LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reopen Religious Places

ROMAN Catholics  in Goa had been eagerly waiting for reopening of  churches on June 8, consequent upon the Centre relaxing lockdown restrictions. But regrettably a statement from the Church body  Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media said that churches and places of worship would not reopen on June 8, citing the spike in coronavirus positive  cases in the state. Similarly leaders from other religious communities decided not to reopen the  places of worship of their religions. We must understand  that  Goa cannot be treated in isolation from the rest of the country. Though initially in the green zone, it could not retain the status for long as with the opening up of transport modes – air, road and rail – the influx of infected persons from containment zones has increased. The arrival of virus carriers   has spread the disease to several places in the state, especially at Mangor Hill in Vasco. Needless to say, there is no timeline for the deadly pathogen to disappear by locking and unlocking the country.  We must be ready  to live with it for a very long time to come. Herd immunity may help in eradicating the virus, as was the case with the past viruses. The religious and devout have been eagerly waiting with bated breath to step into the hallowed shrines of worship as the services telecast through social media and TV channels have been inadequate to meet the expectations of the laity. Even in the US religious activity is deemed as an essential service. Solemnly praying to God for his divine intervention is the need of the hour. It is hoped that wiser counsel will prevail, and religious authorities will review their decision. It is earnestly hoped that places of worship will be thrown open for the faithful, who could seek divine intervention in wiping out the deadly virus.

EVERETTE ASSIS TELLES, MARGAO

Lockdown Not Panacea
For COVID-19

At a time when the country is opening up the economy with stage-wise easing of lockdown curbs, it is strange that a few politicians in Goa are pushing hard for a total lockdown of Vasco and Mormugao taluka, just because a few persons have tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic at Mangor Hill and surrounding areas. Have we no leant from Mumbai where even the lockdown,  hotspots and containment zones have failed to prevent the spread of the virus? Secondly, lakhs of migrant workers in the country have been found to be COVID positive on arrival in their home states, even after a two-month  lockdown at their workplaces. How did this happen? It is time we realised that lockdowns are not the panacea for COVID-19. Social distancing, wearing of face masks, sanitising and avoiding of crowded place is what every state should enforce strictly, besides vigorous testing and quarantining of  people entering the state, especially those coming  from red zones.

A   F NAZARETH, ALTO PORVORIM