Take early action

The Himalayan Times

20 March 2020

Take early action 

Almost 200,000 people from more than 150 countries have been infected with the deadly COVID-19, since it first appeared in China, killing thousands of people. The governments of many European countries are struggling to protect their citizens by adapting extraordinary precautionary measures. It has also affected some Asian countries. Countries from the Gulf region seem still safe; however, their governments have also started taking necessary measures to keep this deadly virus away from their soil. 

There does not seem to be any panic situation in the South Asian Countries including Nepal. However, the recent proposal of the Indian Prime Minister to jointly fight this pandemic disease has been wholeheartedly welcomed by its neighbouring countries. Nepal is lucky not to see any deaths so far from the virus. It could be the reason for the government not to be fully prepared for the worst situation. Let us hope such a situation will not arise. However, is our government’s health system capable of handling a possible outbreak of COVID-19? Time and again, health experts have been blaming the government and the concerned bodies for lack of preparedness in handling a possible outbreak.

On the other hand, traders and vendors seem to be taking advantage of this unforeseen situation. Police have confiscated thousands of face masks from different warehouses across the valley that were ready to be for sold in the black markets “Govt to sell 1.2 million confiscated masks” (THT, March 17, Page 3). Common people have started facing problems getting cooking gas, food and other commodities “ Artificial shortages of LPGs hits consumers” (THT, March 17, Page 3). The government’s concerned agencies need to be more vigilant to control black marketing and ensure smooth flow of essential goods so that the people will stop panicking. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj