A group of social activists across India wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray stating the steps they feel the state government should take going ahead, at a time when the COVID-19 scare is almost in its third degree, community transmission stage.
"We request that a mass examination be conducted. Those who show signs and symptoms of cold, cough and fever should be comprehensively and preferentially screened and in that regard an increase in the number of testing facilities is required. More financial provisions should be announced to strengthen the public health system and the government must provide adequate facilities for inspection, specialty beds in hospitals, detachment rooms, ventilators, masks and sanitizers and other necessary amenities. Moreover, we urge that treatment of coronavirus affected patients be made free in private hospitals," said Ulka Mahajan of Sarvahara Aandolan.
Numerous other points that are listed in the letter include: The Central government must provide adequate financial assistance to state governments which in turn must make available a sum of Rs 5000 to those with public accounts and beneficiaries in the below poverty line segement(BPL) so as to enable them to seek optimum healthcare for themselves. At the same time without discriminating between the BPL and the APL (above poverty line) segments, all card holders should be given free grains for a period of one month from the public distribution system. For this, 7.5 million tonnes of reserves in the godowns of Food Corporation of India should be used. The Kerala government as well as the Uttar Pradesh government have taken similar decisions.
The decision to provide onions and potatoes at ration shops is welcome but these should be made available at discounted rates and pulses and sugar should also be made available. The Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme should be extended for seven days, ensuring that all those who ask for work should be given work. Arrangements must also be made to provide food to students by way of the school meal plan.
Since a number of sectors are hit by the spread of the disease the government must try and provide them with financial assistance on the condition that the factory or industry will not be closed in the next three months. This includes extending financial help to those workers who are in the informal and unorganized sector whose livelihoods have been affected. Workers who want to stay home due to the ongoing coronavirus scare should receive full paid medical leave. Banks should be allowed to collect loans from small, medium enterprises and retail traders for one year. Shivbhojan Yojana should be expanded and make it available to the workers. Aanganwadi nutrition must be upgraded for children, pregnant women and the elderly and eggs should be included. This has been done in other states.
With the help of the corporate sector and charitable organizations, an urgent health care system should be set up and Counseling centers should be set up to take care of the mental health of patients and their families, as well as to maintain social harmony. Temporary shelters should be set up for the homeless. The deadline for payment of electricity and water bills should be extended. Cleaning staff is not able to work from home, considering that they have to work more, their wages should be increased. They should also be provided with uniforms, masks, gloves, sanitizers, soaps, and slippers quickly and free of charge.
