Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 7: India is the third worst-hit country by the COVID-19 virus after the US and Brazil. The virus has now spread to the entire nation and we are receiving nearly 1,00,000 new cases every day in India. It is highly contagious and can become potentially dangerous especially in elderly people with co-morbidities and people with low immunity. However, the good news is that its virulence has come down slightly and health care providers are now better equipped with the required medicines. Very soon, we are expecting a vaccine to be available in the market. Interestingly, a sero-surveillance survey conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has found 57% of the samples from slums and 16% from the non-slum population in Mumbai had already developed COVID-19 antibodies in their blood. If this is so, then most of Mumbai will soon reach the stage of herd immunity giving some relief to the people of Mumbai.
Gokula has been very supportive towards the members and the society at large by helping needy people by giving direct financial assistance and providing monthly ration. They have provided monthly ration to the children of 200 families studying at Dharavi Municipal School and construction workers working at the Gokul site. They have also provided financial assistance to more than 225 families belonging to the underprivileged members of society residing in Mumbai, Mangaluru and the Udupi region. They have provided Rs 5000 per family for their monthly ration and medicines to about 125 families in Mangaluru and Udupi taluk and about 100 families in Mumbai.
Treatment of COVID-19 disease is very expensive and needs prolonged hospitalization and medicines are expensive too. Hence they have now extended this financial support to the members who suffered from COVID-19. They have extended this financial support to our members who have suffered from covid-19 and need hospitalization and also moral support to reduce mental stress. They have also donated a substantial amount to the PM care fund.
Treatment of covid cases is not only treating the patient but also the patient's relatives have to be educated to maintain complete isolation with proper care. The entire family has to be quarantined to prevent spread in the community. They also need to be educated about the need for proper testing for early detection. It is necessary to educate society about the covid affected patients that they are not untouchable forever. After 15 days of isolation or once the report is negative, they are as normal as anyone else. A lot of time is spent educating the society at large to erase the social stigma by conducting lectures video presentations and educating the common man. Let us all join hands to minimise the human suffering and try to eradicate COVID-19 disease said BSKB Association president, Dr Suresh S Rao Kateelu.