Coronavirus and Lamka
By N.Neihsial
The world is currently going through the fear of global epidemic due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus in the Wuhan city of China. The number of death and infected persons in different countries are increasing day by day. I saw a WhatsApp news item that one person of Imphal who recently returned from Hong Kong is also suspected to be suffering from this incurable or unknown viral disease. This is a great concern for everybody. It must immediately raise an alarm in the minds of state Govt authorities and try to prevent any occurrence in the state or nearby areas.
The coronavirus per se is not unknown to the world medical authorities. But this particular virus strain seems to be different and a muted one from the previous known coronaviruses. That’s the reason why they are not available to identify, isolate and contain it immediately. We know in the world of bacteria and viruses, they are daily mutating. There is constant race between the pharmaceutical (medical) world and constantly mutating germs, bacteria and viruses.
The present coronavirus is reportedly emanating from the animal world. These carrier animals might have been immune from the virus. But when they get transmitted to human beings; they are fatal and at the same time get muted constantly. Since the human beings are of the same group of cells/ genes (I don’t know the medical term), they can be easily transmitted to one another through physical contact or through the normal air. That’s the reason why the virus is spreading fast and fatal.
Please look at the state of cleanliness in public places of Lamka. The main public areas are the markets. They are dusty, dirty and unkempt as could be seen by anybody. The vegetables are sold on the road sides, uncover and probably unwashed. Of course, we do wash and cooked at home. The worst would be the meat markets at Tuibong, New Bazaar and New Lamka. They are dirty; smelly of animal bloods and faeces. These market areas are definitely the ideal breeding and spreading ground for diseases, particularly of epidemic type like coronavirus. There is an immediate need from the state and District authorities to pay attention to this.
We all know that the state and local Govt are utterly weak and perhaps, corrupt if I may say so. But this epidemic will not give concessions and consideration. If any epidemic breaks out, it’s the poor and the marginalized groups that are going to bear the brunt. Therefore, it is suggested that the District authorities in consultation with leaders of civil society, philanthropic organizations etc should immediately clean up the market area, particularly the meat markets, set permanent sanitation standards, help to organize the vendors into organized body, if not already done, and maintain public market cleanliness for all times to come. I have the vision for my Lamka. Please do not allow it to get shattered by your inactivity and indifference. Otherwise, I will have heartbreaking moments and you will get enduring curses from the future generations. Let’s arise and meet the challenge right now.