One good news that came in recent times is, now we all can read our beloved newspaper without fear. Newspapers are Safe from Coronavirus stated World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO report also confirmed that newspapers and other reading material are safe from COVID-19. The probability of an infected person infecting commercial goods is low and therefore the risk of contracting COVID-19 through newsprint is unlikely. World Health Organization (WHO) in its detailed report, has confirmed that Coronavirus (COVID-19) cannot reach in human body from printed newspapers and magazines.
Getting magazine, novel or newsprint is safe and there is no study found these material being career of COVID-19. The WHO has advised precautions measures such as washing hands repeatedly, is essential to preventing the spread of disease in any circumstance. However, it is also impossible that newspapers may contain Coronavirus during printings or distributions.
The Newspapers publishers have welcomed the decision of WHO. After following the guidelines, even concerned authorities who not only ensured the distributions of the newspapers during lockdown but also brings this newspaper industry as ‘Essential Services’ in India. It also asked the management of newspapers and hawkers to adopt preventive measures including washing hands, etc. for the protection of their readers from this pandemic.
President of Patrakar Vikas Parishad, Ajay Maheshwari told Afternoon Voice that, “In this era of commercialization of news, only newspapers are honest circulators of News, the authenticity is worthwhile. I am happy that the newsprint has hit the stalls again but as responsible members even publishers and owners need to take care of their staff safety by providing them hygienic work atmosphere”.
Newspaper Association of India’s President, Vipin Gaur said, “That a large number of people trust on print media and newspapers. In a way that is their morning addiction. At this grave time, the newspapers and media are fulfilling their responsibilities by providing true and correct information to the general public. There need for sovereign, provable news and information is more important than ever during the coronavirus crisis”.
Manchester United’s midfielder Nemanja Matic reckons that in the coming ten years Scott McTominay will become an important member of the side.
The Serbian also went on to praise his fellow midfielder’s attitude and said McTominay has got everything to become an important member of the side.
“We are always talking, especially when he started to play in the first team, but now he’s a proper senior player he plays like he’s had 10 years in the first team,” Manchester United’s official website quoted Matic as saying.
“I think he will be a very important player for Manchester United in the next 10 years or more. He is the kind of player and person that you always want to have in the changing room,” he added.
McTominay has made a massive impact on his return to Manchester United as he went on score against Club Brugge and Manchesrer City.
“He’s very professional, with a lot of quality in the legs. His mentality is what Manchester United needs to have, so I think that with any coach, in any club he will fit very well,” Matic said.
“I’m happy for him and United that they have a player like that in the team. He just needs to continue how he’s been working until now and I’m sure he will be one of the Manchester United legends one day,” he added.
Manchester United managed to move to the fifth spot in the Premier League standings with 45 points from 29 matches.
However, the Premier League has been suspended until at least April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
People who attended the congregation in Nizamuddin walk to board a bus for a hospital on Tuesday with a police drone above them. / PTI
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said that a total of 2,361 people have been brought out from Markaz, Nizamuddin in a joint operation by authorities which lasted 36 hours.
“In the last 36 hours, we have run a very extensive operation in coordination with medical authorities, police, DTC, and others which went on till 4 am today. A total of 2,361 have been brought out from there, out of those 617 have been sent to hospitals while the rest have been sent to different quarantine facilities,” Sisodia told ANI .
A huge religious gathering was held at the Markaz building in Nizamuddin between March 13-15 violating lockdown conditions. On Tuesday, after 24 people who attended the Markaz event in Nizamuddin were tested positive for coronavirus.
“I thank the administration and medical teams and all others who took part in this operation despite knowing that COVID-19 positive cases might be present there,” he added.
The Deputy CM further said a list of phone numbers of all the people brought out from the spot has been handed over to the police and the cyber cell will trace the people they contacted over the past few days.
Urging others who attended the event at Markaz in March to come forward and approach the health authorities on their own, Sisodia said, “All of you should come forward and report to the health authorities. If you try to hide your illness from the administration then action will be taken against you.”
A FIR has been registered against Tablighi Jamaat head Maulana Saad and others under the Epidemic Disease Act 1897.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced that he will contribute his one year’s salary to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in a bid to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
The Chief Minister has also appealed to the citizens to do their bit and contribute in whatever capacity possible to help the state in fighting the pandemic, informed the Chief Minister’s Office.
It is a very difficult time that we are all going through. And it is important that we fight this epidemic together. Personally, I am donating my one year's salary to the #CMRF Covid19. I request you all to contribute, however small, and help #Karnataka fight #Corona. Thank you pic.twitter.com/15jwrk1Ixz
Earlier, the Chief Minister had appealed to the people for contributing to the Chief Minister Relief Fund to help the state to fight against the coronavirus.
Visitors wear masks as prevention against coronavirus, at Charminar in Hyderabad, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (PTI Photo)
This refers to video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL8OWY6KVIk) by Faizan Mustafa the former Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India on legal issues involved about problem of huge crowded exodus and resultant sufferings of migrant workers & others due to Coronavirus caused all-India lockdown, without proper preparations, inflicted by Government.
Faizan knows that ‘Bhay Bin Hoy Na Preeti‘ (without fear there is no love). Hence Governments will care for the people only when they have a fear of prosecution in case of the criminal negligence by public servants. Therefore through your esteemed media Faizan (as a Law-academician engaged in a mission of educating the people about their rights) is requested to further enlighten the people (through another video or otherwise) in which legal points may be discussed that the Supreme Court of India (SCI) can be moved by the people under Article 32 of the Constitution to question the Governments of Union & States that how they have allowed the crowded migration of the people within and through and to other States from metros / big cities all over India, especially when it is against the policy of social-distancing [the main cause of lock-down (in order to stop the spread of infection / Coronavirus) at the cost of immense hardship to the people which otherwise is in utter violation of their enforceable fundamental / human rights of livelihood under Article 21 of the Constitution].
In case, if Coronavirus spreads in rural India due to these migrant workers and if in such unfortunate scenario some highly likely deaths happen in rural India due to these illegally-allowed crowded migrations then Faizan can further enlighten the people that another petition can be filed in SCI with a prayer to book criminal cases under section 304-A of IPC against functionaries of Union & State governments (responsible for allowing, by acts of omission, the said illegal crowded migration) for death due to their rash & negligent acts . This petition in SCI will ensure that either Governments will not inflict such reckless lock-downs in future or will do it with proper preparations.
Here it is in context to add that the SCI has been taking suo-motto cognizance of matters important in wider public interest hence it will be in order if the SCI takes suo-motto cognizance of this matter in the interest of providing justice & succour to ~ 1.37 billion people of India.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The narrow streets and alleys of Kamathipura and Pila House well-known Red Light areas, normally packed with tourists, male members and people, were largely deserted after government ordered bars and restaurants closed due to corona virus. People are not allowed to walk on the street’s restrictions are also for sex workers. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Sex workers can be one of the greater sources to spread the epidemic as they live in very unhygienic conditions.
Asha Mamidi, Shiv Sena worker said, “Since the 1st case of virus (HIV) in India were reported in 1986 in 6 Madras prostitutes. Since that time, the Government of India has taken steps to screen the prostitute population for antibodies to HIV and remove infected prostitutes from practice. For example, the Indian Council for Medical Research has offered a monthly stipend to any HIV-infected prostitute willing to retire–an offer that no prostitute has accepted. Similarly, now also government should render them help in COVID-19 case.”
“We all Shiv Sainiks are following our leader Uddhav Da and making it a point that maximum people receive help”, she further added.
A transgender social worker Hamidi said, “There are no indications that health education materials targeted toward prostitutes have led to any changes in their sexual behavior.”
Another social worker for Kamathipura Parmesh Mamidi told Afternoon Voice that, “Kamathipura is completely closed, morning 7 to 10 am some social workers and Shiv Sena workers are distributing vegetables to people on cheaper prices. BMC is frequently spreading bleaching and pesticides on the roads; they are maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. My family personally supplying food to police stations and needy people around. We are taking care of the people as our personal responsibility.”
When we asked about sex workers out of business issues he said, “Those who have Kothas and homes are not the sufferers but those who used to stand on the roads and do sex work are at stake but many NGO’s have rendered them help. This is time of crises and we are following the instructions of our Maharashtra CM and making it sure that no one sleeps empty stomach in our area. Police too are showing tremendous human side, they are also helping people with basic needs”
Photo By Akshay Redij / Afternoon Voice
In Bombay, an estimated 100,000 acts of sexual intercourse with infected prostitutes takes place each day. Many health officials now believe that health education campaigns aimed at the clients of prostitutes and encouraging them to use condoms would be more effective than the present approach. Similarly, no one here is using marks or sanitizer in spite of government orders, the clients reach here somehow are also least bothered about their health.
The police have closed many hotels in nearby area after sex workers in the area ignored the government measures instructing people to stay inside to the further spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). following repeated complaints from local residents.
“We still saw prostitutes on the streets soliciting, all while the government is calling on the whole population to stay inside,” said Ramkishor Yadav a fruit seller of Kamathipura.
“This concerns both prostitution on the street and prostitution and buildings,” he added.
Police officer on Bandobast said, “Law is equal to all and we are maintaining strictly that no one roams on the street without reason, some NGO’s reached with aids here and we are doing our duty, as a human they too need to understand what goes best for their health.”
To help authorities and people increase preparedness against COVID-19, electronic majors Samsung and LG have pledged to offer products and protective equipment like surgeon gown, face masks, glove, refrigerators, water purifiers, among others, to hospitals.
LG Electronics India on Tuesday said it has also partnered with Akshaya Patra Foundation to sponsor one million meals to migrant labourers and daily wage workers, who are struggling amid the 21-day lockdown in the country.
“With the rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19, LG has taken a pledge to support India’s fight against the pandemic. LG is committed to offer active support to people in need in this current situation,” it said in a statement.
LG Electronics India will donate products like water purifiers, air conditioners, refrigerators and TVs to the hospitals for their quarantine/isolation wards, covering 50 state and district hospitals across the country.
Samsung India, on the other hand, will provide preventive kits to hospitals, which includes a surgeon gown, face mask, gloves, preventive eye wear, hood cap and shoe cover.
It will also provide infra-red thermometers and public addressal systems that can be used by the authorities at hospitals and other facilities, along with air purifiers in medical facilities.
The India unit of Samsung said it will also support local police by providing cooked food packets to local communities around its manufacturing facility.
“Samsung is committed to work together with the people of India in this hour of difficulty. Over the last few days, our teams have engaged round-the-clock with various governments, local authorities, and healthcare professionals to prepare a broad and meaningful strategy to win this battle together, Samsung India in a statement.
COVID-19 infection, which originated in Wuhan in China, has spread across the world and claimed around 34,000 lives. Countries like South Korea, Spain, Italy, Iran and the US have been badly hit.
In India, the total number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 1,251, while the death toll touched 32. To combat the spread, the government had announced a 21-day lockdown that ends on April 14.
Corporate India has been rushing in to help the government and citizens fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Tata Trusts & Tata group together have pledged Rs 1,500 crore – by far the highest by any corporate. Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani has also committed a further Rs 500 crore to the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 fund, topping up over the multi-crore initiative of India’s first coronavirus hospital, meals to the needy, and fuel to emergency vehicles.
Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Infosys, has committed Rs 100 crore, while a number of other companies are also extending support efforts towards fighting COVID-19 in India.
“In these precarious and uncertain times, LG India believes in helping and supporting the Government & citizen of India with a meaningful contribution. Our initiative is designed to help those in need and contribute to society, at this critical juncture in a positive way. We will further monitor the situation and accordingly align our CSR endeavours,” LG Electronics India MD Young Lak Kim said.
The total number of coronavirus positive cases in Indore rose to 44 after 17 more people tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.
“The total number of Coronavirus positive cases rises to 44 in Indore after 17 people tested positive today. Their samples were sent to Bhopal for test two days back,” said Indore’s chief medical and health officer (CMHO) Dr Praveen Jadiya.
The movement of migrant labourers has been stopped completely in Madhya Pradesh as the State borders adjoining Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been sealed in the wake of coronavirus threat.
Morena Collector, Priyanka Das told an agency that as per the orders of the Home Ministry, the movement of migrant labourers has been stopped, whether they belong to Morena district or not.
The Central government on Tuesday filed a status report in the Supreme Court on a petition seeking directions to provide basic amenities like food, water and shelter to the migrant workers across the country in the wake to coronavirus lockdown.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and also comprising of Justice L Nageswar Rao continued hearing the petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava through video conferencing today.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, filed a detailed status report pertaining to the case and said that food is being provided to over 22 lakh 88 thousand people, including the needy, migrant and daily wage workers.
CJI Bobde asked the Mehta to set up an expert committee within 24 hours to effectively deal with the situation.
Mehta told the apex court that there were about 4.14 crore people in the country who have migrated for work according to the last census.
“Now the migration is happening due to corona fears. When the entire country was required to be locked, it was so that people don’t mix and can’t meet. We are trying to ensure that no migration is permissible,” he said.
He said that the migration will be risky for them and for the village populations and added that so far rural India is unaffected by COVID-19. Mehta said that the country has fortunately taken pre-emptive and preventive steps to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.
Mehta said that the information about the new virus came out on January 5, 2020, and added that the Central government started its preparations to deal with it from January 17.
“So far, we have been able to contain the spread of the virus much to our satisfaction. We took necessary and effective steps much ahead of many other countries. We started thermal screening at airports, seaports before cases were detected in India,” he told the court.
When the entire world has been facing the threat of deadly coronavirus, it has also shaken the school and college going students badly. They are confined to their homes like others. Their normal routine has also been completely affected. The schools and colleges are closed with no possibility of their opening in the near future.
In fact, even before the closure of educational institutions towards protective measures from the coronavirus, the children were listening to all the discussions at home and outside about this disease. They were hearing such news every day that thousands of people have come in the grip of corona virus which has taken the form of epidemic.
This had obviously troubled their mind. Here the matter is not limited to India, rather the students in the entire world are facing same problem. It should not be difficult to understand their state of mind when the deaths due to its infection have shaken the old-age people.
They are also nervous because they are hearing repeatedly that no medicine or drug or vaccine has so far been invented for this COVID-19. The other thing that is making the situation more traumatic is that every person, whether it is from their family, the outsider, WHO, or the doctors, all have been advising them not to come in contact with other people and keep their hands clean, wash them properly, use sanitizer, face mask etc.
Because of all these reasons, the smile has disappeared from the faces of the children. Their laughter and grin have to be brought back. They are noticing the streaks of tension on the faces of their parents, grandparents or other elder members of the family. Not only this, all round discussions about the deaths of thousands of people worldwide due to this deadly coronavirus have aggravated the situation further.
Since children are also connected to social media, they are not ignorant from the Corona related news, photos and messages and rumors coming through Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc. The entire atmosphere is infested with this negativity and they are living in the shadow of fear little knowing when and how they will be able to get respite from this frightful and deadly catastrophe?
How to get these scared kids out of this serious mental crisis? Here, it would be worthwhile for the elders, in each family, to maintain a positive attitude and take every such step as to keep the children diverted so that they do not concentrate much on this. They may engage children in playing with them Antakshri, word building game and also indoor games like chess, ludo, etc. Sitting together in the family, watching movies, serials etc. on TV will also prove to be effective in this direction. The re-broadcast of Ramayana and Mahabharat on TV is a great step to combat the situation.
Other mythological serials being shown on TV can also be watched, which all convey the triumph of goodness over the evils. All these things, while diverting one’s mind from ugly things, make one a good and a cultured human being.
You can take the situation like this… suppose you are sitting in a moving bus and noticing every obstacle on road, turns etc and distract the driver of the bus too. So the drive would not be able to concentrate on road and his driving resulting in a collision.
If you want to talk to your child on the corona issue, keep it brief and always positive. Surely by doing all this, the results will be better. Since parents and children are together at home these days, it would be better for everyone to sit together and play indoor games like Antakshari hide and seek etc. watch new movies. Watch as many comedy movies as possible. Maintain social distance as much as possible.
By doing so you would be able to spend your time easily and secondly your children will also be able to distract their mind from corona virus and they would be able to think more positive and constructive. My granddaughter is fond of reading, music. So I always encourage her for that. Similarly, the younger granddaughter and grandson are fond of painting.
I encourage them for that so that they keep themselves engage in it throughout the day. So take advantage of this opportunity. Children are going to their parents’ offices even during summer vacation.
So on the pretext of Corona, we all have got an excellent opportunity to spend time with our families. So take advantage of it. Me and my wife are engaged in Navratri. Children join in the morning-evening aarti. There is a very joyful environment.
At present, children are not able to go out of their homes. They are also unable to meet their friends. Parents should become their friends at this time. One should do a lot of gossiping with them. By doing all this, we will start seeing our children laughing again.
(Writer is Senior Editor and Columnist)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
One good news that came in recent times is, now we all can read our beloved newspaper without fear. Newspapers are Safe from Coronavirus stated World Health Organization (WHO).
