The manner in which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been merrily oscillating on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), it seems he has lost his way in leading the State in its battle against that viciousCorona virus. The SOP has been tweaked for the seventh time in the last two months which only exposes the government’s lack of proper application of mind. Over the last two months the infrastruture had to be put in place to deal with the pandemic. It is incumbent that every person entering Goa must be mandatorilytested unless he produces a negative Covid certificate issued by an ICMR recognized lab.
Now with the surge in cases over the last week and with the COVID hospital filled up to the brim the government seems to be in a quandary while it is unprepared to deal with the current crisis due to its sheer apathy. Right now, the health and well-being of Goans must be the one and only priority. Mining, malls, economy etc can wait.If health is lost all is lost. There is a need for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to act and speak very responsibly and not end up as a laughing stock. Three weeks ago on the very day Health Minister Vishwajit Rane stated that all should use a mask, he was publicly contradicted by his Chief Minster who claimed that use of masks was not necessary. This erodes public trust and confusion. Mixed messages leads to chaos and is a recipe for disaster. The BJP needs to look beyond the party in this combat against the virus. It is good that the Opposition in Goa has united. Amongst the current 40 MLAs in the given circumstances Digambar Kamat is the most experienced, active, mature and very practical whose input and guidance the government should gracefully avail in this time of crisis. Making policy on the hoof is not the answer nor is tinkering of established protocols, based on professional and scientific advice and research that seem to work in many countries if strictly adhered to. This destructive pandemic which is still an unknown force has proved all too often to be beyond the realms of Ayurvedic medicine or afew privileged politicians. The escalating spread of the virus demands a united national effort, a transparent involvement, acceptance, and support of leaders irrespective of political bias and of all the people. The planning and rigorous implementation of procedures to stay safe will save lives providing they are robust, resilient and of the highest quality. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
