Respect guidelines and assist authorities

COVID-19 has returned to dominate headlines and concerns are deepening about the growth of the latest cluster which was rapidly nearing 1,000 people in just 72 hours. It is now set to surpass the earlier Navy cluster and could prove more challenging to contain. However, the main responsibility of the public is to remain calm and support the authorities, which includes staying at home whenever possible and respecting social distancing measures.

There is much criticism being directed at the apparel company for allegedly not paying sufficient attention to their employees and pressuring them to come to work even when they were suffering from COVID-like symptoms. There is also censure about allowing employees to move around the country when there is clear risk of increased infection and not implementing social distancing measures stringently enough. Some ire has also been directed at the Government for their failure to empower Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) so they could take tougher measures when they came across instances when guidelines were not being followed. 

The reality is that the environment of complacency has been shattered and it should remain so for the foreseeable future. People should work to guard themselves from being lulled into a false sense of security. It is not practical to constantly be on one end of the complacent or panic spectrum. At a time when it is of national importance that this pandemic be controlled it is imperative that companies also step up and go beyond the call of duty. They have a responsibility to protect their employees physically, financially and emotionally, especially if they include workers that belong to the more vulnerable segments of society. 

In addition to not panicking, Sri Lankans need to understand that COVID-19 is a virus and as much as two thirds of patients are asymptomatic. Therefore precautions cannot be relaxed even when the general situation seems normalised. The public also needs to refrain from unfairly slandering the woman and her daughter who were initially diagnosed. In an earlier instance it was the Muslim community that was harshly criticised, which led to worsening of community relations, and did not help against the virus fight. In this instance the blatant misogyny that is ever present in our society is on full show.  

It is positive that the Government is taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus beyond the Gampaha District, with a special discussion between Health Ministry officials taking place yesterday. Officials considered ways to expand health services offered in the district’s COVID-19 treatment facilities, healthcare professionals and their safety, strengthening of outpatient services, expansion of PCR testing, contact tracing, quarantine, and self-isolation.

Six key decisions were taken during the discussion, the main one of which was that a special committee of officers be appointed by the Health Ministry to monitor and strengthen treatment facilities in the Gampaha District. In addition to this, the Minuwangoda Base Hospital and the Iranawila Hospital will be used to treat patients identified within the Gampaha District, while the Gampaha District General Hospital will be used to monitor patients suspected of having COVID-19, as well as carry out necessary tests. Upgrading such infrastructure will be crucial in the weeks ahead and deserve public resources. 

For now Sri Lanka has to come together.