Found wanting, Admn must provide more ICU beds

Has the Administration done enough to control the second wave of Covid in UT?

To be honest, the answer is a big ‘No’

Executing Covid appropriate behaviour norms doesn’t simply mean following what is being done in other cities. Right strategies should be adopted so that people are safe and the economy doesn’t not suffer. Those who resist following safety norms must be punished. The city will become a safer place if the authorities realise that they should be improvising and implementing rules among other efforts, which are needed during this hour of crisis.

Charvi Tyagi, Chandigarh

Covid test at all hospitals

Although the UT administration has made efforts to control pandemic, yet there is lot more to be done. All should get vaccinated without any fear or delay. Take precautions like wearing face mask, maintaining social distance and sanitising hands regularly. Covid test should be available in all hospitals.

Sneh Lata, Chandigarh

Call on lockdown not taken on time

The authorities have failed considerably in curbing the spread of the virus in the UT. The call on the much-needed lockdown wasn’t taken on time. Rather UT waited for the neighbouring cities to take decisions on imposing curbs and then follow them. Markets and parks are still crowded, offices are still open, Covid norms are still being openly flouted everywhere, and the cases are at an all-time high. Complete lockdown for a long time is the only solution left to lessen the worsening impact of the pandemic. The authorities must impose it without worrying about the adverse economic consequences.

Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh

Provide Extra beds in makeshift hospitals

The UT authorities are doing their best to control the second wave of the pandemic, which is more dangerous than the first one. Social organisations, retired doctors and paramedical staff should voluntarily come forward to help the authorities combat the second wave of the Covid. The authorities must provide extra beds with oxygen facilities in makeshift hospitals to meet the demand of Covid patients. Last but not the least public must follow basic norms like keeping social distance, sanitising hands and wearing face mask.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Free tele-consultancy for patients

More efforts are needed on the part of the Chandigarh Administration to control the spread of coronavirus. Many people are seen roaming in parks in the morning. This should not be allowed. People still sit together in society parks. This practice must be avoided. The number of persons visiting religious places at a time must be restricted. The Administration must make it necessary for doctors and hospitals to provide tele-consultancy to patients without charging extra fee.

Dr Sunil Behl, Chandigarh

Half-hearted curbs won’t be of much use

Partial lockdown, night curfew or half-hearted restrictions on some activities will yield no result when it comes to controlling and breaking chain of the coronavirus infection. The Administration has to take serious steps involving public to work in unison and avoid loss of lives. Identify highly infectious areas. Emphasis should be on testing, tracing, isolation and vaccinating people in such areas. Strict action should be initiated against those involved in black marketing or hoarding of essential medicines and medical equipment.

Deepak Khanna, Chandigarh

Tricity needs to work in tandem

The UT Administration has been on its toes and doing everything to control the spread of the second Covid-19 wave. Bureaucracy did all, but did not do what they should have done. UT residents were left wondering when weekend lockdown was imposed. As the authorities in the tricity have not been able to work in tandem for imposing the lockdown the pandemic has spread its wings. Hope that decision makers in the tricity will learn a lesson and impose simultaneous lockdown and curfew in their respective areas to contain the virus.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Large population is a hindrance

The large population base has always been a problem in India. It’s always a hindrance in the progress of the country. Same applies to the current situation of the pandemic. The government is trying its level best, but due to large populace policies have become futile. All must follow the preventive guidelines and get vaccinated. Even our lax behaviour may pave way for a full lockdown. Stop blaming the system as we forget that we too are its part.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Admn complacent in dealing with crisis

The UT Administration has done much for Covid patients. But, the Administration has certainly failed in curbing the spread of the virus. Rose festival, huge gatherings at Mansa Devi, opening of hotels and restaurants for long hours should not have been permitted. It seems the Administration became little more complacent and bowed to requests of traders and residents. The need of the hour is to provide more beds and adequate supply of oxygen for Covid patients in the UT. Earlier it is done better it would be.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Laxity on part of admn, individuals

The second wave of coronavirus, far more contagious, is no less devastating than a fire. Laxity and complacency on the part of individuals and the Administration when the first wave was on the wane is responsible for the resurge. There is no dearth of ways and means to combat the current crisis, but caution is the eldest child of wisdom. Till universal vaccination is achieved, lowering the guard will be only at our own peril. Upon the conduct of each one, depends the fate of all.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Give free hand to health experts

There are many facilities and arrangements for coronavirus patients in Chandigarh. Unfortunately, pandemic is on the rise in the UT. The present situation/crisis is being managed by bureaucrats and not by health experts. Free hand should be given to health experts to manage and contain the pandemic. It is duty of doctors to save lives.

Anita Tandon, Kharar

Shows lax attitude of officials concerned

The second wave of coronavirus is at its peak. The spike in positive cases is due to the lax attitude of the UT officials. If officials were concerned all people entering the city would have been tested for the virus. Moreover, the police also didn’t stop people without wearing face masks from roaming on roads or in public places. Social distancing and sanitation went for a toss at gatherings in the UT. At this point of time, it’s duty of every individual to adhere to safety protocol honestly and control the spread of the coronavirus.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Use funds generated from challans

The Administration is always active for controlling the virus in the UT. Still, it’s at fault on one or two grounds like face masks and sanitzers were not distributed among public. Eateries were allowed to open and there were no restrictions on malls. Funds generated from all sorts of challans whether traffic or individual should be diverted for providing medical oxygen to hospitals in the city.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Convert PGI eye OPD into Covid hospital

The UT Administration must make sure that people don’t roam without any reason during lockdown. Hefty penalties should be imposed on those not wearing face mask or maintaining social distance. The Administration should convert either PGI Eye OPD or PGI OPD into Covid patient hospital until the pandemic is over. Covid patients shouldn’t be admitted with other patients in emergency. The Administration should also come up with 1,000 bed emergency hall in the PGI and the GMCH-32 due to rise in population of the trincity.

Nitin Sud, Panchkula

Medical infra totally overwhelmed

The UT Administration has been coming out with various measures to control the spread of the disease. Limited daily lockdowns and corona curfew on the weekends will definitely help in breaking the chain of the virus. Measures taken by the Administration will not bear any fruit unless the general public cooperates. We still find violations of the curfew norms. The medical infrastructure is totally overwhelmed and patients are losing lives on account of that.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

Healthcare stretched to breaking point

The healthcare infrastructure is stretched to breaking point in most parts of the country, including UT. Given this situation, more restrictions cannot be avoided. A national lockdown can’t be ruled out. The challenge is managing pandemic with least required and unavoidable disruption in economic activity. Ramping up health infrastructure must be taken on a war footing. The Centre must join hands with states to frame a flexible and phased scheme of restrictions that takes into account specific requirements and concerns of various places and sectors of the economy.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

More needs to be done on part of UT

Efforts of the UT Administration regarding control of the second pandemic wave leaves much to be desired. Considering that Chandigarh is a small in area it was expected that here action would be quick, planned and carefully executed. However, the planning is directionless, measures taken tentative and the execution ineffective. This lead coronavirus spread its tentacles in the UT. Checks on violation of norms are casual and half-hearted. Even now, if the authorities proceed with a defined strategy and strictly monitor the implementation of the Covid protocol with more presence of the police force things can improve.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

Not enough being done

The Administration is struggling and doing its best to tackle the heavy inflow of Covid patients in hospitals in the UT, but it is not enough. The present situation has exposed loopholes in our system and preparedness. Healthcare is under immense pressure. Situation in hospitals across UT is worrisome. There is shortage of ICU beds and medical oxygen. The Administration has given a call for setting up mini Covid care centres in the city through social organisations, NGOs and industrialists, which has received a good response. Desperate time calls for desperate measures. Strict action should be taken against those don’t follow safety norms.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

People hesitant to get vaccinated

The Administration is doing its best to provide regular and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to hospitals in the UT. Though vaccination is free for all beneficiaries, people are still hesitant to get inoculated against disease. Those entering Chandigarh must be tested for the disease. Unnecessary wandering in and around UT should be strictly prohibited.

Parampreet Kaur, Chandigarh

Mini-lockdown is sufficient

A mini lockdown is already in force in Chandigarh, which is more than sufficient. Last year, people suffered financially due to total lockdown as there was no economic activity. Now, during the second wave masses need to follow safety protocols strictly and step out of homes only when it is too necessary to reduce further spread of the virus. Hefty fines can be imposed for violation of protocols. The Administration needs to make appropriate arrangements for Covid patients and provide them proper treatment to save their lives.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

One-sided efforts not enough

Though the UT Administration is doing its best to control Covid cases, these efforts should have been made at the onset of the second wave. Rather, preparations should have been beforehand, but the Administration lacked on this. Residents are not fully cooperative. Covid-related precautions are flouted openly, which is spreading coronavirus. Now, the situation has crossed all limits. The Administration needs to strictly handle violators of the safety norms. One-sided efforts of the Administration may not be enough. Residents too must take precautions seriously.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

Norms flouted with impunity

The Administration has not done enough to control the second wave of coronavirus in the UT. In Chandigarh, people don’t wear face masks and flout social distancing norm. Hospital facilities are lacking in the UT despite second Covid wave. Today’s situation is result of past errors and carelessness towards Covid norms. Strict lockdown is an option to tackle the deadly virus.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Impose more restrictions

The rising number of Covid cases in Chandigarh pose a challenge to the UT Administration. The Administration was never prepared for this eventually, but it’s doing level best to prevent the spread of the virus. More restrictions should be imposed on public gatherings. Heavy penalty should be levied on people not following Covid protocols. As third wave of coronavirus is on its way, the Administration should be prepared for its adverse effects.

Ryan Sood, Panchkula

Pandemic can be contained with efforts

The Chandigarh Administration is not serious about controlling the Covid-19 pandemic. It has only been experimenting. Even lockdown or curfew is not a solution for this dangerous pandemic as these have adversely impacted financial condition of everyone. The Administration must ensure that people follow preventive guidelines, issued by the government from time to time. It is not difficult for the Administration to control the pandemic as Chandigarh has small territory.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Good job so far, but best yet to come

The UT authorities did good work, but best is yet to come. City residents are openly flouting pandemic norms. They don’t wear face mask, fail to maintain social distance and venture out of their homes without any urgency. The eligible beneficiaries are not coming forward to get vaccinated. Now, the foremost task for the authorities is to get sufficient doses of vaccine as the number of eligible beneficiaries has increased because of the inclusion of 18 years plus residents.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Patients are suffering

The UT Administration has failed to understand adverse consequences of the second Covid wave. Patients are suffering due to lackadaisical attitude in overall management of the situation in terms of availability of ICU beds, general beds, medical oxygen and medicines in hospitals compelling them to get treatment at other places. Non-existence of hotline or real time information about these facilities has added fuel to the fire.

RPS Chopra, Chandigarh

People can help contain the spread

Hospitals are struggling to keep up with the rising number of Covid patients. During such time when healthcare system is collapsing people need take precautions that can prevent the spread of the deadly virus. The UT Administration should take stringent action against violators of Covid prevention guidelines. The Administration can only provide necessary resources to treat infection, but prevention lies in the hands of the public. Need of the hour is to provide healthcare facilities to public. Hoarding of oxygen cylinders or medicines should be a punishable offence. Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Prepare for third wave of Coronavirus

The Chandigarh Administration is making untiring efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, but the virus is surging with each passing day. The desperate need of the hour is to recruit more medical professionals failing which the UT authorities might face more difficulties during the third Covid wave. SOPs should be followed strictly. More oxygen cylinders should be provided. Black marketing and hoarding of cylinders and medicines has to be checked.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

QUESTION

Instead of depending on private suppliers, should the PGI set up its own medical oxygen generation plant when both government and private healthcare institutions are facing a shortage of the life-saving gas?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com