The
world is facing a massive challenge today and Sri Lanka too is
not free from this challenge. It has affected the day-to-day operations of the
economy and health sector of our nation. However, it is commendable that our
government has taken many steps to overcome these challenges and protect our
people and tourists from other countries. It is time that we take the
Coronavirus threat seriously. Sri Lankans must acknowledge the nature of
this threat – both the severity of physical impact as well as the social
and economic impact which could be nationally devastating if effective
containment is not ensured. However, it is not enough if the government is only
alert. Moreover, the public needs to be vigilant to prevent this disaster.
The
healthcare system of Sri Lanka and its attendant cadres of professionals, is
credited with the elimination of several diseases such as Malaria and Polio,
and has the potential to rise up to any challenge. The Coronavirus may yet be
the biggest challenge it has faced in recent times. But with the right
leadership, preventive measures and public cooperation, it is a battle that can
be won.
The
Chinese government has been quick to publicly acknowledge the outbreak of the
epidemic and to regularly update the world of its spread and impact. Enough
news images have come out of the world’s biggest nation indicating not only the
scale of the emergency response actions but also the meticulous intensity of
the preventive and mitigatory measures being swiftly implemented.
In Sri
Lanka, there seems to be a laid-back attitude l to this threatening
epidemic despite the clear negative implications not just for our nation’s
physical health but also for its economy and especially those economic sectors
that directly depend on mass scale participation, like tourism.
Coronaviruses
Coronaviruses
were first identified in the 1960s, but we don't know where they come from.
They get their name from their crown-like shape. Sometimes, but not often, a coronavirus
can infect both animals and humans.
Generally,
a coronavirus is a kind of common virus that
causes an infection in your nose, sinuses,
or upper throat. Most coronaviruses are not dangerous.
Some
types of coronaviruses are serious, though. About 858 people have died
from Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which first appeared in 2012 in
Saudi Arabia and then in other countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and
Europe. In April 2014, the first American was hospitalized for MERS in Indiana
and another case was reported in Florida. Both had just returned from Saudi
Arabia. In May 2015, there was an outbreak of MERS in Korea, which was the
largest outbreak outside of the Arabian Peninsula. In 2003, 774 people died
from a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. As of 2015, there were no
further reports of cases of SARS.
But In
early 2020, following a December 2019 outbreak in
China, the World Health Organization identified a new type, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Often a
coronavirus causes upper respiratory infection symptoms like a stuffy nose,
cough, and sore throat. You can treat them with rest and over-the-counter medication. The coronavirus can also cause
middle ear infections in children.
Updated impact of the viruses
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) originating in Wuhan,
China has spread to 22 more countries alarming health officials across the
world. A total of 9,776 (9,658 cases in mainland China and 108 cases outside
China) confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection including 213 deaths have
been reported across the world as of 30 January 2020, at the time of writing. (https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/).
No deaths related to the illness have
been reported outside of China. With health officials confirming that a Chinese
woman who had arrived in Sri Lanka from Wuhan had tested positive for the
Coronavirus, preventive measures must necessarily shift into high gear.
How is China trying to stop the virus!
On
January 22nd, officials in Wuhan shut down all transportation in the city,
which is home to over 11 million people. They closed buses and subways, and
cancelled all flights and trains in and out of the city. The director general
of the WHO applauded the decision, saying that it would help control the
outbreak and slow the spread into other countries. Fifteen other cities, home
to a total of 46 million people, are locked down as well, The New York Times reported.
However,
other officials weren’t sure if these quarantines would be effective: “To my
knowledge, trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science,”
Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization’s representative in China, told
the Associated Press. “It has not been tried
before as a public health measure. We cannot at this stage say it will or it
will not work.”
Economic Impact
Gerard
Burg, senior international economist at the Australian bank NAB, said there
would be a “big flow-on effect outside China, especially in South-East
Asia because of the growing importance of Chinese tourism”.
He said
countries such as Thailand, which depend on China for around one quarter of its
10 million annual tourists, “really jumps out” because Thailand may be hesitant
about people travelling there from China and the Chinese, with many
cities locked down, and would not be able to travel.
Travel
restrictions are also a problem for any business that needs to move goods or
people around. Industrial supply chains will be affected. Some deliveries may
be disrupted and some will become more expensive.
There
will be lost economic activity as a result of people not being able or willing
to travel to work.
Consumer
spending on entertainment and gifts will also be affected. For entertainment,
many will be reluctant to take part in activities outside the home that could
lead to exposure to the virus.
There
has also been a surge in demand for surgical masks and gloves to
protect oneself against becoming infected. Shares in Chinese
companies that make these items - drugs and protective equipment - have seen
some sharp price rises.
On this
occasion there have been some negative consequences for stock
markets. Shares in Asia Pacific continued
to fall on Tuesday in the wake of heavy losses at the start of the week which
has seen the death toll from the outbreak in China almost double in two days to
.
South
Korea, where a fourth case was confirmed on Tuesday, saw its KOSPI index
fall more than 3% and Australia’s ASX200 was off 1.35%. Shares in
Europe and the US suffered similar heavy losses on Monday. The yuan,
China’s currency, dropped to its lowest level for a month.
Challenge in Sri Lanka
· Safeguarding Sri Lankan’ students and labour and bringing
them back to Sri Lanka from China is a big challenge.
· Chinese are contributing a lot into Sri Lanka’s economic growth
through tourism and some other leading development programmes but they
have been slow.
· Coronavirus is new to our country and also doctors have insufficient
experience to diagnose it while equipment is scarce.
· The demand for the masks has increased suddenly in the
market and this has put people in crisis.
Since this is a new disease, people are less aware of it.
Precautionary
measures of Sri Lanka
· President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued instructions to appoint a
National Action Committee to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in Sri
Lanka.
The Government has also established two 24-hour hotlines for
members of the public to call in if they have any questions regarding the
coronavirus. The numbers are 071-0107107 and 011-3071073.
Four thermal detection machines installed at BIA were being used to
screen all passengers arriving in the country, with both doctors and PHIs
placed on duty at the airport.
On-arrival visa for Chinese nationals was suspended
Applications made online will be scrutinised before visas are granted
Those allowed entry will be monitored throughout their stay by health authorities
Chinese nationals on work permits will also be subjected to checks by PHIs
Lankan students returning from Wuhan Province to be kept under surveillance at Diyatalawa Army Camp for two weeks
PHIs will carry out medical checks on ships before passengers disembark
Regional hospitals geared to house patients suffering from virus
The companies which are producing masks have been requested to produce more by the government.
Separate wards have also been allocated in the North Colombo General Hospital (Ragama) as well as the main government hospitals in Gampaha, Negombo, Kandy, Karapitiya, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Badulla, Ratnapura and Batticaloa to keep suspected patients in isolation.
Face masks are only one of the possible preventive measures. The
health authorities have announced several other safety guidelines: children,
expectant mothers and elders should especially avoid crowded places, while
others too should avoid them; avoid people suffering from colds and fever;
cover mouth with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing; discard used tissues
in a proper manner; wash hands regularly with soap or hand sanitizer and, avoid
touching the nose and face frequently. Those who have high fever, coughs,
colds, and respiratory difficulties for more than a day are advised to visit
the nearest Government health facility.
Postal services too will take precautionary measures when handling
parcels arriving from China.
The way forward to protect
· Travelers in China who feel sick should suspend further travel, see
a doctor immediately and contact the Sri Lankan embassy.
·
Anyone feeling sick within a month of returning from China should
isolate themselves from others, get medical attention and follow good hand and
respiratory hygiene. They should call the helpline number 071-0107107 and
011-3071073 and follow directions.
·
Inbound travel and tourism needs a safety regime. On-arrival visas
are not being issued to Chinese travelers as a temporary measure, but the
Government has to assure the travellers from the rest of the world that Sri
Lanka is taking all necessary steps to confront the Coronavirus challenge.
·
The public need not wait for the authorities to enforce safety
measures. Depending on how the scenario develops, the Government may be wise to
enforce the wearing of face masks in crowded places. After all, no one
complained when people had to go through metal detectors and undergo body
searches during the war.
·
If necessary, free face masks may have to be issued at entrances to
public places like railway stations, cinemas, shopping malls etc.
·
The Medical Research Institute (MRI) rose to the challenge of
developing a blood test locally. The Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in
Mulleriyava, is one of the best such facilities in Asia. Moreover, Sri Lanka’s
free healthcare system is open to foreigners enabling quick treatment.
·
The National Action Committee (NAC) on the Coronavirus issue, led
by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, must also hold discussions with
leaders of various sectors such as private healthcare, tourism, retail,
transport and education to evolve strategies for containment and prevention.
·
In Sri Lanka, all national entry points must be geared to monitor
incoming passengers not only from Asia but also from the rest of the world
using thermal scanners and other equipment and trained personnel.
For the public
·
Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and
water;
·
When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow
or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
·
Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
·
If you have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing seek
medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care
provider;
·
When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of
novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and
surfaces in contact with animals;
·
The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be
avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid
cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
Conclusion
Now our
new government has taken many good steps to get rid of the dangerous corona
virus. Likewise, the media is doing its greatest duty to educate the public.
People are slowly waking up, so we have to make sure that the people keep
us safe. Then we can restore our nation from this dangerous virus outbreak
from China.
S.Thanigaseelan,
References.
thanks bro, i am not able to read it
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