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Opinion

Thoughts on Sudha Ramchandran’s piece, ‘The Covid-19 Catastrophe in Bangladesh’


Bangladeshpost
Published : 12 May 2020 08:51 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 05:31 PM

Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed

(Continued from last day’s section)

It is inevitable to mention that, no unrest, protests or unlawful reaction were seen or reported regarding the Islamic parties and fundamental groups after the government issued restrictions relating to gathering during prayers in the mosques. 

Neither was it reported in any newspaper or television or social media as to people going to the mosque in groups and making gatherings nor any objection made from the administration or the police have to tackle any abrupt incident relating to this. 

Even after Maulana Jubayer Ahmed Ansari’s  Janaza prayer incident several strict measures were taken by the local administration including locking down the nearest villages; nevertheless, no protests or violence were seen or have been reported.

In fact, it is noticed that the Islamic Scholars of the country have welcomed and obeyed such an order of the government. Mizanur Rahman Azhari, who is one of the most viral and popular Islamic Speaker of the country, in his verified Facebook page, wrote on 7th April 2020 that: “Although late, after several meetings, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has made a firm decision not to allow ordinary Muslims to go to the mosque. 

Please, at least now everyone should pray at home.  In fact, it is better to present fatwas or instructions in a simple way than to twist them. If we had reached this decision earlier, perhaps the corona infection would have been further reduced. Still, I would like to thank you for this timely decision.” 

The millions of his followers were seen to welcome and accept what Azhari has said.

Therefore, it can be said undoubtedly that, the Muslims (or in the words of Sudha: religious fundamentalists) have seen to cooperate the Government during this crisis period, and the two incident (mass prayer in Raipur and the janaza prayerincident) that mentioned by the writer is no more than isolated events.

Sudha further stated, “Since March 7, when Bangladesh announced its first coanfirmed cases of COVID-19, the number of infections in the country has grown significantly. As of April 29, 7,103 Bangladeshis have tested positive for COVID-19 and 163 of them have died of the disease. 

Coronavirus infections remained low throughout March and it was only in April that the numbers began to surge. Cases per day touched a high on April 28 when 549 new infections were reported in 24 hours; a new record was set the very next day, with 641 new cases. 

Although the global trend points to a higher incidence of COVID-19 infections and related fatalities among those above the age of 60 years, in Bangladesh, this age group accounts for just 10 percent of all confirmed cases. Bangladesh is also the only country in the world where coronavirus-related fatalities outstrip recoveries.”

The steps taken by the Bangladesh government to deal with the coronavirus from the very beginning are admirable. And these initiatives were well appreciated in International media. To keep Bangladesh risk free from the coronavirus from the beginning, Bangladesh government ordered the airport authorities to check the passengers’ bodily temperature with the thermal scanner and asked them to provide the passengers a health declaration form to be filled-in by them. 

The form contains information on passengers recent travel history and whether they have fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms. With this initiative, the government successfully detect a vast of number suspected COVID-19 affected passengers and consequently sent them to state isolation centres or to designated hospital if found necessary. 

However, the government also made it mandatory for every returnee, irrespective of their screening at the airport, to stay at home quarantine for 14 days. It had been reported in various newspapers and televisions that how effectively the local administration worked day and night to ensure that the returnees are following the 14 days home quarantine order. 

It was seen to fine them, punish them, those who violated the said order. Later, the government started to suspend flights to all countries in an attempt prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Moreover, the government rearranged the celebration of the grand “Mujib Borsho” on 17 March which was supposed to be held through a grand rally. The decision was taken to avoid massive public gatherings amid the outbreak of coronavirus.  Furthermore, to keep the spread coronavirus under control, the government shut down school, colleges, universities and all other educational institutions on 17th March which then extended in phases, and now it has been extended to 30th of May. 

In the meantime, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a conference said that, if it is found to be necessary, the period of holiday for the educational institutions shall be extended to September. This shows government’s zero tolerance policy towards stopping the coronavirus spread. 

To ensure stay home policy, the government started providing relief to the poor so that they would not have to go out. The deployment of the Army, Police patrols and surveillance across the country helped to ensure that people do not roam outside the home unnecessarily and wear mask. 

And regarding the number of Test, the country had only one testing lab on 8th March when the first COVID-19 case was detected. The tests had only been carried out by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) for some time to monitor and analyze the situation centrally. 

After that, the government expanded the test labs across the country in a short period of time. It also engages private healthcare institutions and private hospitals to increase testing rate. Besides, in an effort to inspire the doctors to give treatment to COVID-19 patients, the government distributed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and declared economic package (including health insurance package) for the health sector. 

It is true that the number of people infected with COVID-19 began to increase gradually in April, making it crossing 500+ everyday; however, it is equally true that, the number could have been an unexpected per day in this populated country should the government not taken the aforesaid measures timely. Now its eye catching that, although the number of recoveries in April was below the death toll, nonetheless, the situation changed completely in May. 

Every day the news of the recovery of more than hundreds of people is coming to media. Even the news of the recovery of nearly a thousand people on 3rd of May has brought relief to the peoples’ mind. Till 8th May, the number of death so far was 206, whereas the number of recovery reached 2101. The difference clearly shows how successfully coronavirus related recoveries outstrip fatalities.

To conclude, we can say that everyone must appreciate the fact that Bangladesh could maintain low rates of COVID-19 positive case until that day. 

Therefore, facts on the ground prove the perception of a celebrated columnist of India as wrong. Perception based on two events of mass gathering does not necessarily reflect Bangladesh or its people. They may be religious but not fanatic. They have the maturity and they understand the seriousness of this Covid-19.  


Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed is an advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court