Provide care, scale up testing & contact tracing to flatten curve

What measures can prevent another covid surge in Chandigarh?

Volunteers can create awareness

Chandigarh has thousands of students enrolled in NCC and NSS. Their services can be taken for creating awareness on pandemic. Let every volunteer pass on a message in his/her surroundings with a target of 50 people. Flashcards can be used to convey messages for no complacency and total fight against Covid during festive celebrations.

Rajpartap Singh, Zirakpur

-----------------------------------------------------------

Don’t celebrate ostentatiously

Although, millions of distressed Indian manufacturers and traders are counting on the eagerly-awaited October-December festive season to rescue them from losses incurred during Covid catastrophe, Centre’s advice to people to stay away from large congregations and diligently follow guidelines has to be followed. No religion or God asks people to celebrate ostentatiously also seems logical in the present circumstances and in the interests of public health. Economy of the country is also important, but not more than health of its citizens. If one is healthy, then only he or she can contribute towards building nation’s economy.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

---------------------------------------------

Life precious than gatherings

Looking at people thronging religious places in Navratri one can make out that they are not going to stop rituals during pandemic. The Administration should strictly prohibit crowding. If people continue to mingle then the situation will turn ugly. Life is precious than social gatherings.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duty of all to stop virus spread

During the festive season, we as a citizens and responsible human beings must fully adhere to the MHA guidelines and take preventive measures to stop the spread of virus. The corona pandemic has affected and devastated many countries on the economic front. In any case, the unlock measures have to be observed carefully. Laxity and deliberate ignorance of SOPs is putting lives of many at stake. Persons having old, senior citizens and small children at home must stay away from crowded places. It is a binding and duty of all to prevent the spread of disease.

Dr Karan Singh Vinayak, Chandigarh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don’t lower guard against virus

There is a need to keep the guard on during the winter season. Rush in public and religious places has to be reduced during the ongoing festival season to keep the virus at bay. Parties and other social gatherings have to be restricted and avoided if possible to remain safe. Last but not the least, people must wear mask at all times, wash hands and maintain safe distance to check another surge.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Celebrate festivals at home

As this is festive time, some complacency from people is expected. So, to prevent it the authorities must ensure that people wear masks at public places and those not doing so must be fined. The police should checking violations. Shopkeepers should make sure that customers maintain social distance. People must celebrate festivals at homes to prevent the spread of virus. Elders should avoid outdoor movement.

Abhinav Kapil, Chandigarh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not out of the woods

During festival season it’s natural for the general public to take the guidelines easy and indulge in socialising, shopping and celebrations. We must observe all safety norms like before. The police must challan people not wearing mask. The enforcing agency has to take a call and make sure that guidelines like social distancing and less crowding are strictly follow in letter and in spirit.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Act as responsible citizens

Apart from the UT Administration, people themselves should act as sensible and responsible citizens and do all that needs to be done to keep the virus away in the festival season. There should be no let up in the safety precautions at all. Let us maintain social distancing norms and wear mask and use sanitiser without fail. These small precautions will help us keep the Covid-19 surge down.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

---------------------------------------------------------------

Extend Covid protocol for six months

The UT Administration should ensure that residents take precautions like wear mask properly, maintain social distance and cleanliness strictly for another six months to keep the deadly disease under control. Any laxity will boost pandemic as winter season comes with other diseases, which affect lungs/chest.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Increase testing facilities

All organisations have started functioning and the festival season is also on. So, another COovid-19 surge is much expected. The Administration should increase testing facilities for Covid-19. It can allow good medical stores to have testing facilities for the virus at nominal rates.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opt for e-greetings during festivals

The festival season is here, but we all must remember that Covid-19 has still not abated from our country though its pace is slow. At any cost the guard must not be lowered as far as the precautions regarding the spread of virus. The celebrations must be there but while observing all pandemic norms. Shopkeepers have to make sure that their customers maintain physical distance, wear masks and undergo thermo scanner check. Shoppers should themselves follow all safety measures. While greeting each other avoid handshakes and embracing. Rather greet with folded hands from a suitable distance. Keep an eye on children as they generally forget safety norms during festive celebrations. Go for e-greetings as today it is the world of virtual celebrations.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

--------------------------------------------------------

Online shopping good alternative

One person per house should step out to avoid rush during festival season. Shopkeepers should not allow more customers to enter in shops. Protocols must be followed inside the shops. Online shopping or visit to shop by appointment can be good alternatives. Shopkeepers can publicise their products by making WhatsApp group and providing home delivery. Masses should realise the gravity of the situation and step out only when it is mandatory stop the pandemic surge. Masses ought to be more responsible.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

------------------------------------------

Public cannot stay indoors during festivals

People want to celebrate Durga Puja, Dashera and Diwali. These are cherished religious festivals. Hope these will protect people from problems. People cannot stay indoors because they can neither spend nor celebrate during festivals. Thousands of businessmen, who've stocked goods for the festive season, will bear losses if their wares remain unsold. The Administration should maintain law and order during festivals. It should make sure that people and businessmen follow guidelines like wearing face masks and keep social distance. The police should request people to go home soon after shopping to prevent the Covid surge.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure protocol is followed

Kerala was considered as a model state to control the Covid-19. However, the pandemic surged due to the community transmission because of Onman celebrations by the people. Make proper arrangements in markets for residents so that they can follow SOPs. The Administration must ensure social distancing and strictly following of Covid protocol while people celebrate festivals.

Gopal Mittal, Panchkula

------------------------------------------------

People should follow thumb rule

Maintain social distance (two gaj ke duri), sanitise your hands and wear mask at public places is a basic thumb rule to control Covid-19 epidemic. The public should make a habit to follow the rule everywhere. Help can be taken from local NGOs and RWAs to spread awareness among people about following guidelines to prevent virus from spreading again in the UT.

TBS Bedi, Chandigarh

--------------------------------------------------

Prevention better than cure

Residents should never show laxity in following Covid prevention norms like social distancing and wearing masks while shopping during the ongoing festival season. They should always keeping in mind that prevention is better than cure. In a nutshell, it would be appropriate to say that residents should follow Centre Government’s appeal to ensure their safety and prevent another wave of coronavirus in the UT.

Hardeep Singh Slaich,

Mohali

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help admn to prevent surge

There are two aspects of the problem, religious and climatic. By and large we are orthodox and firm believers of rituals. Even though we are well educated and sensible, needs of rituals override the guidelines of social distancing as people rush out for purchases for celebrations. Festivals being religious the Administration cannot take harsh measures either. At best the Administration can be ready for treatment of patients as new cases may crop up. Therefore, people must help the government to control the resurgence of Covid-19. Try to keep warm by remaining indoors and go out when absolutely necessary.

Dr Gurdev Singh, Mohali

----------------------------------------------------------

Set up special market in every sector

Another surge in coronavirus cases can be checked by imposing strict lockdown during festival season. On the other hand, keeping in view of festivals, the Administration should set up special markets in every sector and locality to cater to needs of residents. Check posts should be established at entry points of markets to ensure use of sanitisers and masks. To take care of religious sentiments of people, the Administration should decorate every corner of the city, distribute sweets, diyas, candles and flowers among residents.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh.

----------------------------------------------

Over confidence may backfire

The tricity tiptoes into near-normalcy sidelining guidelines. Apprehensions of easy spread of the virus can’t be ruled out. Hasty decisions and over confidence may backfire unless precautions and prevention are religiously adhered to. The authorities must ensure testing of every suspected patient. Thermal screening and sanitation should be mandatory at places with substantial footfall. Mounting violations of face-mask, social distancing and frequent hand washing should be curbed strictly. The situation is too risky to be left to self-regulation. Sooner we adopt norms the better it would be for self and society. Rigidity by the Administration should not be taken as an onslaught on individual’s festive mood.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

---------------------------------------------

Let’s bear restrictions for next six months

We may get euphoric during Dashera, Diwali and Durga Puja, but coronavirus will not be kind to us. Rather it will feast on our foolishness. So, let’s not fritter away our last seven months efforts. During festivals, let’s not go out and mix with people. We can do away with lavish Diwali shopping and going to others’ houses to give gifts. Give a gift of your love, blessing and best wishes on telephone. There is no need for a joint celebration this year in a club, hotel or community centre etc. The police and the authorities must be alert and strictly check those, who refuse to abide by the Covid precautions. Every one must wear a mask and keep distance while interacting. For the next six months, let’s bear with the restrictions and keep ourselves safe and healthy. God willing, we will beat Covid-19 by then.

Col RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt

----------------------------

Live stream celebrations at public places

It is quite necessary to take extra precautions during the festive season amid Covid-19 pandemic. But it is a matter of fact that the number of Covid cases have gone down so people aren’t as scared as before. Celebrate festivals in a simple way without gathering. It’s duty of the Chandigarh Administration to live stream celebrations at public places on Facebook or Youtube. Adhere to Covid precautions like wearing face mask, maintain physical distance, use hand sanitisers and wash hands frequently.

Anita Tandon, Kharar

-------------------------------------------------

Gandhigiri need of the hour

A rose and a letter for violating norms In ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’, Sanjay Dutt sent roses and cards wishing “Get well soon” to Boman Irani for his wrong conduct. Similarly, the UT Administration should give a rose and a letter stating all necessary precautions and adverse effects of Covid to those, who are violating pandemic guidelines. A photo should be clicked of a violator while giving a rose and letter and uploaded on the UT Administration website.

Tarunjot Kaur, Greater Mohali

-------------------------------

Celebrations must be a low-key affair

The authorities should ensure that celebrations are a quiet and low-key affair this festive season as safe distance cannot be maintained at public places with maximum footfall. The police have to work hard to enforce norms like wearing mask and maintaining social distance. The authorities should ensure hand sanitising every where in the city.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Haste may put peoples’ life at risk

Though fresh Covid cases have dropped in the city, pandemic is still among us and far from over. Any haste may backfire risking precious lives. Laxity by the people can seen everywhere. To curb another surge and make festival a fun follow measures such as avoiding crowded places and stay home. The authorities should carry out sero survey during the festival. The only defence against the virus is safety protocol, which includes washing hands, wearing mask and keeping distance.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lives more precious than celebrations

It will be better to save ourselves from contracting virus in festival days. Residents must behave responsibly and take all precautions. They should ensure that their children also take safety measures. The Administration should ensure that vendors are allocated stalls at safe distance from each other. No vendor or public should be allowed without mask in the market. Vendors should be instructed to sanitise their hands frequently. People should also keep sanitiser with them to sanitise hands frequently. Crowding should not be allowed at public places. All must realise that our lives and that of our dear ones are more precious than festival celebrations.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

---------------------------------------------------------------

Ramp up testing for virus

Pandemic has become a way of life. All have to learn to live with it. A spike in Covid cases is expected during festival season. Taking precautions like social distancing, wearing mask and sanitising hands can save many lives. Healthcare workers should be deployed to guide people to take precautions. Testing for Covid should be ramped up. Citizens must take measures to protect themselves and their families. This can help suppress another surge of coronavirus.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ban large gatherings temporarily

The UT Administration should ban large public gatherings, fairs, food stalls, exhibitions, rallies and religious processions temporarily during the festive season. It may sound ridiculous but failing to adhere to such tough measures can result in losing all gained during the last seven months in the fight against Covid-19. Another surge can do irreparable damage to the economy.

Dr Manjinder Kaur, Manali

---------------------------------------------

Use CCTVs for compliance of norms

The UT Administration should issue strict guidelines for senior citizens, people with comorbidities and children less than 10 years to stay at home. Event organisers must ensure availability of sanitisers, thermal screening, physical guides, signs on walls, sneeze guards or partitions, multiple entrances and exits and change of seating layout to maintain physical distance. Heavy fines should be imposed on people without masks. Drones and CCTVs must be used to monitor compliance of physical distancing norm. It will help in containing the surge.

Komal Singh, Chandigarh

-----------------------------------

Market associations can help

Market associations can assist the UT Administration in checking the rush at public places during the festival season. They can ensure that customers coming to shops wear mask and maintain social distance. This will also prevent community transmission of virus and resultant surge.

Tarlok Singh, Chandigarh

---

QUESTION

Sanitation workers are up in arms against the Chandigarh MC’s move to introduce GPS-enabled watches for 4,000 employees. The watches are used to mark online attendance of the field staff and keep a check on their location as there were complaints from residents that the sanitation workers often missed duty. Workers claim the watches show faulty location and cause health issues. MC Commissioner KK Yadav, however, says he and other officers also wear the watches and the workers’ claims are baseless. What do you have to say about it?

---

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]