Open Letter to The Government and the People of West Bengal from WBDF
October 29, 2020
To,
Ms. Mamata Bandyopadhyay
Honb’le Chief Minister
Govt. Of West Bengal
Nabanna, Howrah
Respected Madam,
We like to draw the following facts to your kind attention and to the people and all political dispensation at large through your good office, regarding the Pandemic control and suggestions of the medical fraternity. In this regard it is worth mentioning that about 64 doctors in the state have made supreme sacrifice mostly in line of duty caring for Covid as well as Non-COVID patients.
The recent trends in number of cases vis-a-vis test number in West Bengal have remained almost static since last few days. The case numbers in 5 worst affected districts (Kolkata, North an d South 24 Paraganas, Howrah and Hooghly) remains to be a matter of concern. We need to really increase tests all-over the state. It is a pity that till now we could test about 44 thousand/day and even less in last couple of days. Awareness among people is sadly far less then expected. Section of the people at large have not followed the restrictions set by the Honb’le High court and already few more festivals are next to come. So situation may worsen with combined effect of non compliance of norms and mass gatherings.
So, we from West Bengal Doctors Forum are hereby again requesting the administration as well as our responsible citizens to restrain and control the spread of the virus. Depawali is a festival of lights and fire crackers and Covid is a disease mostly involving airways, so situation will be terrible if strict rules are not enforced for avoidance of fire crackers.
Another matter of concern is huge political rallies in various parts defying social norms of COVID prevention. This is sending a very wrong signal to the common people.
We need to understand, all is not well.
Also with the winter season approaching, we need to be more vigilant. Countries in Europe have already started to face a fresh wave of infection more lethal then before. Trace, Test, Isolate remains the key. Social norms need to be strictly imposed. In case of non compliance scope of penalisation need to be put in place. The medical fraternity is struggling against all odds and the patience and capacity is too stretched. We need to take visible, proactive steps in the right direction. Lip services won’t suffice. We need to understand the real time scenario and act prudently.
#Safe_Lives
#Save_Lives
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Punyabrata Goon
Dr. Rajiv Pandey
For West Bengal Doctors Forum, (WBDF)