Dr.K.Veeramani
President
Dravidar Kazhagam
The Pandemic COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) has turned the entire world topsy – turvy. The dire need of the hour is an absolute spirit of unity. All of us have to combat with joint effort
Advice of Medical Practitioners
COVID-19 is a serious contagious disease which has spread nearly over 172 countries frightening millions of people. Since it is an infectious epidemic it can rapidly spread by close contacts. It is caused by cough, sneeze, phlegm, runny nose or fever. Hence, social distancing is advised by medical practitioners.
It is better to avoid close proximity to people around us. Using a hand kerchief while sneezing is better than stifling it. Staying a little away from others and covering the face with a mask is a great precaution.
According to doctors, prevention is the best remedial measure while facing this universal disaster. Soap and water are ideal for protection. Washing hands frequently is strongly advised. Upon returning home and before lunch and supper, hands must be washed. Hand wash eight to ten times per day destroys virus germs, according to medical experts and researchers.
Precaution in All Respects
Negligence in precaution would be disastrous. The objective of repeated advice is not to create panic in society. The purpose is to alert and create an awareness. We have to avoid fear and combat this pandemic with self-confidence and courage, realizing our responsibility. This is the right moment to use our reasoning power and act before it is too late. Unreasonable fear is folly.
Untouchability was practised long ago by the impact of varnashrama evil. Unapproachability and unseeability were also there, distancing even intellectuals. That was an outcome of fanatic segregations. But today’s untouchability is an outlet of our scientific spirit, our education and knowledge.
Social distancing of the yesteryears was a sign of human folly and ignorance. But today social distancing is a sign of our wisdom to save precious human life. At this juncture, it is wise to avoid hand shake while meeting people. Hand shake has been a gesture of affection, respect and love. All of us accepted it without any gender bias. Hence quite naturally people would extend their hands even today, since habits die hard. But we must dare to avoid it. A sincere smile is infact enough to show friendliness.
More than seventy five thousand patients who were recently affected by this deadly virus have returned home after complete cure, which proves that it is curable, if treated in time. Six thousand five hundred people perished largely due to delayed treatment, negligence and lack of preventive measures.
Every human life is precious. None should depart from our human race on account of this pandemic. Battling it with a never – say – die spirit is the need of the hour.
Grievance of the State and Central Governments
It cannot be predicted how, when and whom COVID – 19 would attack. Hence the State and Central Governments are deeply worried over the uncertainty prevailing. The World Health Organization (WHO) insists on creating greater awareness among citizens. Outfits involved in all public services, like that of ours, should do this whenever need arises. It must be done without threatening and creating panic. Based on all these factors, the Director of Periyar Medical Mission Dr. R.Gowthaman, recently released an educative and informative statement, compiling opinions of eminent medical practitioners, in support of his crystal clear explanations.
Avoid Travelling As Far As Possible
The elderly, old and aged persons could be less immune to such attacks of virus. They need extreme care. Both the young and the old should avoid long distance journey and short distance travel, as far as possible. Generally contagious diseases such as avian flu and swine flu had spread in the past by mindless travelling of people. CORONA VIRUS had its roots in China. It has spread at a lightning speed mostly through people who migrated from China to various parts of the world. The travelers have been the couriers and carriers of this deadly virus.
Any Body Can Become the Prey
To be over confident about one’s sound body and pristine health is another folly. Avoiding medical checkup boasting about sound health is hazardous. Diseases arrive uninvited. Any one of us might be disease – prone. People who had adamantly avoided hospital visits and medication had ceased to exist as most of us observed in the past. The solace is that COVID – 19 is not a killer – disease, provided we adopt preventive measures. But we must make a note of the fact that it may take at least two weeks for the symptoms to manifest in us, as per the study of medical experts.
Therefore the State and Central governments insist upon self imposed isolation and social distancing. Public events and celebrations are to be avoided. People affected should be quarantined. Some suggest gurgling mouth at night using salt mixed in water. Advice of others should not be ignored, since their experiences are reflected in it.
This is not the moment for us to be self – centered and selfish. There is dire need of humanism. The lives and families of other people are as important as those of ours. Man is basically a social animal who cannot exist like an island. We must become self-appointed guardians of mankind and human society. Waging a lone war with self-control would make it possible.
Let us Practise Self Imposed Isolation
We Must Isolate Ourselves As The First Sign of Social Distancing. This does not mean discarding society. Minimizing contacts and interacting only when it is essential is a preventivemeasure. We draw a dividing line to quarantine ourselves for our safety and also that of others.
The Contribution of Others
Traders and shop keepers must now be service oriented. Businessmen, entrepreneurs and commercial establishments should not be profit oriented at least at this moment of crisis. They must avoid selling anything for an inflated price. We are all fighting for a common cause. Without discrimination of any sort, traders must exhibit unity in this moment of adversity.
CORONA VIRUS disaster has already caused economic slowdown. Social life is in doldrums. Down trodden people are knee – deep in trouble. Labourers who depend on daily wages bear the brunt of the virus attack. Rulers at the State and Centre must mitigate their sufferings by relief measures and safe guard their livelihood.
Humanism – Greater than all other “isms”
In establishing universal humanism, the dispute over theism and atheism is unwarranted. Humanism is greater than every other system of thought. All of us need shoulders to lean on. Lending helping hands to one another is the sign of true humanism.
Thanthai Periyar’s View
With a philosophical outlook, Periyar once said – “Sparrows build nests only for themselves – never for other birds. It is only man, who builds houses for other, even if he has no shelter to live.”
Hence, we, who live as social animals, must think over and realize our responsibilities at this moment of crisis. We must determine our contribution to society. Commencing our service with our self control, we have to move to the next level and think of creating and spreading awareness among people about this global disaster.
Not all can afford soap, sanitizers and disinfectants. Hence, voluntary social service organizations and philanthropists could distribute such products to the under privileged people. Common men should be educated to use all these germicides properly and safely. People must be taught the right method of hand wash.
It is equally important to encourage and support doctors, nurses and sanitary maintenance workers who restlessly work for us. Every problem has a solution and nothing in life is impossible. So, there is no need to be panic. Fear is folly. This crisis is a temporary phase. It is heard that drugs to drive away this virus are being invented. Our scientists are working on a war – footing basis. Hence, all hope is not lost yet. There is much comfort even among all the discomforts.
Once again I express my sincere hope that every one of you would be alert and strive for this noble cause.
Long live the glory of PERIYAR! Long live our invincible Rationalism!
(Excerpts from the interview with
Dr. K. Veeramani, the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) on 19th March 2020 to
PERIYAR WEB VISION)
