As I listen to the news of Prince Charles of Wales, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and others getting affected by Corona Virus, I am worried about my small Sikkim. More than 190 countries are fighting against this deadly virus that started in Wuhan, China at the beginning of January. We at Sikkim are blessed we don’t have any positive cases till now. On March 16, the state government came forward with a prominent decision to combat this pandemic disease.
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| At Shantinagar, Singtam |
A notification was issued of closing down of educational institutions along with those places of mass gathering including gyms, cinema halls, public gatherings, government meetings, melas, casinos, pubs, religious functions and others till April 15, 2020. A major step was taken when Sikkim banned the entry of domestic tourists. Thereafter series of more notification in passing days came to public notice mentioning every precautionary measures and announcement. The screening of visitors and travellers from the other states was started. Ban on entry of labourers into the State was also issued.
Prem Singh Golay, Chief Minister of Sikkim came forward and requested the people of Sikkim to avoid travelling beyond the state of Sikkim unless it was an emergency. From the five check posts, three was closed (Rambam, Reshi and Uttarey) only Rangpo and Melli was opened where medical checking facilities were made available.
The time came when Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation (March 19) and asked every Indian to join hand to fight against Corona Virus with a junta curfew on Sunday, March 22. A self-imposed curfew for every citizen of India from 7 am to 9 pm to break the corona virus chain from spreading further. In the evening, people were advised to clap their hand or ring a bell to honour those people who were doing their regular duties despite the disturbing news of the disease. Not in the history of India, a Prime Minister had addressed the nation twice in a week. Prime Minister Modi (March 24) came in front of national television and announced that India to go total lock-down for the next 21 days.
When I am writing this article total number of positive cases worldwide with corona virus so far is 597,262, death cases registered is 27,365 wherein Italy - 9,134, Spain - 5,138 and China - 3,295 are the top three most affected countries. Positively the recovered cases are something that gives relief and it is 133,363. In India too, the positive cases have raised to 887 with the death toll reaching 20. Villages, towns, cities and web pages are full of gossips and rumours. Rumours are given life from social media and I do agree there are fears among people of this virus.
China had announced its first death from the virus on January 11, followed by Thailand on January 13 who confirmed of the deceased had a visit history of Wuhan. Soon after some of the countries too announced corona virus-positive cases. Within no time WHO on January 30 announced this virus as a global emergency. On the same day, India too confirmed its first positive case.
Corona Virus is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 termed as SARS-CoV-2. This disease spreads through respiratory droplets through cough and sneeze and also through surface contaminated touching. The symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production, diarrhoea, and sore throat. It is said, the virus can live on surfaces up. The use to 72 hours. Use of masks is essentially suggested. Other than that hand wash, covering while sneezing is also a healthy sign.
Never did the two World Wars have taken such a huge toll on human lives. In the end, I just pray and wish this phase do pass by…very soon.
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