Perhaps no industry in the country has taken a hit as the Hindi film industry has by the rapid spread of the dreaded Coronavirus. Analysts are of the opinion that the virus has already cost the box office a lot mainly due to theatre closures in India, China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and France. As an effect, more than half of cinemas across India have been shut down following orders from various state governments including Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Punjab.
The film industry is particularly vulnerable to the outbreak because both the production and also the consumption of its output require a large number of people to come together in small spaces. It is also a truly global industry: Studios and production companies have offices and film sets all over and they often require employees to frequently travel between them. What one needs is only to look at the end credits for most major films to see just how many locales a single two-hour film relies on in order to reach theatre screens.
While shooting a film, the production needs the presence of makeup artists and hairstylists who touch performers with gloves and masks on. If a principal actor gets sick and goes out of commission for an extended period of time, it can throw an entire production schedule into chaos.
As all shootings have been cancelled and theatres in many parts of the country been shut down amid Coronavirus outbreak, Bollywood stands to incur an estimated loss of Rs 800 crore. More than half of cinemas across the country – around 3500 screens – have been shutdown, following orders from various state governments including Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Punjab.
Tiger Shroff-Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Baaghi 3 hit theatres on March 6 and the film had collected Rs 90.67 crore in the first week of its release. Similarly, Irrfan Khan’s Angrezi Medium, in its run of just three days has collected Rs 9.5 crore. It is being said that the makers of Baaghi 3 suffered a loss of Rs 25-30 crore after the closure of the theatres. Theatres shutting down have also impacted the weekend business of Angrezi Medium.
On the shooting front, picturisation of a number of films such as Jersey, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Brahmastra have been cancelled too due to Coronavirus as is that of Salman Khan’s Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, Vidya Balan’s Sherni, Bhumi Pednekar’s Durgavati and John Abraham’s Mumbai Saga have come to a stand still. This is the effect of the announcement of the Indian Motion Pictures Producer (IMPPA) that all production work shall come to a halt from March 19 to March 31.
All this has severely impacted film distributors and exhibitors.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
It is a matter of satisfaction that finally four convicts of Nirbhaya rape-cum-death were ultimately hanged to death at 5.30 am on March 20 after crossing all hurdles created by lawyers of convicts including last-moment mid-night effort to knock court-doors. Even politicians cutting across party-lines expressed satisfaction on the final justice to Nirbhaya who faced most inhuman torture on December 16, 2012.
But legal loopholes brought in the whole affair calls for immediate reform in the system whereby crimes attracting death-penalty may be heard on fast track at all stages of trial from District Court to Supreme Court. Provision of filing mercy-petition may not be there in case death-sentence is confirmed by all the courts. Review or curative petitions may be allowed only at Supreme Court that too to be finally decided within fortnight of filing these. Mercy-petition to be decided in a time-bound period of maximum three months may be allowed only when any of the court might not have approved death-sentence.
Early and extra hangings that too to really deserving ones will practically save lives of many more by preventing rapes and murders, as criminals will then only be fearful against death-penalty. Since rape can be done only by a matured mind, minor rapists must not be freed but given life-sentence
Madhu Agrawal
Spreading “Namaste” Culture
In the age of pandemics and novel Corona viruses, it’s better to be safe than sorry. As the world grapples with the rapidly growing Coronavirus crisis, Namaste, Indian traditional way of greeting people is making a comeback globally. In the age of the Coronavirus, the world, it seems, is looking at the traditional Indian ‘Namaste’ to greet, convey respect and also maintain a safe distance. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to get into the habit of greeting each other with a “Namaste” instead of a regular handshake as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
In fact, the whole world is making a habit of ‘Namaste’. Several world leaders and others are now using the simple joining of hands to say “Hello”, “Hi” and “How do you do” the Indian way with the ‘Namaste’. The handshake began in the 5th century B.C. Greece that was a declaration of peace, to demonstrate that neither person was carrying or holding a weapon and now Namaste can become the new weapons-free gesture. No one knows that this could be India’s crucial scientific contribution to the fight against the deadly Coronavirus.
Vinod C. Dixit
Siddhinvinayak closes door for devotees
The Siddhivinayak Temple of Mumbai — a famous shrine to Lord Ganesh closed its doors, emphasising the need to avoid crowded places and break the chain to counter Coronavirus. The decision was taken in view of the situation created by the highly contagious virus. The temple will remain closed till further notice. The Siddhivinayak Temple is the latest among a string of the country’s popular shrines to respond to the threat posed by the highly contagious virus. Over the last weeks, the temples at Maharashtra’s Shirdi and Kerala’s Sabarimala had asked devotees to postpone their visit for a few weeks. So far, Maharashtra has registered the maximum cases of coronavirus, the current figure is 52. Overall, 200 people across the country have tested positive for the virus. The Maharashtra government has invoked the Epidemic Act hoping that it will help contain the virus as well as control panic. It is a right step in the right direction.
Anandambal Subbu
Strong steps needed to fight Coronavirus
Coronavirus has been declared as an epidemic disease of the contemporary era by many of the countries of the world and has claimed 10,000 lives so far and more than two lakh people got affected with this harmful disease. This disease has spread to 125 countries of the world and still no one has found out any proper treatment to control it.
All the powerful countries of the world are concerned about and countries like China, Iran and Italy are the worst affected. It is worrisome that despite all the preventive steps are being taken in India but the result is yet to be seen as the number of the Corona patients is increasing every day. So I request the government to take some strong steps to protect the country from this disaster. Otherwise it may lead the country to a great catastrophe.
Abdul Rab
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath announces his resignation from his post after his government fell short of numbers. The Supreme Court had on Thursday ordered chief minister Kamal Nath-led Congress government to face floor test in the MP Vidhan Sabha by today. As per the apex court’s order, the trust vote has been mentioned in Madhya Pradesh Assembly’s list of business for today at 2 pm. Ahead of the floor test, Kamal Nath is set to address media today.
The Congress-led government has been pushed to the brink following of former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. The state assembly speaker Narmada Prasad Prajapati late Thursday night accepted the resignations of the remaining 16 rebel Congress MLAs who have been in Bengaluru since March 9.
With this, the resignations of all 22 MLAs in Scindia’s camp brings down the total strength of the assembly to 206 where the ruling Congress with 92 members and seven allied MLAs is now at least five short of a simple majority of 104. The opposition BJP with 107 MLAs is three more than the simple majority.
“In the wake of the Supreme Court directions on Thursday, the legislature is following the judiciary, while the constitution is silent,” the Speaker Narmada Prasad Prajapati said while announcing the acceptance of resignations of 16 MLAs.
Earlier, the state legislative Assembly had been adjourned until March 26 in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
An Ayurveda practitioner was booked by Mumbai police for allegedly offering ‘antidotes’ to cure COVID-19. Dr Subhashchandra Yadav (39) from Nallasopara (E) was offering the cure in three doses of Rs 100 each. Another Ayurveda doctor Sarwar Khan was booked by Valiv police for putting up a board outside his clinic that read ‘Corona flu preventive medicine available.’ Meanwhile, many reputed doctors of Mumbai were seen circulating pamphlets on homeopathic medicines for free to prevent COVID-19. All of them gave reference of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The Ministry of AYUSH, Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) swung into action and its experts discussed the ways and means of prevention of Coronavirus infection through homoeopathy in the meeting of its Scientific Advisory Board on Jan 28 this year. Later, it issued an advisory based on the Indian traditional medicinal practices of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani in an effort to keep the Chinese virus at bay. But, so far there is no scientific authentication to these medicines. Well! amid this scam mongering some responsible doctors of Maharashtra especially Mumbai are determinedly trying their best to create awareness among people.
After these arrests’ Dr. Deepak Chaturvedi, M.D, First Antiaging Physician in India appealed to the medical fraternity and practitioners stating that they should avoid such misguiding practices. He also urged city doctors to stay away from making any claims about the treatment and/or prevention of Corona COVID-19 through any magic remedy (including vitamins, minerals, onions, garlics, sunlight, Ayurvedic products, homeopathic products, Immunity Boosters or whatsoever).
While speaking to Afternoon Voice Dr. Chaturvedi said “We, as a medical fraternity have to be careful before advising anything because people take these advises seriously and some even follow the same. The first and foremost job of a doctors is to create awareness but not take advantage of a situation for their medical practices.” He further stated, “I would want to extend my request to the population not to get carried away by any claims and assurances given by anybody. Ask for scientific evidences. Don’t get overconfident if you are taking such treatments. Most importantly, don’t pay for such treatments claiming to give you prevention and treatment against Corona COVID-19 infection.”
Dr Anshuman Manaswi, Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeon said, “As of today, there are NO ANTIDOTES for COVID-19. Only precautions can help prevent it. Social distancing and Hand Hygiene is the most effective. Worldover, swift research is happening to find some medicine for this and some medicines are being found to be effective. But it is best left to qualified people to treat the Coronavirus. If an antidote becomes available, both the Government and the Medical bodies will only be too happy to announce it and give guidelines.”
Dr Mukesh Batra, Founder – Dr Batra’s Clinics was one of the Doctors of Mumbai who circulated pamphlets on free medication of COVID-19 prevention. His clinics were overcrowded with medicine receivers. When asked what was the reason for this circulation, he said, “That is recommended by AYUSH ministry as preventive. We were distributing their recommendations free for the benefit of people who wish to avail of it. It is given by qualified doctors of my medical centre.”
“People especially medical professionals should use this time to help their fellow human beings and not to increase their business. They should work in tandem with the government bodies and provide the necessary assistance accordingly. We at Dr Batras have been providing all citizens with free doses of Ars Alb 30 as prescribed by the AYUSH ministry since February 15. We will continue to make the doses available across all our clinics in India till March 31 for anyone who wishes to collect the same. In a time such as this, we need to come together,” he added.
The Group of Experts inter-alia has recommended that homoeopathy medicine Arsenicum album 30 could be taken as prophylactic medicine against Coronavirus infection which has also been advised for prevention of ILI. It has recommended one dose of Arsenicum album 30 daily in empty stomach for three days. But still Coronavirus has reached stage two in India.
Dr Suresh Sanghvi Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon said, “Medicine for COVID-19 as of today does not exist. Selling or distributing free medicine for Corona without any scientific proof is mockery of medical practices.”
Skin Specialist and Dermatologist Dr Rashmi Shetty said, “Don’t panic. It’s always the case. Whenever you panic, you end up taking quick rash and wrong decisions. So there is no need to panic. India is handling Coronavirus cases well so are the doctors in India. So please go to only the doctors who are authorised by the government. There are private doctors too like your family doctor. They will give you the right advice. Don’t go to anyone who think that they have quick cure to Corona. There are none yet. They are trying various types of combination which are giving good results, but please go to a legit doctor or institution and stay safe.”
Dr Aneruddh Ambekar, Orthopedic, Lifelline Hospital said, “Vaccination or any treatment is fake news, these are all marketing strategies to achieve fame. This should not be promoted if at all any such treatment is available it should come from government and then private doctors can practice otherwise no.”
Dr Parag Telang Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon said, “It is sad that even when we as a country are grappling with a deadly pandemic, selfish people are looking to make quick a buck or quick name! They should be dealt with strictly to curb such practices.”
Dr Anil Patil MD from GS Medical College, KEM Hospital said, “From where has this Corona come and what will it do? Few years ago, SARS epidemic had occurred. During that time, I had said that SARS won’t cause any harm and the same thing happened. Children die due to Influenza and Pneumonia and attention should be paid towards these diseases. Who will address the actual problems of Indians like Tuberculosis, Malaria, respiratory infections. Coronavirus does not transmit through air. If it falls on metal surfaces, then it can stay alive for 12 hours. It cannot survive beyond 26 to 27 degree centigrade.”
Dr Yashashri, Nodal officer for COVID-19 in Mumbai said, “Coronavirus is a group of virus and it was already existent in the world. In Wuhan, there were 40 to 41 cases of Pneumonia but nobody could ascertain it occurred because of which virus. Coronavirus is not airborne. It occurs due to the droplets coming out of nose and mouth while sneezing. When a person comes in contact with these droplets and touches his nose and mouth then he is liable to be infected with Coronavirus. The symptoms of Coronavirus include fever, respiratory problems, feeling tiredness, vomiting.”
Dr. Bhakti M. Vanjara General Practitioner said, “Don’t believe and forward such rumours about treatment of COVID-19.Whomsoever claiming that they have treatment for it , might be just saying about prophylactic medicines which would work as prevention but not as a cure. As in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy there are some medicines which can improve and boost your immune system and prevent from infections. Ayurvedic medicines like haldi, ginger, holy basil are very commonly used herbs which are helpful for preventing many bacterial, fungal and viral infections as well. Even in Homoeopathy, there are a few medicines which have symptoms similar to Corona. There are no scientific trials available for Ayurveda, Unani, homeopathic or any other treatment of Coronavirus disease– COVID-19. If anyone claims with results, they should come forward, prove results on Covid-19 positive patients and help the community. But spreading rumours about treatment should not be entertained in such war-like situation.”
Dr Gurjot Marwah, Dermotologist, Cosmetologist & hair Transplant Surgeon averred, “Novel Coronavirus has been recently declared as a pandemic by the WHO. It’s the responsibility of each citizen to take care of themselves. If you’re showing symptoms of any flu, and visit a qualified doctor (MBBS,M.D,DNB). Please avoid going to quacks who make unnatural claims.”
Mumbai’s infamous tiffin service provider, the dabbawalas have suspended their service from Thursday till March 31 in the wake of Coronavirus. Subhash Talekar, chairman of Mumbai Daabawala Association said that the decision was taken as a counter measure.
“The decision was taken unanimously as the Maharashtra government appealed to avoid rush in local trains to prevent Coronavirus, hence responding positively, the Association decided to suspend the tiffin service in the city,” Talekar told AV.
As the state government proposed to work from home and all firms in the city agreed with the same, the tiffin delivery service declined, “Earlier, one Dabbawala used to deliver 30 to 35 tiffins in a day which has slumped to just 10 tiffins in a day due to 50 per cent formula introduced by the government in the wake of Corona,” he said while talking to AV.
Such kind of a decision is first taken in 130 years since Mumbai’s Dabdawala tiffin service was founded in 1890. Around 5,000 dabbawalas deliver about
1, 75,000 to 2, 00,000 home-cooked tiffins to working Mumbaikars each day.
However, the Dabbawala service has evolved over the year as the city keeps on evolving, depending on their alpha numerical characters which ensures smooth delivery on three different routes.
Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani appeared before the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office in Ballard Estate, Mumbai on Thursday in connection with Yes Bank debacle. The unit calls Ambani for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Earlier, he was asked to be present before ED on Moday, but sought for exemption on personal ground.
Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference on March 6 said, besides Anil Ambani Group, DHFL, Essel Group, Vodafone and ILFS were among the defaulters group stressed Yes Bank crisis. Ambani Group which went bankrupt had received loans worth Rs 12,800 crore from Yes Bank facing financial instability.
Last week, Reliance Group said, its entire borrowings from the Yes Bank were totally safe, “Reliance Group is committed to honouring repayments of all its borrowings from Yes Bank Ltd through its various asset monetisation programmes which are all at advanced stages,” said in a statement.
Moreover, Essel Group, Jet Airways has an unpaid due of Rs 8,400 crore and Rs 550 crore, respectively. However, around 44 associating with 10 large business groups reportedly accounted default of Rs 34,000 crore. There are other companies including Bharat Infra, Cox & Kings, and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation.
Essel Group chairman, Subhash Chandra did not appear before ED on Wednesday, due to ongoing parliamentary session, “Essel Group has never made any transactions with Mr Rana Kapoor or his family or for that matter any private entities controlled by them,” He twitted. Similarly, Naresh Goyal founder of Jet Airways refrained to appear before ED, referring to an ill family member.
The ED accused Kapoor and family and others for indulging in illicit money laundering of Rs 4,300 crore by receiving kickbacks to grant big loans via Yes Bank that later turned to be liability, to be specific it turned to be Non-Performing Assets (NPA) over a period of time.
Last week, speaking to AV, Uttam Agarwal former Yes Bank Director accused current management for the mismanagement. “It’s the failure of governance and current management. Yes Bank’s MD and CEO Mr Ravneet Gill and his team could not manage the show. Unnecessarily the Kapoors are under attack but Gill is solely responsible for the mismanagement. Its game of manipulations, these guys just finished everything,” told to AV.
The ED initiated an investigation on Kapoor and family and other associates after RBI imposed moratorium earlier this month on Yes Bank, restricting the withdrawals limit to Rs 50,000 per transactions.
As in the past, the floor test in a assembly is just fake and no useful purpose is served unless the speaker initiate right steps to bring democratic set up to the floor of the house. In Indian assembly set up, the Governor is less powerful and the speaker is the sole proprietor. Is the MP speaker going out of the way and make things move in the direction of Kamal Nath government. It is generally spelt that the government ‘by the people, for the people and of the people” but that doctrine is not a workable solution as might is the right and the Governor is just a puppet like the President of India. How long we see the things move against the norms and done according to the whims and fancies of the ruling party. MP government does not have majority and should tender resignation if there is Coronavirus or not and go according to the constitution.
Ramani Subbu C.K
Swift action by Finance Ministry and govt saves Yes Bank from sinking
Finance Ministry and RBI’s swift action on Yes Bank saved India’s 4th largest bank from sinking for which the government deserves accolades. The consortium led by SBI would oversee normalcy returning to Yes Bank. 75 % of equity shares has been locked in for 3 years and this move I felt was a masterstroke. The bank’s shares climbed substantially when the whole market was in the doldrums.
With the entire net worth of the bank being wiped out, the arrangement is a big bonus for shareholders who can sell 25 per cent shares now at an good price and at the same time expect 75 per cent of the balance remaining to appreciate in 3 years time. Coronavirus is the next challenge facing the government and I am sure PM Modi has an appropriate plan to save not just the nation’s economy but the lives of our citizens as well.
S.N. Kabra
Strangling of democracy
The media commentaries around the recent political turns in Madhya Pradesh (MP) offer a sense for the trends in shaping of India’s political culture. The goings-on in MP are now becoming frighteningly familiar, but we cannot afford to let them be seen as legitimate politics. Euphemistic phrases like “Operation Kamala” and “resort politics,” which have routinely surfaced in public discussions in the wake of several “mass defections” of legislators seen in recent years to bring down freshly elected governments, threaten to do just that. They rationalize it as inevitable power games. The sole focus on strategy and benefits has nearly reduced representative politics to a procedural formality. The anti-defection law, of course, needs to be strengthened and every other possible legal route explored to curb the practice of manipulating political defections, but the matter is fundamentally less about the legal framework and more about a genuine commitment to the spirit of democracy. The voters — irrespective of the political party they support — should want political parties to abide by the latter. Otherwise, they remain irresponsible witnesses to the strangling of democracy in the country.
Amjadullah Abuzar Bajpatti
Renowned family sets good example to combat Coronavirus
It was indeed an admirable step of a renowned industrial family (Sujata Mixi and fans) to personally request relations and others not to attend cremation of a family-member and not holding other death-related rituals. Even the family-members did not inform about the death at their own.
Central and Delhi governments should urgently issue an advisory so that people at large may adopt similar steps by avoiding gatherings at cremation and other death-related rituals. Government offices and public transport should be closed so that Coronavirus in India may not reach the fatal and most dangerous third and fourth stage. India with population of 135 crores may not be able to tackle third and fourth stage of Coronavirus even though Central and Delhi governments should be complimented for joining hands to tackle the biggest challenge of Coronavirus to humanity.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Going by the statement that birds of the same feather flock together, sparrows find a home in every housing society in the satellite city. But the sparrow community had flown away with as the radiation from TV antennas was getting too much for them.
World sparrow day is an occasion to create awareness of the house sparrow and other common birds to urban environments and of threats to their populations observed on March 20. However, greenery surrounding with bamboo bushes in housing societies can help out the cause and bring more birds and avoid the extinction of sparrow in the two decades. As a senior citizen, I am able to propagate the importance of preserving the endangered species and bring more sparrows to the bamboo garden in the vicinity. The society provides enough greenery for the survival of this species of birds.
World Sparrow Day is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation and numerous other national and international organisations across the world. The Nature Forever Society was started by Mohammed Dilawar, an Indian conservationist who started his work helping the house sparrow in Nashik and who was named one of the “Heroes of the Environment” for 2008 by time for his efforts. The idea of marking a World Sparrow Day came up during an informal discussion at the Nature Forever Society’s office. The idea was to earmark a day for the house sparrow to convey the message of conservation of the house sparrow and other common birds and also mark a day of celebration to appreciate the beauty of the common biodiversity which is taken so much for granted. The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010 in different regions of the world. The day was celebrated by carrying out by various kinds of activities and events like art competitions, awareness campaigns and sparrow processions as well as interactions with the media.
World Sparrow Day also has a broader vision to provide a platform where people who are working on the conservation of the house sparrow and other common birds can network, collaborate and exchange conservation ideas which will lead to better science and improved results. It aims to provide a meeting ground for people from different parts of the world to come together and form a force that can play an important role in advocacy and in spreading the awareness on the need of conserving common biodiversity or species of lower conservation status. As a resident of Sanpada, with a garden view in front of our flats, we are able to bring in more feathered birds including sparrows to have their nests among us. Both food and water is provided to them to help out the cause and bring the sparrow to come to our doorsteps.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
A 20-year-old girl died and another 38-year-old woman was critically injured after fire broke out at residential building opposite Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow in Bandra on Thursday morning.
According to a fire official, the incident took place in a seven-storey building name Sea Spring in Bandra Bandstand around 7.30 am.
A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said “After being alerted, the fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and doused the blaze in some time. Two women were later rescued from the flat and they were immediately rushed to the nearby Bhabha Hospital.”
Evana Morrece (20) was pronounced dead at the arrival however another woman who has been identified as Sifra Japhari (38) has suffered 90 per cent to 100 per cent burn injuries. The doctors said the injured women condition is critical and she has been admitted to the ICU. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
The moment news reports about the Coronavirus epidemic came floating in, the social media got hyper active not only that but the text messages, emails, WhatsApp posts about imaginary testing and prevention techniques so much so that the local remedies of using cow urine to cow dung was in circulation. You’ve probably seen them yourself: surefire ways to determine if you have the disease or simple tricks to avoid getting it. And while some of the advice is easy to spot as false and disregard, other suggestions sound plausible. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. There are many imaginary stories and advices from all sides that is doing dangerous spread across people. But no one is talking about the myths spread across. Coronavirus folklores that are being conceded around are not in human interest, as a civilised society member, you need to be very cautious about such meaningless forwards.
Next time, if you receive such forwards, you just have to delete it without reading. While we’re hoping that Coronavirus tests become more available, as of now, they’re not, because India does not have such infrastructure and facilities largely available. And even once they are more widespread, according to health ministry that probably won’t mean everyone who wants to get tested will make that call. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Clinicians should use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms companionable with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. If you think you may have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, the CDC advises calling your healthcare provider for advice.
The second most important thing, the import and export form various countries just on halt assuming that the consignment may carry virus along with it but in reality, the chances of contracting Coronavirus from courier are very slim although it’s hypothetically possible but it’s virtually impossible for the virus to survive when it’s in transit. You may want to avoid ordering non-essential items through the mail right now, but that’s more to lighten the burden you’re placing on people like delivery drivers not because the packages themselves could be carrying the virus. Meanwhile, if the virus is that dangerous, imagine those who travelled to India from Corona affected countries, the travellers are quarantined but not their luggage or belongings. Those things are handed over to the family members immediately after their admission to hospitals. Even when you return from a foreign tour, the traveller (passenger) undergoes the health scan but not his belongings or luggage. If they can’t be infected, how can your courier or mail be? Both travelling from same zone to similar destinations. Precaution is better remedy but propaganda is threat.
Many people are circulating advisory that the consumption of turmeric and milk is another remedy to kill the virus, some say chanting particular mantras can prevent Coronavirus in the era where religious places are quarantined, how can something prevent you from virus if you do not adopt to prevention methods. As chanting cannot help, even bathing in sun also is not a preventive measure. Heat can kill the disease, but that fact is often misconstrued because only extreme heat which is beyond your tolerance may help but heat in your everyday normal life won’t kill Coronavirus. So, there is no point in sitting in broad day sunlight and soak yourself, you might get dehydrated or pigmented. Both the symptoms are not healthy for human lives.
Hospitals and medical facilities use that kind of heat in the hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit to clean their medical instruments to disinfect and kill viruses. Or sterilise their equipment but things like taking a hot shower or bath, sipping hot tea or just being in warm weather won’t kill COVID-19. Another misconception is that Coronavirus will stall out when it’s warmer out, this is the case with the regular flu which thrives in cold, dry conditions such as winter weather and tends to die out when it’s hot and muggy. But it’s too early to tell if that will be the case for Coronavirus as well. What’s more, since the disease is spreading in hotter climates including Singapore and Australia, there’s reason to believe warmer weather won’t be enough to stop it in its tracks.
Now let’s look at the usage of face masks, we assume that they offer some protection but aren’t recommended for healthy people. Face masks are generally used to prevent the spread of airborne viruses which COVID-19 is not airborne. Coronavirus spreads from person-to-person via respiratory droplets that are produced when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC. Surgical masks can be useful in theory but not those random masks getting sold across. If someone has to sneeze, and there was a drip, it could protect your face from that droplet. But Coronavirus may enter through other areas like your eyes especially if you touch your face. They may act as a reminder to avoid doing that, though. Still, the benefits aren’t so big that wearing a face mask is recommended. In fact, if you’re healthy, the CDC wants you to steer clear of them. They say to only wear one if a healthcare professional recommends it or if you’re a health worker. Sick people should don face masks, though. They can contain those respiratory droplets that could go on to infect others. Beyond this, drinking water won’t stop you from getting sick. Don’t believe that drinking water continuously will prevent you from Coronavirus. Rather, it will bloat your tummy by leaving you uneasy. While staying hydrated can keep your body healthy, drinking water beyond required limits may get you in trouble.
Any age, any colour and anybody can get COVID-19 — and they can definitely spread it around. Kids can also get Coronavirus and they may even be the biggest source of spread because they’re all over the place and they tend to be handy. No drugs or dopes or liquors can kill Coronavirus, at the same time eating non-vegetarian food can’t get you the virus infections. Maybe it’s not a huge surprise that people wanted to believe this one. After all, we’re all cooped up inside. We’re looking for something to take our minds off the stress of social distancing. If you’re worried about your cat or dog spreading Coronavirus, you can rest easy, currently, there is no evidence that pets such as dogs and cats have infected humans. At such a crucial time, one needs to be protective and alert but not extreme with illusionary forwards. We as a society need to be calm and not panic. Unless and until you don’t stop spreading gossips spread by others, no one can treat your mental illness, Corona is a far thing.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Perhaps no industry in the country has taken a hit as the Hindi film industry has by the rapid spread of the dreaded Coronavirus. Analysts are of the opinion that the virus has already cost the box office a lot mainly due to theatre closures in India, China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and France. As an effect, more than half of cinemas across India have been shut down following orders from various state governments including Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Punjab.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath announces his resignation from his post after his government fell short of numbers. The Supreme Court had on Thursday ordered chief minister Kamal Nath-led Congress government to face floor test in the MP Vidhan Sabha by today. As per the apex court’s order, the trust vote has been mentioned in Madhya Pradesh Assembly’s list of business for today at 2 pm. Ahead of the floor test, Kamal Nath is set to address media today.
An Ayurveda practitioner was booked by Mumbai police for allegedly offering ‘antidotes’ to cure 
Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani appeared before the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office in Ballard Estate, Mumbai on Thursday in connection with Yes Bank debacle. The unit calls Ambani for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Earlier, he was asked to be present before ED on Moday, but sought for exemption on personal ground.
Going by the statement that birds of the same feather flock together, sparrows find a home in every housing society in the satellite city. But the sparrow community had flown away with as the radiation from TV antennas was getting too much for them.
A 20-year-old girl died and another 38-year-old woman was critically injured after fire broke out at residential building opposite Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow in Bandra on Thursday morning.