Making Fervent appeal ‘to Covid’

P C  THOMAS

Covid-19, you are making your mysterious journey still around the world, and as a result we have an exceptional, historical and critical year and continued to Stay-safe-at-Home with the fourth phase extension of lockdown to keep ourselves from the attack.

You know, in a span of a few months, you have become the media's fancy, the world's biggest celebrity, and fought within the human race drastically in the world. We learn, you posses no specific languages, caste or creed. Being purely secular, you can communicate anybody regardless of gender disparity - the rich, the mighty, the senior, junior, layman. No society is spared whether national or regional or local.

In the modern world, we have doubted whether power is great or money is, but we have learnt now that these are not at all great compared to your devastating effects. We have seen various tsunamis, torrents, floods, droughts, fires and epidemics, but they were constrained to certain places and the rest of the life went on normal. But on the contrary, you now dominate all over the world killing peoples mercilessly!.

With your free entry to the world, without even a passport/visa, the world is now going through a horrible moment with intense health problems, financial crisis and mental imbalance. The normal existence of people has defected horribly and the defect was affected effective way of human life.  The life seems an endless series of problems - Vehicles became airless, petrol dried, ration finished and people became lonely and disconnected.

We know that you have the talent to live like a ghost and can rob life and health of people as there is no definite cure for your infection, no vaccine discovered.  We implore you Corona let us know when you will stop your terrorism?

Good hygiene practices help reduce the virus spread

Even this Covid times, it is seen that many people have the habit of spitting anywhere and everywhere, while walking or driving their vehicles

P C  THOMAS

India, currently under fourth stage lockdown, is fighting back against COVID-19 breaking the chain of transmission to prevent the attack. The fourth phase of ‘Stay safe at home’ intends to protect ourselves from the spread COVID-19. This Covid times categorically proved that it is impossible to live in the world without proper social hygiene and discipline.

During this lockdown, one day when there was no cash in my hand, I had to go to my nearest ATM to take out money, wearing mask and keeping hand sanitizers in pocket. On the way, one guy who drove fast in front of me spitted on the road, and his mouth liquid splashed in my hand. I think, perhaps he may not be the one who live in this novel corona world. 

Even this Covid times, it is seen that many people have the habit of spitting anywhere and everywhere, while walking or driving their vehicles. We must, however, identify that the safety of others is essential to our own safety.  The Covid-19 has taught us that people can succeed in this resistance only by stripping down their life.

The Union Health Ministry has recently asked all states to prohibit the use and spitting of smokeless tobacco in public places to avert the spread of the Covid-19. The ministry said that the chewing smokeless tobacco products, paan masala etc increase the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit. In the light of the above, the MP government has banned spitting in public places to contain further of the deadly COVID-19 infection. The government decided to slap a penalty of Rs.1000 on those who are found violating the ban by spitting in public places.  Wearing face mask has also been made mandatory for the people in the state.

While the virus outbreak is a serious public health concern, we need to give up many of our negative social habits and styles that are wreaking havoc on our health and move into a new culture of wearing masks always without spitting on roads so as to ensure our personal hygiene, optimal health and a sense of social well-being.  If we go out wearing mask habitually, there would be less inclination to spit. Experts point out that if we are healthy we only need to wear a mask even when we are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 infection. Therefore, masks can now be an indispensable part of future life, in addition to all safety steps to reduce virus infections. In essence, we need to become new people who are symbolic of vigilance, care and hygiene to fight against the common enemy of Covid-19.

Let this lockdown not lock your spirit down

P C  THOMAS

The entire world is facing one of the greatest challenges the human history has ever faced through the spread of Corona virus. All over the world there are lockdowns. It is an unprecedented experience for many people during this lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost everybody is passing through a critical juncture in their lives and finding it difficult to cope with the sudden change in their lifestyle. Staying safe at home, however, is most likely the best precaution we can take at the present time to defend ourselves from COVID-19 attack. 

As the virus battle rages, many people are finding Covid19 lockdown comfortable and work from home safely. If you are not one among them, you need to make this time productive rather than becoming idle or getting depressed sitting at home.  Even in the time of social distancing, one can still connect with  one’s neighbors and friends and offer support to those in need.

With the supply of daily necessaries shrinking up, this is a good time to reconsider what you should regard as your essential commodities. Try to become simple and content with what you have at your hand during this lockdown period. It is useful for the future too.

During this lockdown what a better way than reading books, brushing up one’s vocabulary to improve our language proficiency  and share your knowledge and reflections with your friends which will enhance your knowledge of people, society, history and culture. Think about yourself and reflect on your future goals, physical, mental and spiritual health, career aspirations and much more.

You can also unlock your artistic talents and aptitudes. Try your hand at drawing, painting, photography, writing songs, poems etc.  If you are interested in cooking, you can find great recipes online and can finally spend time cooking things never as before, even though you are under stringent budget. 

You can build your body in the lockdown.  Many yoga and fitness centers are offering online-classes at this time, which you can use profitably to improve your health, both physical and mental. It is the best time you can indulge in exercising and making certain that you keep yourself healthy and fit.  

If you want to experience mental and spiritual peace, put on some music and give meditation a try. Meditation will also help you reduce stress, boost energy, develop immunity system to combat the virus attack. Choosing any of these activities will give you peace of mind and enable you to do complete justice to your free time. You can also explore many other activities in line with your taste and aptitude.

You can get rid of smoking, alcoholic addiction etc., and keep yourself healthy and disciplined. During this time of crisis, it is important that you together with your family come closer to God by worshiping and praying to God Almighty. A few moments of supplications and spiritual thought can release you from your day long unpleasant pressure and give you peace and harmony within yourself and then you can pass such experience on to others. 

Let not this lockdown really locks your spirit down. Many possibilities are open to you and I have suggested some of them. A famous dictum says: Do it, do it now!

Lockdown Impact on Employment

PC THOMAS :  Having no significant gains from the 40-days shutdown in India's fight to slow the spread of COVID-19, it has become necessary for the government to extent the lockdown by two more weeks from May 4. Stay safe and well at home!

The nationwide lockdown to fight Covid-19 pandemic is possibly going to bring about immense occupation misfortunes, pay cuts and stop on recruiting for job over the next few quarters, subsequently giving blues to India's troubled work story.

To share my story: I have been working as a Content Writer, producing contents for some companies.  As a result of the lockdowns, with no improvement in the business, the companies faced a number of challenges to sustain their business and as a result, hurrah!, I lost my job in the very first phase of lockdown.

Covid-19 crisis has adversely affected not only in my case and in similar ones, but also all the employment sectors across the country. The virus and the subsequent economic shocks have impacted the world of work across verticals. There is terrible news about the continuing spread of the virus and the delay in discovering effective vaccine to contain the Covid-19 virus has led most employees to vex about the job loss or salary cut.

With hardly any career openings in the market foreseen at least for the next few months and what happens after the lockdown is lifted, God alone knows! At least for now, there is no clarity on how long it would take for the companies to pick up.

It is commonly seen, as retail sales have dropped completely on account of the lockdown, automotive dealers encounter several challenges to revive their business. Hotel, travel & hospitality industry and other businesses of Gems & Jewellary, Handicrafts, Textile and garments, have been hit hard.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, it is further witnessed that many companies have been cancelling interviews as there is lockdown in many parts of the country. However, some technology-oriented companies are hiring and conducting interviews by using alternative channels such as, Zoom, Skype etc., but there is no appointment taking place.

According to the latest assessment by the International Labour Organization or ILO, the economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global joblessness by near 25-million. And if the impact continues for a few more months, however, there could be a tragedy of continuous job losses across different sectors in India. What a difficult time we are thrown into! 

International Labour Day: Nation Salute You Labourers

The day of May first, known as May Day, is celebrated as ‘International Labour Day’ in many countries to recognize the efforts of millions of labours and helpers in the world a better place to live in. It is also called ‘Workers' Day’ or ‘The International Workers day'.  It is a unique occasion when the people of the world commemorate the true dignity of the working class. On this day workers gather and showcase their strength that signifies how competently they can struggle to bring in positive developments for the working of the society. Therefore, on this day we thank all the labourers around the world for their strength and efforts.

Unfortunately, this year 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, in a special way we are reminded to think about the plight of labourers. All countries in the world are in midst of social and economic shutdown, and face a difficult time for those who survive on daily labour. Many of these labouers’ lives have been abruptly uprooted by the lockdown, placing them in very precarious situations. Thousands of migrant labourers have tried to walk home to their villages and some are held up at various state borders.

The Covid-19 crisis has not only affected the daily waged labours, but also many business people are experiencing severe economic difficulties. Covid-19 has currently stalled the employment career, businesses all over the world whereby people are becoming unemployed. Factories, small industries, production, construction and operations have come to a standstill. While new jobs are struck in the lockdown, there is an ongoing livelihood crisis of crores of employees due to the shutdown of industries.

Since the Covid-19 virus spreads easily to the weak and daily labourers on account of their poor health and immunity system, Governments world-wide should take new steps to preserve and promote the health of labourers considering their plight and the poverty they endure. It is also attractive to provide large-scale unemployment allowance for helping the migrant workers through the COVID crisis.  The thought that goes in our mind is: how long will we have to wait for getting vaccine against the Covid 19 virus?

Labourers, all over the world, don’t lose hope! You will overcome the current Covid-crisis and you will eat the fruit of your labour. You are true heroes of every nation and the ladder through which economy of every nation climbs up. Certainly, blessings and prosperity will always be yours!! Stay 

COVID-19:Panic grips Malayalees in Gulf

P C  THOMAS

The fast spread of COVID-19 in the Gulf countries has become a major cause of concern in Kerala, which has a large section of its population working there, a lot of them are ordinary workers and labourers. It's been more than half a century since the Malayalee Diaspora working in the Gulf countries. A Malayalee who sweats in the sand for home and country has a defining role in the economic growth of Kerala.

The role of the Gulf Malayalee in the state's economic development cannot be overstated. As per estimate, more than 30 lakh people from Kerala are working in the Gulf countries. Also, there are millions of Malayalees in other countries of Asia, Europe, the US and Africa.

According to a rough estimate, the overseas Malayalees send a total of Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Kerala every year. It is estimated that the remittances of the Gulf Malayalees play a vital role in keeping the Human Development Index (HDI) of Kerala on par with the developed nations. Would the remittances from the Gulf to Kerala continue to flow as usual? 

With the spread of COVID 19 in the UAE and other Gulf countries, the Indian community is in a state of panic. Thousands lost their jobs. Thousands are on unpaid leave. In this situation it is desirable for them to return home than languishing there with anxiety and uncertainty. Therefore it is necessary to bring them back.

Many Malayalees in the Gulf need immediate help. There are many who worry about having to pay rent and buy food. It is absolutely necessary that special schemes are to be prepared for rehabilitation of those who have lost their jobs. The need of the hour is to reach out to our people who toil in foreign countries to develop our country!