There has been a debate over what should have been or what decisions were taken later than sooner. It is not the time to debate. It is time to take quick steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives.
This is most important because our mega projects like the Padma bridge and trading might be seriously affected. If we survive, we can finish our works eventually, but a dead man has no use.
This author would like to take this opportunity to propose to Honourable Prime Minister to shut down Bangladesh from rest of the world and capital Dhaka from rest of the country as it is the centre of all government activities including her own office. Keeping the policy and decision makers safe along with those who will implement the safety strategies is the call of the hour. Better now than later as NOW is the time for avoiding any disaster.
Many Dhakaites are of the opinion that the government should go for lockdown, deploy the armed forces to ensure that the returnees followed quarantine guidelines and entry to Dhaka be banned from other parts of the country, They said consumer goods could be transhipped without letter the staffs of vehicles carrying the goods to enter the capital city.
They feel the by-elections should be put back as it is not a national election. “Is life important or elections,” asked one.
Our airport should be shut and no mercy should be shown for those arriving along with airlines who ferry these people. If the big powers can take tough action, why not us? Why should the government be accused of not doing this or that. It is better to do something that will benefit all, than not to do those to avoid being criticised handful of people who do not have the good test of appreciating anything.
A number of videos in the YouTube speaks of some great expatriate Bangladeshis who have put their lives at risk by not putting for their country of birth in a crisis. They are self-home quarantine in some areas of Italy. There are similar cases in Britain and the USA.
One Bangladeshi born British Imran Ahmed Chowdhury wrote to this author that he and his family were staying put and have opted to help the local community in Northampton.
His “Saffron” restaurant is well known for being among the best curry houses and
A Northampton restaurant is giving under-pressure National Health Service staff caught up in the COVID-19 outbreak a much-needed boost by offering them a cut-price curry, while free meals for anyone aged over 70 who is self-isolating.
Imran said: “This virus is sending the whole of the UK into virtual lockdown but it is also shining a light on the incredible people working on the frontline of the NHS. They do an amazing job day in, day out and we want to do something to show them how much we appreciate them
Besides, a silent panic buying is underway in the capital after fear of getting infected with the deadly coronavirus due to the ignorance of quarantine rules by several hundred expatriate Bangladeshis who returned to their native homes over the past several days.
The news of returnees from severely hit Italy and violating home quarantine rules have sent jitters among the people in general. The items being sold at an unusually extra quantities include rice, lentil, onion, were the favourite along with sanitizers.
* Writer: Nadeem Qadir, Consulting Editor of the Daily Sun and UN Dag Hammarskjold Fellow
BDST: 1200 HRS, MAR 21, 2020
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