Oxygen crisis hits Maharashtra

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April 21, 2021

oxygen supply, oxygen, covid-19, covid, coronavirus, oxygen cylinders — Image Courtesy: Reuters

Navy hospital INHS Asvini at Colaba is stressed with a lack of oxygen supply. Oxygen suppliers are not able to meet the demand; many hospitals are sending their vehicles to oxygen suppliers and waiting in queues for hours and days.

The lack of oxygen has also hit one of the largest Army/Navy hospitals, where many aged and retired Army-Navy staff are undertaking COVID treatment at INHS Asvini. The state has never seen such a crisis and severe scarcity of oxygen cylinders.

A doctor from Mohit Hospital in Borivali told Afternoon Voice, “We send our vehicle almost every day to various oxygen companies, for our COVID-19 patients, but they return empty hand in spite waiting for one long day, the second day again they try their best.”

The shortage of oxygen to hospitals in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has hit not just private and civic centres, but also defence hospitals who have been standing in line outside manufacturing companies. There are restrictions and new rules but hospitals of state are struggling every day with one or the other challenges and the biggest crisis right now is Oxygen.

Maharashtra has added 62,097 new cases to its tally on Tuesday; Mumbai reported a slight dip, recording 7,214 new cases. At the state cabinet meeting, many ministers suggested the state push for a harder lockdown for another fortnight since the numbers were still rising.

The largest oxygen manufacturing company Phoenix Gas Limited in Turbhe saw dozens of trucks and mini tempos waiting outside to fill their oxygen cylinders.

Medical superintendent SP Kalantri at Kasturba Hospital in Wardha, Maharashtra said, “I am nervous about whether hospitals will have the capacity to provide enough oxygen to patients with COVID-19, we have 934-beds. The local administration has asked him to create 200 oxygen-beds by May, up from the 100 they had earlier requested”.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Director, Randeep Guleria at a press conference said, “Several of the patients can be saved by giving just one treatment, that is by giving them oxygen but right now even oxygen is out of supply and that is a matter of concern.”

“About fifteen per cent of all Covid-19 patients with “severe infection” will require oxygen while five per cent with “critical infection” will need a ventilator, the World Health Organization has said. The rest of the 80 per cent will be symptomless or mildly ill and will not need oxygen”, Guleria added.

Despite seeing 3,000 patients daily, on average, Kasturba Hospital does not have an oxygen tank on campus with piped liquid oxygen. Their regular supply of large oxygen cylinders comes by truck from a vendor about 50 km away. The cylinders are docked in an “oxygen bank” on their campus. The oxygen reaches wards and the intensive care unit via copper pipes.

Medical oxygen is supplied through several methods. In well-established set-ups, liquid oxygen is filled into large tanks built into the ground, then supplied via a network of pipelines that reach an output point on a wall near a patient’s bed.

Patients can be directly connected to the oxygen supply as and when required. Piped oxygen networks are more automated, reducing the chances of human error, but many medical establishments in India, especially those in smaller cities and towns, depending on cylinders. An adequate supply of cylinders is the biggest problem for medium, small and rural hospitals.

An unfortunate incident from Nashik took the lives of 22 COVID patients after an oxygen tanker leak

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Afternoon Voice

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April 21, 2021

nashik, tanker leakage, oxygen tanker, oxygen leakage, oxygen leak, nashik, maharashtra, amit shah, narendra modi — An unfortunate incident from Nashik took the lives of 22 COVID patients after an oxygen tanker leak 3

An unfortunate incident took lives of at least 22 people when an oxygen tanker leak incident at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Wednesday.

“It is an unfortunate incident. We are trying to get a detailed report. We have ordered an enquiry as well. Anyone found responsible will not be spared,” Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingane told media persons.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident as “terrible” and demanded an enquiry into the tragedy. “What happened in Nashik is terrible. I demand that the other patients be helped and shifted if needed. We demand a detailed enquiry,” he told a news agency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays condolences

PM Modi says the incident is heart-wrenching and he is anguished by the loss of lives.

“The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour,” PM Modi tweeted.

The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief

Amit Shah expressed deepest condolences to the family members of patients who lost their lives in the incident.

”I am distressed to hear the news of the accident of oxygen leak in a hospital in Nashik. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident.

”I pray to God for the speedy recovery of all the other patients,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.

नासिक के एक अस्पताल में ऑक्सिजन लीक होने से हुई दुर्घटना का समाचार सुन व्यथित हूँ। इस हादसे में जिन लोगों ने अपनों को खोया है उनकी इस अपूरणीय क्षति पर अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूँ। बाकी सभी मरीजों की कुशलता के लिए ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 21, 2021

An oxygen tanker leaked while tankers were being filled at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital here today. Officials were also present at the spot and an operation to contain the leak is underway. Several states are facing a shortage of medical oxygen, especially Maharashtra.

58,924 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, according to the state health ministry. As many as 52,412 people recovered in the said period and 351 died. The total case tally reached 38,98,262 while the death toll reached 60,824.

Youngsters to get vaccinated for COVID-19

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Vaidehi Taman

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April 20, 2021

dr harsh vardhan, harsh vardhan, covid-19, vaccination, covid vaccinaton, vaccine, covid-19, coronavirus, 18 years and above, vaccine for youngsters — Image Courtesy: Reuters

You must be thinking the news drive may bring a bit of change but there is nothing like that, Vaccinations are on and will continue as before in the government of India vaccination centres free of cost to the eligible population – healthcare and frontline workers and all people above 45 years of age. Right now, there are specific criteria for vaccination but slowly, the government is extending the range.

More people will be covered under the ongoing nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program, which started on January 16. There has been demand from all experts and states badly affected by the coronavirus disease. Amid the ongoing surge in the number of daily cases, leaders and chief ministers of Maharashtra and Delhi had urged PM Modi to relax the age restriction or administer the COVID-19 vaccine. From May 1, everyone above the age of 18 will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

India started the world’s largest vaccination drive with two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. Earlier this month, Russia’s Sputnik V was given emergency use authorization by India’s drug regulator. Under the third phase of the vaccination drive beginning next month, the vaccine manufacturers would supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the central government and would be free to supply the remaining 50 per cent doses to state governments and in the open market.

Manufacturers would have to make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to the state governments and in the open market before May 1, 2021. Based on this price, state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments, etc. would be able to procure vaccine doses from the manufacturers.

The government said procurement, eligibility, administration of coronavirus vaccines is being made flexible in Phase 3 of the world’s largest vaccination drive. COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have been incentivized to further scale up production; attract new national and international players.

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic back in March 2020, the virus has claimed millions of lives globally and that kept on increasing until 2021, the second wave was too brutal. Lack of infrastructure has crippled many lives.

The pandemic has wedged almost every corner of life, causing global economies to a kiosk, changing the way we work and interact with our loved ones, and stretching healthcare systems to the limit. Governments around the world have been forced to implement harsh restrictions on human activity to curb the spread of the virus.

1st May 2021: Vaccinations will be opened to all above 18-years of age

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Afternoon Voice

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April 20, 2021

covid-19, corona, covid, coronavirus, vaccination, vaccine, covid vaccine, pm modi, modi, vaccination for all, covisheild — Image Courtesy: AP

So far using two COVID vaccines – Serum Institute of India’s Covishield developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech made-in-India Covaxin India began immunizing people in January. As of now, the government has allowed vaccinations only for health workers, frontline workers and those above 45 in a centrally-controlled process.

In a new development, vaccination will be opened to all above 18 from May 1, the government on Monday announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of meetings over India’s response to record daily surges in COVID cases.

PM Modi emphasizes that vaccination was “the biggest weapon” in the fight against the coronavirus and urged doctors to encourage more and more patients to get vaccinated.

“The government has been working hard for over a year to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians can get the vaccine in the shortest possible time,” said the PM.

Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administering of vaccines will be flexible in the latest round of the world’s largest vaccination drive. All adults can get COVID shots and states can buy doses directly from vaccine-makers in the “relaxed and fast-tracked Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination, the government said, on a day the country reported 2.73 lakh new daily cases in the highest spike since the pandemic broke out a year ago.

In recent weeks, states like Maharashtra, Delhi and Punjab had called for opening up vaccinations and had also complained about running out of vaccine stocks. After the controversy, some news rules are set such as vaccine manufacturers will supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the central government and will be free to supply the remaining doses to state governments and in the open market.

Manufacturers will pronounce prices in advance for the vaccines supplied to state governments and in the open market. Based on this price, state governments, private hospitals, industrial establishments can buy vaccine doses from the manufacturers. Vaccinations at central government centres provided free of cost, will continue for those eligible currently – health workers, frontline workers and those above 45.

The centre will allocate vaccines from its share to states or union territories based on the number of cases. Vaccine wastage can affect the quota of a state. The second dose for those eligible currently will be a priority.

While vaccinations have been slow compared to the centre’s target, the country has clocked over two lakh cases daily in the past few days. Recently, the government fast-tracked approvals for foreign vaccines cleared in other countries.

There is unrest in Pakistan for fair re-election

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Vaidehi Taman

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April 19, 2021

imran khan pakistan — Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan | Image Courtesy: Agency

If unrest in Pakistan is seen as a civil war, then you should know the only civil war that is really raging is on the Media and the social media Community. Sure, they are facing various political/social/economic difficulties, but it is not something that they have never seen before. No nation is immune to protests and street shows, similarly, the major political parties in Pakistan are teaming up and protesting against the government for a “Fair Re-election”, it’s their right to do so, just like their current PM Imran Khan did.

Khan’s government has launched an anti-corruption campaign, this was premised on the basis that no forgiveness would be given to politicians or family relatives who benefitted from a politician’s benefaction, however, Khan’s opponents had criticized the anti-corruption campaign as political victimization of his opponents.

However, Khan’s supporters argued that this was an honest anti-corruption campaign as senior members of Khan’s ruling party faced investigation and/or prosecution too, such as Jahangir Khan Tareen and Aleem Khan. But in no case, they ever create a situation that’ll lead to a civil war.

But if you look at the larger picture of Pakistan, right from its creation, this country has not seen peace and will do so, given its dirty policies and war-mongering army generals, always engrossed in squandering aid money while the civilian govt is an impotent bystander. This being the scenario, it’s always some sort of struggle or strife in Pakistan at any given time. Civil war is like a way of life for the people of that country.

Khan became the first person in the history of Pakistan general elections who contested and won in all five constituencies, surpassing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who contested in four but won in three constituencies in 1970. In May 2018, Khan’s party announced a 100-day agenda for a possible future government. The agenda included sweeping reforms in almost all areas of government including the creation of a new province in Southern Punjab, fast-tracking of the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, betterment of law-and-order situation in Karachi, and betterment of relations with Baloch political leaders.

On 25 June 2020, Khan came under heavy criticism, both in the international press and from the domestic opposition, for calling al-Qaeda founder and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden a ‘martyr’, which critics argued connoted a sense of heroism and nobility in his death. A spokesman for Khan stated that any controversy around these remarks by Khan was “unwarranted”, suggesting the term wasn’t used to connote a sense of heroism as his critics argued.

Khan, on a previous occasion during a local television interview, had refused to call Bin Laden a terrorist. However, despite Khan’s fustian, his government has taken strict action against far-right Islamist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, which was outlawed as a terrorist group with the group’s accounts frozen and its leadership arrested under Khan’s government. Also, Khan has repeatedly condemned the Pakistani Taliban, including in December 2020 when the nation commemorated the sixth anniversary of the Peshawar school massacre.

Being a democracy, a political party is running the country and like all democracy’s opposition parties are trying to win a majority for the next election. This is what is happening in Pakistan. There is no military intervention, as opposition parties are openly criticizing the army and ruling party but no crackdown or force is being used. The first factor is the recent rallies of PDM (group of 11 political parties) in Gujranwala and other important regional places, in which all the parties showed a strong resistance to the Army’s indulgence in elections. Inflation is at its peak and even the basic needs cannot be sufficed. Everything from electricity bill and gas supply, from basic to other requirements, the debt became 107 percent of Pakistan’s GDP.

The latest issue arises due to the kidnapping of the commissioner of Sindh police, which is the second biggest police force in Pakistan after Punjab. He was harassed which led to the resignation of various police officers and others asking for leave. Political parties and their adherents voice reservations against each other, however, they are not complying with the agenda of foreign dictators. Moreover, Pakistan is treading on the path of democracy, so if the masses are sick of any govt’s policies, they hold protests against the government.

Therefore, keeping situations in view chances of civil war is not imminent. Civilian unrest is going on in Pakistan in which it may escalate so much that the very life of its PM would either be in danger or the whole administrative machinery would be in the hands of its Army. The Army would give free hand to the terrorists to unleash terror against India, to divert the attention of the public. Unlike nations such as Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan, Pakistan is relatively little stable because it has a huge military presence.

Pet parents of Mumbai are Panic; Govt should instruct rigid housing societies with new GR

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Afternoon Voice

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April 19, 2021

pet, covid-19, pet walking, dogs, dog walker, animals, lockdown, animals in lockdown, housing societies, cooperative housing societies, hsg, gr, bmc, brihanmumbai municipal corporation — Image Courtesy: Afternoon Voice / Akshay Redij

More than 25 per cent of households in Mumbai are estimated to own at least one pet. And, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s a feeling of isolation and anxiety in Pets.

Apoorv Kushwaha resident of Godrej Central in Chembur wrote a letter to MP Maneka Gandhi who is also an Animal Rights Activist and Environmentalist and to his society members regarding the SOPs which have been issued for Micro Containment and Containment zones. While representing lakhs of pet parents living in this city who are worried and confused about how the biological needs of their pets will be met if they are stuck in a micro-containment/containment zone.

He says, “Pets need walks for carrying out their daily essential biological tasks and also for their physical and mental wellbeing. They are also accustomed to performing their daily duties outside the house. In case they are not taken out for their walks, it impacts their health which may also entail intervention from a veterinary professional.”

Currently, co-operative societies have been given strict guidelines to prohibit any person moving in and out of the micro-containment / containment zone, and are also bound by an initial penalty of Rs 10,000 for violating the norms laid down by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Societies are suggesting to get professional help for walking the dog; however, a dog walker attracts a cost of Rs 8000-10,000 per month. The challenge with this solution is that the cost of a dog walker is not viable for the majority of the people, given the uncertainty in medical expenses people have gone conservative on cash spending.

The second challenge is that the city does not have enough dog walkers to cater to 100 per cent of the demand as these professionals are employed by just a small fraction of the total pet owners.

Apoorv further states, “I have referred to the order – Break the Chain, dated 13th April 2021, however, it does not specify any provision for this scenario and would require an intervention. Hence request authorities to please give us clarity on SOPs for pet owners residing in micro-containment/containment zones.”

We tried calling MP Maneka Gandhi, though her personal assistant refused to connect calls, added Apoorv.

“The BMC, SPCAs and other authorities must step in to do the needful and help the pet owners,” said the honorary district animal welfare officer, Mitesh Jain.

Karuna Parivar Trust’s, trustee Bhavin Ganthani told Afternoon Voice, “People may not be aware of the new GR (General Regulations), it says if you are a pet caretaker or a pet owner you can take your pet out for its routine. You can even feed the stray animals. Each cooperative housing society should be provided with this GR to avoid inconvenience to pet owners and caretakers”.

He also said, “If a society is not allowing it, police can help these pet caretakers to resolve their issues.”

Vaidehi Rele Lal, a well-known Bharat Natyam Performer says, “Dogs are getting tremendously affected by the stringent micro containment rules. If the house is COVID safe and without a case along with proper precautions the pet parent should be allowed to go down and relieve the fur babies, being a pet parent of three beautiful Indian doggies I know the importance of having a regular walk session and its emotional effect on my babies.”

“I also feed strays in my area; hence allowance to freely move and feed the strays who depend on the feeders without creating any hindrance should be rather encouraged especially during such a heatwave where animals also feel depressed or oppressed due to sudden change in the environment,” Vaidehi further added.

Mhalvika Shetty a bank employee said, “In my opinion, not taking our pets for a walk or pee is not right. Some of the pets are trained not to pee/poop in the house and they won’t do it. If a pet won’t pee/poop for a day it might cause some serious health issues. At least the pet owners should be allowed to let their pet step out of the house at least for some limited time. Making the pets pee/poop in the house is very difficult. Let the pet owners take proper precautions and take their pets for a walk or pee for some time; it won’t cause much of a problem. Let’s not make pets’ lives difficult.”

Pranali Kanade, a working woman and a Dog mom said, “When the entire building is sealed, the owners of the pet suffer a lot. For instance, my building got sealed and we are not allowed to take our pets out. My dog is trained to poop outside the building, not just mine, but a lot of pet dogs that I know are trained to do so. The authority should at least excuse the dog owners for this matter.”

Manish Sharma, an IT professional from Mumbai having many pets at home finds it very depressing to lockdown, he said, “I am going into depression looking at my pets’ miserable condition, we humans at least have TV, mobile and other things to entertain us but they don’t. Going out, taking walks, greeting their common friends, and attending nature’s call is their routine. Pets are equally emotional; our government is insensitive and the co-operative societies are one big bunch of mindless people.”

“Restrictions over taking out pets are total crap. No pet owners take their pets along with all the family members for a stroll. As such social distance is maintained when a pet accompanies because other pets don’t like a guest animal near them. We should ask authorities “Who would be responsible for the health issues cropping up if the pets’ poop and pee in the house?” says Ashwin Mane, a pet owner.

Remdesivir: The COVID vaccine has become a new political tool

By

Vaidehi Taman

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April 18, 2021

devendra fadnavis, fadnavis, remdesivir, vaccines, maharashtra, bjp, opposition party, bharatiya janata party, fadnavis, remdesivir injection, covid-19, coronavirus — Remdesivir: The COVID vaccine has become a new political tool 18

Now the citizens of India are aware of the double the standard ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP has always been talking about United India but now they are dividing India for their political benefit and declaring that all the citizens of Bihar will get the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost and Bihar will be given preference as the first state to get vaccines, because elections were a priority there.

Later on, when the second wave of COVID sprung, they declared a free distribution of Remdesivir to attract the support of people of those states where elections are going on. As they lost power in Maharashtra on a humiliating note, they are depriving the state of adequate infrastructure to battle COVID-19.

The central government has asked states to allow COVID vaccines to be administered at offices with about 100 workers who are 45 years of age or older and are willing to take the shot. The vaccination was supposed to begin on 11 April at both government and private offices, the central government but due to PM Modi’s election campaign in West Bengal, other states are just ignored with the supply of vaccines.

There are 29 states in India and our constitution provides equality and it is the fundamental right of every citizen of India. Then how the government is declaring who will be given the first preference for the vaccine.

Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other BJP ruled states are stoking the vaccines in their party offices, whereas other non-BJP ruled states are suffering due to lack of supply.

On the other hand, in the middle of the vaccine shortage row, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has urged the Centre to formulate criteria for allotment of COVID-19 vaccines by taking into consideration factors like population and number of active coronavirus cases of a particular state. He alleged that many states, which are smaller than Maharashtra in terms of population and the number of patients, have received more doses.

Even though it’s still possible to control the spread of COVID-19 through very rigorous testing, contact tracing, and quarantining of infected patients, these are still not very effective if we are to significantly reduce the threat of the disease yet.

We also need to not only break the chain of transmission but also make sure that people get long-term protection once they are infected. This is also one of the greatest challenges that scientists have to grapple with right now. There is still no harmony on how long the body’s protective immunity lasts.

The BJP or union government can’t decide whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be given without cost or there will be some cost, it will be decided by the state government. BJP is simply saying that if voted to power, whenever the vaccine will come they will distribute it without cost.

Our economy and international trade depend on a healthy population worldwide. While the world is suffering from this plague our economies have become vulnerable to all sorts of disruptions, shortages, failed policies and promises by ignorant leaders, religious leaders wasting our time by praying for miracles and pointless disregard for science and facts, and conspiracy theories have drowned good sense with lies, innuendos.

So we must get back on track by making our citizens immune to this disease. The only way to do that is by mandating vaccination of the entire population (with obvious medical exemption when necessary). We can never achieve the so-called herd immunity for several reasons that are tangent issues.

The government and the Centre have been blaming each other over the crisis of vaccination in the state. Maharashtra was given a total of 1 crore vaccines by the Central government and after administering millions of doses, the state started suffering a shortage following which it demanded more vaccines.

As of April 9, around 2,72,421 people took jabs out of which 2,38,386 people took their first dose who were above the age of 45 while in the same category 15,819 beneficiaries took their second dose. A COVID-19 vaccine is really important at this time because there will always be a risk of new disease outbreaks.

Maharashtra, with a population of over 12 crores, accounts for 60 per cent of the total number of active cases in the country. The number is more because testing has been increased substantially; the state has mobilized its capacity to administer six lakh doses daily, so they need vaccines in a similar proportion.

Mumbai police questioned a pharma company director over alleged excess stock of the Remdesivir drug and allowed him to leave after he produced necessary documents. The opposition party BJP in Maharashtra objected to the pharma executive’s grilling by Mumbai police, saying the Shiv Sena-led government in the state was playing politics amid the pandemic.

The BJP leader claimed that a Maharashtra minister’s officer on special duty called the pharma executive and asked him how he could provide Remdesivir on the appeal of opposition parties. The pharma executive was picked up from his house by 10 policemen.

The Leader of Opposition said, “The state government was harassing the Daman-based pharma as BJP leaders approached him for the supply of the antiviral medication to the state. No one knows the reality but one thing is sure that the Remdesivir has become a purely political tool and no one is bothered about the common public and their lives.”

BJP hoarding Remdesivir while people in Maharashtra are dying due to shortage

By

Afternoon Voice

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April 18, 2021

remdesivir, bjp, devendra fadnavis, fadnavis, bjp remdesivir, prasad lad, pravin darekar, baruck pharma, bruck pharma, gujarat, daman, vile parle police, preeti sharma menon, nawab malik, aap, maharashtra, vaccines, covid-19, coronavirus — BJP hoarding Remdesivir while people in Maharashtra are dying due to shortage 20

The former chief minister and leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis claimed that BJP leader Prasad Lad went to Daman on behalf of the BJP and met the director of Bruck Pharma. He used their Central government to give the exporter permission to sell locally and then the BJP purchased the stock of Remdesivir from Bruck Pharma.

Saket Gokhale, a transparency activist tweeted in series while exposing the BJP stated that “Last night (Saturday), Vile Parle police station in Mumbai seized 4.75 crores worth of Remdesivir vials that were being secretly moved by a Gujarat company. Suddenly Devendra Fadnavis shows up at the police station late at night and says BJP ordered those vials from Daman & Gujarat.”

He further stated, “It is shameful that the Modi govt is throttling supplies of Remdesivir to Maharashtra Govt while sneakily allowing Fadnavis & BJP to distribute it through their party office. This is politics of the filthiest kind where BJP is playing with the lives of innocent people.”

Whereas NCP leader Nawab Malik said that, “If the vaccination certificates carry PM Narendra Modi’s photo, then the death certificates of the COVID victims should also carry his image.”

“He said it is sad & shocking that when the Government of Maharashtra asked the 16 export companies for Remdesivir, we were told that Central Government has asked them not to supply the medicine to Maharashtra. These companies were warned, if they did, their license will be cancelled,” Malik further added.

Formal Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra Mahesh Zagade questions Pharma companies, he said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is worth about Rs 3 lakh crore and benefits the members of OPPI, IDMA and AIOCD. Where are those institutions in this Corona crisis?”

Political parties are registered with the Election Commission, and not Charity Commissioner. It is illegal for a political party to buy drugs, medicines or any other articles for donation. The shroud of charity can easily be used to bribe citizens hence our Constitution and Representation of the People Act 1951 have explicitly stated that political parties cannot do charity.

“Devendra Fadnavis is openly stating that BJP bought Remdesivir for charity, hence immediate action must be taken against him, BJP and their office bearers for this illegal act. Secondly, seeing the cheap politics being played out by BJP against opposition states it is not beyond imagination that the purpose of buying this large quantity of stock was for hoarding and denying it to citizens. This act is tantamount to murder and we demand that the Chief Minister investigate this action fairly and publicly,” said AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon.

“All TV channels have broadcasted videos of Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders browbeating police officers and thwarting an investigation. Had any common citizen done that then they would be charged with IPC Section 353 and thrown behind bars.”

“Why were BJP leaders treated with so much deference while common citizens are threatened by the police. Earlier this year I tried to meet DCP Upadhyay, he made me wait, then his office demanded I leave my cell phone out and when I refused, he did not let me enter his office. I had complained to the Commissioner but no action was taken. But here BJP leaders are seen recording the meeting on their phones! Why does Mumbai Police not treat all citizens equally?” Menon further added.

“The AAP Mumbai team demands action be taken against BJP for indulging in hoarding and breaking the law by indulging in illegal charity”, said Preeti Sharma Menon.

“Fadnavis later claimed that the BJP bought that stock to distribute to people. How did a private individual like Fadnavis procure Remdesivir stock from Gujarat when the sale is allowed only to the government?” stated Menon.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis addressing the media at Vile Parle police station.

The second wave of the corona is not only scary but also disturbing

By

Vaidehi Taman

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April 16, 2021

covid-19, coronavirus, second wave, second wave of corona, corona, covid, coronavirus — The second wave of the corona is not only scary but also disturbing 22

The second-ware of COVID-19 is nothing more than an outbreak since we have yet to settle on the actual incubation period. For some it’s two weeks, some have been 48 hours. We don’t know the effective combating of each person before the virus becomes active and infectious.

Some people have partial immunity, as the person may be able to fight off the virus but never develop total immunity and it may sooner or later overcome the person’s natural resistance. An asymptomatic person is immune but some can still infect others while others don’t.

It is safe to speculate that the COVID-19 virus will be a health concern until the population becomes adequately immune with a preventive vaccination on booster shots yet to be determined. I have seen people in grocery stores shopkeepers using surgical type gloves putting rations in their bags, checking out and even using gloves to load and unload their cars.

What happens after they store them in their cabinets, refrigerators and freezers? They never think about using gloves to get back the groceries for cooking. Many forget to disinfect steering wheels, door handles, gear shifts. Any virus will keep transmitting to different persons as long as targets are remaining and the weather conditions are suitable for its survival in transit.

There are so many ways of being infected most people don’t even think about, especially in apartment buildings. No one can be protected 24/7 because it isn’t in our nature. The second wave of the coronavirus sent shock waves across India. This could be “The Big One” compared to the mild spring wave.

Judging by the sudden surge in the number of cases, this could become very serious. The peak of the wave can be observed with infection control measures (social distancing rules) or sufficient immunity in the community to drive the simulation factor. The epidemic will then start bisecting rather than doubling as time passes. People will relax their guard and a third wave will start.

It will end when a majority of the population are resistant or immune. This may be because they got infected and recovered. This may be because we developed a vaccine and they got vaccinated. Corona won’t go away until a vaccine is found so we have to live with it.

We have no good data. However, SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a relatively stable virus, COVID is in contrast to influenza viruses. It transmits efficiently but unlike SARS-CoV-1 (10 per cent) and MERS seems to have a low case fatality rate of about 0.3 per cent. So, we get more cases but fewer deaths. This results in more people becoming immune but also enables the virus to maintain a presence in the population.

Many countries have gone for some form of lockdown or social distancing to reduce spread. This has the effect of maintaining the pool of susceptible people. So, when the measures are relaxed more cases emerge. Experience with other stable viruses suggests that there will be a cycle of small epidemics until a large population is vaccinated.

The first wave, of this novel coronavirus, causing COVID-19 the deadly disease apparent after, several people were infected, thus creating spreader effects, when many were not aware of it, had no or minimal symptoms, with most politicians, aka governments, failing to respond to what was predictable, and urgent. Governments had failed to implement emergency plans for obtaining stocks of PP kits, masks, and ventilators etc, based on the previous coronavirus epidemic.

The second strain was detected in the UK. The UK shut all of its borders down. However, the second strain did make it over to less than 20 people and a few states in the US. The higher rates were detected in California. The second strain has been detected in Texas, Pennsylvania and a few other US states. From there it reached India too.

In my opinion, all the international travel should have been shut down as well. People would stop being in denial and take this pandemic more seriously. However, a vaccine is a positive sign for the future against COVID-19 and its mutations. Viruses normally mutate to find a host to stay alive.

A second wave happens when a first “wave” begins to slow down making the number of cases to reduce a lot, in these conditions many officials and people start to relax the rules and start meeting with other people, eating outside, partying, and being reckless.

In these situations, the numbers started growing again because people got infected by the carriers. Because the virus growth is exponential very weakly what looked like the end of the pandemic might be the start of the worst part of the pandemic till that point. This is why it is essential to keep the rules in check for a while after the last known case of the disease is found.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

COVID-19: Delhi LG Baijal directs officers to set up helplines informing availability of beds

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Afternoon Voice

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April 16, 2021

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In the wake of an exponential rise in coronavirus cases in Delhi, Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday directed officers to set up helplines that inform the availability of beds in hospitals besides establishing help desks to assist patients and attendants, an official said.

Baijal, who reviewed the enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour, said that concerted and coordinated efforts are required from all agencies and stakeholders to contain the surge of coronavirus in the national capital.

The lieutenant governor also directed officers to ensure aggressive deployment and enforcement in areas in peak hours.

”The LG asked Chief Secretary Vijay Dev to ensure the setting up of helplines that inform the availability of beds in hospitals apart from displaying the same on government portals. He also directed to set up help desks to assist patients and attendants in every hospital,” the official said.

As the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate continue to rise in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday had announced a curfew this weekend and the closure of malls, gymnasiums and auditoriums till April 30 as part of sweeping restrictions to break the chain of the infection.

Delhi recorded 16,699 COVID-19 cases and 112 fatalities on Thursday, according to the health department.

The positivity rate soared to 20.22 percent, the highest to date in Delhi.

The city had registered 17,282 new infections on Wednesday, its highest single-day spike to date. The number of cases has been on an upward spiral in the past few days.