‘Lockdown’, ‘Quarantine’ and ‘Social Distancing’ all these were words Indians never used in their daily life. Even washing hands clean with soap for every 1 hour was not thought to be required before March 24, 2020. Everything changed after that when PM announced about the 21 days lockdown (which has been extended again)
Coimbatore like the rest of the country and world had to take a break to break the Virus infection, that is now called COVID-19.
The busy city roads, the highway and newly opened flyover that saw bikes and cars cruise became deserted. Offices have to announce ‘work-from-home’. Public transport was shut. Schools were closed. The flavors of life we find on Sundays – People shopping at the jewellery and Textiles on Cross Cut road vanished. Malls were casual hangouts took place went out of place. Weekend dining at Restaurants, whistle in theaters disappeared with the movies. Places of Worship too had to be avoided.
When every individual had to be kept safe in this lockdown period, the Government, Medics and Cops had to be wide-awake and alert 24/7. Life was certainly different for different people during these last 30 days.
Industry-An unexpected turn of events
Industries could not run their operation for an entire month and more. A joint-council of industry associations in Coimbatore announced in a press meet on mid-April that small business and MSMEs had no cash in hand to pay their employees. V.Lakshminarayanaswamy, President, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that MSMEs don’t have proper cash-flow at this point of time. With some sources the salary for the month of March was paid for the workers. The owners of various MSMEs now stand with empty pockets due to the lockdown. Their only hope remains with the Govt and Banks but help seems afar!, he said during the press meet.
The associations’ members also said that when the lockdown is lifted and railway services and public transport are started, the migrant labours and employees have high chance to immediately make a move to their hometown. This will result in shortage of man-power and the production will also be lower. They fear that it will take another 4 to 5 months minimum to recover from this tragedy.
On the positive side, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet PM Modi on Friday (24.4.2020) to finalise on a second stimulus package for industry, and it will be aimed at helping the MSMEs and other worst affected sectors.
Education – Awaiting for the reopening
March is the month of exams and April is the time for new admissions in schools and colleges. But this year, thanks to Corona that scenario is absent. Without writing exams students till 9th std got passed but cant go to school so soon.
On the other side, Karthikayani Murugan, Clinical Pyschologist, KMCH says that lockdown will certainly cause stress among the students who prepared for their board exams, entrance exams like NEET and even college students who prepared to finish their final year semester exams and pursue their higher studies in foreign universities. This includes those who prepared for recruitment exams too.
There is a big uncertainty when the lockdown will be lifted and normalcy will return in education sector. Students who are slow learners will be the most affected as they need constant attention to clear their exams. The lockdown, if not properly utilized to learn, relearn and revise, may affect their grades. Even after the lifting of lockdown, the usual schedule will have to calibrated to fit to the time.
Healthcare professionals- facing occupational hazards & beyond
Medical fraternity has maintained its functioning like it does always – thoroughly dedicated. Doctors, Nurses and Medical staff have been by our side to support and help the society win COVID-19. But they had had the toughest time in the recent days. Dr.Zakiya Sayed went to Ranipura, Indore-Madhya Pradesh on April 1,2020 to check on those who were suspected of having Covid-19. She and her colleagues where beaten by the mob and were chased away. Braving the attack, Dr.Zakiya said “we sustained injuries but we have to do our job and will not be scared”. She still goes to work.
Dr.Sanjibani, a doctor in Government run civil hospital in Surat, Gujarat was harassed when she was approaching her flat after finishing work. Men made fun of her, claiming that she carries virus. They denied her entrance into her flat and even assaulted her. Dr.Sanjibani was bold and filed for a police complaint and informed the local MLA. Now the rogues have shut their atrocities down.
Many doctors were evicted from their rented houses by their landlords because of rumours and fears that doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients may spread infection. Resident Doctor’s Association, AIIMS, New Delhi wrote to Home Minster Amit Shah stating such cases in the country and asked him to issue an order that doctors should not be forced to leave their rented houses or apartments.
I need not say what happened to the family of Dr.Simon Hercules, MD of New Hope Hospital in Chennai. Entire nation read about the tragic incident. Doctors face a lot of risk. Wearing that PPE, testing patients, spending the entire night are all not pleasurable experience. But everyone in the hospital- from Medical professionals to administrative staff, security guards all function as one for our betterment and they risk their lives for us but some are yet to learn Doctors and Healthcare professionals’ nobility.
Government & Police – Around the clock 24/7
The police officials’ dedication needs our applause. In every major area in the city, we could find minimum 5 police officials, bearing the Sun and braving corona to be there in order to ensure no one from the Public travels unnecessarily risking their health. This period could also be a favorable time for theft and violence but the city police made sure no act of theft,violence or arson took place. Videos of policemen advicing people to follow social distancing, providing masks to travellers and suggesting them to stay home has all showed us their soft side.
Tamil Nadu Government on the other hand has stepped up to the occasion. They have well managed this situation and kept the impact to the least level possible. Minister S.P.Velumani visited Coimbatore repeatedly, and inquired the status in the District from the District and Corporation Administration. He advised about the next stage of activities, encouraged philanthropy, conducted surprise visits to Ration shops, oversaw maintenance of sanitation in various areas of the district, ensured that sufficient allocation of beds and isolation wards in COVID-19 hospitals are kept ready.
The Common Man – Quite safe if stayed at home
Thanks to the Government, we now have essential shops open from 6 a.m.to 1 p.m. For those with funds in hand, life at this period is not so difficult. As long as food is on the plate, troubles stay out. For many of us, this period has been the occasion to bond with family. ‘Work-from-Home’ is for the private company employees. For the one’s running their own business- small or big, it is a headache to manage funds but they are helping their employees in ways they can.
For the financially weaker section, the assistance plan from Tamil Nadu Government will provide them the help they need. People having ‘rice’ ration card are being given Rs.1000 and free groceries during this period, and it is now extended too. The Govt has also announced that the Amma Canteens will provide free food till Lockdown’s end and expenses will be borne by AIADMK District Party. For electricity, the previous billing cycle’s amount was announced as the base for assessment. Biggest challenge for the common folks is at paying rent for their house. While some landlords give generous grace-times, some don’t. However for the migrant labours, the Govt is behind them and has instructed the landlords to not ask for rent for 1 month. This could give them space to breathe.
What next?
You may ask, how long should we have to stay in? Even as you read this sentence, inventions and Research to defeat Coronavirus is going on in our very own Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University has developed a viable vaccine for Covid-19 using a technique called Reverse Virology. Anna University has made AU-Sanitizer ; an indigenous sanitizer that could destroy the nucleic acid of the virus. Indian ventilator makers are making 5,500 to 5,750 ventilators from now. They have made alliance with Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Hyundai etc to increase the production to 50,000 ventilators per month by end of May, 2020.
Charity and Confidence is something that is always in humanity. Charitable Trusts in Coimbatore have provided Lakhs and Crores to the Tamil Nadu CM’s Public Relief Fund to feed the hungry and needy. Some have expressed interest to provide their hospitals for COVID-19 treatment. One centralized kitchen in the city make meals for 20,000 people a day, while another 15,000. Social Welfare activists are providing Grocery kits to the underprivileged and differently abled. Thousands of poor are being fed daily.
Doctors despite their injuries, insults and even after knowing that they risk their safety are still coming to work. Teachers are conducting online classes for students using digital media. Police officials are keeping the community safe. Your region’s sanitation worker, newspaper deliverer, grocery shopkeepers, milk sellers, pharmacists are all there to serve you. The Government is taking all measures.
All that is needed to kill Coronavirus is your Cooperation. Few more days.