CORONA: KERALA PAYS FOR INDIVIDUAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

STATE BATTLING HARD TO RECOVER FROM SETBACK
It may sound a bit hyperbolic. But it is shockingly true.

Shockingly irresponsible conduct of a few individuals has caused a huge setback to Kerala’s efforts to control the dreaded corona virus. But the Government is battling hard to recover from the unexpected blow, and it seems to be succeeding.

The State’s initial success in containing the virus – the first three cases had been reported from the State – had earned praise not only at the national level but also internationally. The BBC, for instance, lavished praise on the Kerala Government’s efforts to tackle the threat to humanity.

But all the good work done by the State suffered a setback because of the irresponsible conduct of a family which returned from Italy, one of the countries to be hit hard by the dreaded virus. Nor did they fill up a form they are required to returned to India from Italy.

Trouble started when a family of three arrived at the International airport in Kochi on February 29 from Italy via Doha in Qatar. They skipped the mandatory health screening at the airport. Nor did they fill up a form which they are supposed to do before leaving the airport.

This itself was extremely irresponsible conduct. What was even more shocking was that from the next day, they had been moving about and meeting relatives. The couple’s son interacted with his friends, too. It was only on Friday, March 6 – seven days after their arrival – that they informed the health workers about their travel history. And that too, after the two infected relatives, admitted to a private hospital that morning, informed doctors about their arrival from Italy.

According to Kerala’s Health Minister K K Shailaja, they were not ready to move to hospital although their relatives developed symptoms of infection. They have neglected all the directions of the health staff on the plea that they had no health issues!

The five, who belong to Ranni in Pathanamthitta district, have been isolated since Friday. The condition of the couple’s parents, aged 91 and 89, had turned serious. But now all the five are said to be stable. So far, 150 of the couple’s primary contacts have been identified. Efforts are on to locate their secondary and even tertiary contacts.

The health staff are leaving nothing to chance. The immediate objective is to minimise, if not undo, the damage caused b y the irresponsible conduct of the couple who came from Italy. And they seem to be succeeding in their efforts. No word of praise is too high for their exemplary work in trying to prevent the spread of the virus.

On its part, the Kerala Government has announced several restrictions including the closure of all educational institutions and cinema halls till March 31. However, final exams of the higher classes would be held as scheduled..

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed that temple and church festivals which witness huge gatherings, should be avoided. But rituals can be conducted in a low key manner. Likewise, while rituals could be conducted at Sabarimala, which is set to reopen on March 13, devotees have been told to avoid gathering there. All Government-related functions have also been postponed.

Of the eight new cases reported in the State, six are primary contacts of the Italy-returned family and their son. The parents of a three-year-old boy who tested positive on Monday have also tested positive. They had reached Kochi on March 7.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking withdrawal of a circular issued b y the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) which said that those coming from Italy or Korea would have to furnish certificates of having tested negative for Covid-19.

Both the CM and the health Minister who are leading from the front have also warned that failure to report cases of infection will be treated as a ‘crime’. And, if necessary, the help of police would also be sought to identify those who fail to report. It is only with the total cooperation of the people that the dreaded virus can be contained.

The State Government has pulled out all the stops to tackle the scourge. This is a battle which must be won at any cost.

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