Letters to The Editor

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to highlight a very important issue that we are forgetting in this COVID-19 situation. It is the vaccination for chickenpox to the kids. I personally visited GMC slum area to distribute some gifts to the children and I found many of them are having chickenpox and they have not been vaccinated. Varicella is the commonest viral infection among children, and it's highly communicable with an infection rate of 90% in close contacts. There is an urgent need to identify communities and unvaccinated individuals at risk and should be regulated by the health workers so that the highly contagious communicable disease can be checked in time.

Through this, I would like to request the authorities to take some preventive measures before it's too late.

Julie Kakoty,

Guwahati

Ending the military rule in Myanmar

With more than 600 people killed by the security forces since February 1, 2021 in Myanmar for their protest against the military rule in the country, the military regime in Myanmar should take steps to restore peace in the country. Everyone in Myanmar wants that democracy returns to the country early, and an elected government rules the country in place of a military rule. In fact, restoration of peace in Myanmar is possible only when political detainees are released and democracy is restored.

Most people in Myanmar are against the military rule, and the country has been witnessing mass protests against the military regime that overthrew an elected government of the 'National League for Democracy' (NLD) on February 1, 2021. Direct military rule is rare in world politics. Accordingly, it is desirable that the current military regime in Myanmar ends its rule early and hands over power to an elected government.

Maheswar Deka,

Rangia.

Bihu amid pandemic

The Bihu committees of Guwahati have opposed the SOPs issued by the government. The SOP mentions that all Bihu functions must end by 11 pm and also the office-bearers of the Bihu committees must undergo COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to start of the programme and also after the conclusion. I being a conscious citizen fully support the government's decision. Elsewhere in India the situation is very grim. Already a few States have declared partial lockdown but thankfully we have not reached that point. What's wrong if we conclude the Bihu functions by 11 pm. Apart from lowering the risk of transmission, it will also reduce road accidents. Generally we have witnessed that after midnight road accidents increase primarily due to drunken driving. The Bihu committees are of the view that they have completed 80% of the preparations and have even paid advance amount to the artistes. Taking into consideration the current situation they can start functions early say by 4 pm and wind up by 11 pm.

Another objection which the Bihu committees are raising is regarding the COVID-19 test for the office-bearers. I see no reason why the members are objecting it. Doing the mandatory COVID-19 test before he/she joins the social committee is good for the other members as well.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Guwahati.