Don’t let guard down, battle against Covid still on

OPEN HOUSE Is it safe not to follow guidelines meant to check the spread of Covid-19?

The pandemic struck the world like a bolt from the blue. Repeated lockdowns, loss of jobs, restricted lifestyle, closure of educational institutions and adhering to difficult precautions, and many other abhorrent and unanticipated restrictions came in its wake. It has been more than a year since the people have been following the necessary precautions. Abatement of the pandemic cases and continued fatigue of precautions led the people to throw all norms to the winds. As a result, Covid-19 cases have begun to surge and fears of second and even mutated strains have begun to lurk around. In the present situation, wearing a mask and keeping social distancing cannot be dispensed with, till the majority of the population is vaccinated and develop antibodies against the disease. It is only after the development of herd immunity that we can relax the required precautions against the pandemic. Besides, we should spare no efforts to strengthen our immunity against the diseases by taking regular exercise, doing yoga, daily walks, and taking a healthy diet so that our bodies are immune not only against coronavirus but also against any other pathogens in the future. Our efforts can work wonders to cope with the situation. It may, therefore, be concluded that we should always be mentally prepared to take any type of pandemic by the forelock and learn to live with it boldly taking all types of necessary precautions.

Vansh Chani

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Carelessness has crept in

As Covid-19 cases are rising again it’s time to follow guidelines in spirit. People are getting careless. Many have stopped wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. No regulations can be seen monitoring. Therefore, it is important for every one of us to follow the guidelines. The district administration and the police should grow awareness and task out activities such as social distancing and santising hands and take new role as public health messengers. They should implement creative ways to teach the law-breakers so that they can never repeat the same and stay safe. People should be aware about the Covid symptoms and get a test done if they are feeling those symptoms. Local authority should provide testing of Covid-19 at reasonable rates so that people can avail it.

Harleen Kaur

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Can’t afford to be complacent

New cases of Covid-19 keep coming up in the city. In such case, ignoring the guidelines is same as showing red rag to a bull. Covid-19 is not something to be taken lightly. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. So, why to put the head in the mortar to be crushed by not following the guidelines. Social distancing and wearing masks in public arena are very crucial to follow. Literally, we will get rid of this curse as soon as we will be determined to follow the precautions.

Gurpreet Kaur

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Stay at home, stay safe

There are many questions in people’s minds now a days. Covid-19 cases are still increasing in our country day by day. The given current spread of Covid-19 have been issued to stay at home and not to step out until any emergency. Social distancing is a must, reduce interaction with other people. We are not safe without a mask and social distancing. Use hand sanitiser. Follow a proper diet and stay at home and stay safe.

Deepinder Kaur

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Prevention better than cure

No, it is not at all safe to discard the guidelines. Mask should be worn at all times whenever you step out of the house. Masks are not just for our own safety but also those whose lives are connected with ours. But people wear masks merely to escape from the fines and the police. Wearing mask every time in crowds helps to prevent many contagious diseases. Any rise in the number of Covid cases from carelessness of citizens will bring lockdowns again and the general public will suffer. So, it is better to wear masks and keep a bit of distance because prevention is better than cure.

Rashim Malhotra

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Vaccination process slow

No, it’s not at all safe to ignore the guidelines of Covid-19. It is commonly seen that the general public is roaming here and there without mask. Cases are still reported in the city and unfortunately vaccination process is very slow in our country and a costly affair for many. Proper guidelines have to be followed even after vaccination. Schools and colleges must be careful in following these guidelines. Industrial sites and construction sites must be watched carefully. Like earlier, duties must be assigned by the government for strict vigilance. Culprits should be heavily fined for violating norms of Covid-19.

Ritu Priya

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Tell others to follow norms

It is a very serious concern when we are reading reports of a surge of Covid cases again in Punjab. In the city, daily new cases are reported. The rise of cases of Covid-19 may be due to the laxity to follow the norms. When all establishments are opened, citizens begin ignoring norms. In some schools teachers are getting infections along with some students after opening up of schools. So, it is the duty of each citizen to follow these norms and must tell others to follow. Any factory, school, college or other concern be allowed only to open if they are having all infrastructure and other equipment which are necessary to follow the norms of Covid-19. We all must keep social distance, avoid to roam without any work in public places. Government must ban the unnecessary movements in the night hours. It must be mandatory for each citizen to wear a mask.

Farzana Khan

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Rising cases matter of grave concern

Again it is a matter of serious concern that the Punjab state is one of the states where the number of coronavirus cases are rising continuously once again. In the present circumstances, all citizens of Ludhiana city must follow the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government. Singapore is the only country where still people are wearing masks and with this they have controlled the spread of this virus. We all must keep social distancing and must keep handkerchiefs or tissue papers while sneezing or coughing in the public. In all schools, colleges and other social places people must follow the norms till each and every citizen is vaccinated. Local governments must take necessary steps and make citizens aware to follow the norms of Covid-19. Those who are not following must be fined heavily. We all must cooperate with the local government to control the further spread of this virus once again.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

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Boost immunity

The weather conditions are changing day by day. People may suffer from diseases such as common cold and stomach-related infections. Hence, due to weak immune system they will be more vulnerable to get infected by virus. People must follow the guidelines of Covid-19 as seriously as they did before. Masks and sanitisers should be used and social gatherings must be avoided or unless we will have to face a complete lockdown if situations are not handled now.

Amarpreet Kaur

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Raise awareness on social media

There is huge increase in Covid cases after the Unlock period, people have stopped following the guidelines that are to be followed, which is totally unsafe for them. People are being careless day by day. Even the well-educated people are not following the rules and norms, they are not understanding that these rules are made for their protection only. The government should take an immediate action on the issue. They can impose curfews and impose fine on people who are not following the rules. Also, people should be made aware through social media and other using other mediums that Covid-19 virus is not over, it’s still is very dangerous for everyone life, little carelessness can lead to their end. This can make a good impact and people may understand that following rules is still important and there life are in there own hand.

Gurleen Kaur

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Punish culprits

Covid-19 cases are increasing while life in social circles is being taken as almost normal with the opening of all kinds of businesses, markets, shops and cinema halls including schools for education of the children. However, there are reports about possibly further increase in the incidence of the disease. The increase in Covid-19 is essentially due to the fact that people have started taking it easy towards the pandemic and have stopped fearing it while not following the guidelines given by the authorities to keep a check on the spread of the disease. The low number of cases being reported at present may be due to the fact that testing was reduced and as a result, the number of new cases were not added. Also, new strains are appearing and are being reported from different countries including from the country and thus there is fear of further spread of the disease. To keep a control on the disease, the basic recommendations of frequent washing of hands with soap, social distancing at public gatherings and functions, going out of homes only if essential, and wearing a mask while going out must be followed by all. The culprits need to be checked and punished with a fine etc. Forcing the practice of lockdown by the authorities and thereby controlling the spread of the disease will adversely affect the businesses and economy of the country and can be postponed till the problem gets out of hands of the government.

Gautam Dev

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No compromise with safety measures

Safety measures to check the spread of Covid-19 cases again are as important as they were in 2020. The cases are increasing at an alarming pace, not only in Ludhiana but Punjab and some other states too. People have become complacent and stopped wearing masks, using sanitisers and maintaining physical distance thinking that Covid-19 has vanished into the blue. Such people are not only jeopardising their own health but are also super spreaders of the disease. In Ludhiana, big parties and get together have become a routine affair lately. The attitude is really dangerous and may give rise to an ugly situation soon once again. The district administration must check the worsening situation on the war footing and the pandemic rules violators must be challaned by the police. Those who have been vaccinated must also take all precautionary measures seriously.

Dr Sunil Chopra

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People hesitant to wear mask

Cases of Covid-19 have increased manifold making chances for a second wave of the pandemic. This has exposed our casual approach with regard to the safety guidelines. See any social, political or religious gathering, people are without masks and they do not follow the physical distancing at all. If some people are using masks at such gatherings, after watching others without masks, due to shame they too remove it. Forget about private offices, the Covid-19 guidelines are not even followed in the government offices. When the second wave seems to be on cards, we must not lower our guard. Time and again we are warned about it by the medical fraternity, but to no avail. There seems to be no harm in using masks and following physical distancing, but I do not know why people are hesitant to do so. It is high time that we all must follow the Covid-19 norms in spirit for our safety.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi