THE Sindh government is being much appreciated for taking immediate preventive action in the wake of coronavirus threat. In this connection, the closure of wedding halls, schools, etc., and putting in place necessary medical infrastructure are good steps to avoid the spread of the pandemic.

But enforcing the orders has been weak point as far as the PPP’s history in Sindh is concerned. The ban on polythene bags by the Sindh government is a case in point where polythene bags are still in use like before the ban.

In parts of Dadu district, police have reportedly raided wedding halls and sealed them. Private medical clinics with a huge number of patients are asked to refer the patients to government facilities and avoid crowds of the patients and their attendants.

Another serious threat in the present circumstances is the public transport. We see in the vans four passages huddled together on the seats meant for three commuters, while buses, jeeps and other mode of public transportation are overcrowded.

Many hotels remain open as before. Enforcing the ban on public gathering in most remote rural parts will be an uphill task for law enforcement personnel.

Civil society, media and youth volunteers have stepped in to support government efforts and are running awareness campaign, but there is a section of the communities which is misguided and feels there is no threat of coronavirus.

The government and all segments of society should take this threat seriously. Although the closure of schools, wedding halls, etc., will affect the already poor state of our education and livelihood of the daily wagers and small business owners, we have no other way to deal with the disaster, because governments the world over are opting for a lockdown.

The Sindh government should, therefore, ensure its orders regarding the lockdown are effectively followed.

Gulsher Panhwer

Johi

(2)

OVER 200 people have been affected by coronavirus in Sindh. The Sindh government’s response to coronavirus is commendable. Despite the fact that the federal government often cuts Sindh’s due share in terms of funds, the way the Sindh government is making efforts to protect people from coronavirus deserves praise.

Well done Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for being active in these times of crisis! People now expect him to continue this performance at every level.

Today, I feel a true sense of the definition of Thomas R. Dye for public policy in which he said “What government chooses to do and what not chooses to do is public policy.” This time the government has chosen to do something forcefully by combating coronavirus with a different approach.

The Sindh government should now inform the people of coronavirus through information and educational material in hard and soft form in several languages, including Marwari, Dhatki, Brahvi and other local dialects so the common people may know about the virus and learn how to remain safe from it.

Social media, television, radio, and all possible sources of information and dissemination should be used at broad scale in order to combat coronavirus.

Furqan Hyder Shaikh

Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2020