrative tasks and to ensure discipline
e) Get the private clinics to work in collaboration with Public hospitals & mutually support them as well. Saving lives must not be a business !
f) Apply the Work From Home policy to a maximum of workers , limit movement by alphabetical order immediately. This will solve the problem of overcrowding at public places & in public transport.
g) Observe the curve for 7 days & if no improvement is noted plan a total lockdown with prior notice to avoid panic of local & tourists wishing to travel back.
h) Stop telling people we are covid safe and that vaccination protects you completely.
NEITHER IS TRUE !
i) Also urge our citizens about the importance of wearing masks properly, ie covering the nose not hanging around the neck. And also keep telling people about the importance of keeping a distance of at least 2 meters and keep washing/sanitising their hands.
I have made suggestions that I believe are achievable, the rest is your call…
Unless the government takes the bull by the horn and changes tack now, we are heading for an unmitigated disaster.
Once again , you can’t win a war with half measures…let’s beat the enemy boldly hand in hand ✋🏼
Navin Ramgoolam
