Confusion as several shops open

‘No Easing Of Curbs’ Statement Comes Late

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.04.2020

A large number of shops, including upmarket coffee shops, hardware stores and salons opened for business on Monday morning as confusion reigned over easing of the lockdown.

This is because until Monday afternoon the state government had not made any announcement that the lockdown curbs will not be relaxed and will remain as strict as ever.

The Union government had issued guidelines indicating relaxation of lockdown for certain shops. Senior government officials were clueless on Sunday night when asked if the lockdown would continue under Greater Chennai Corporation limits on Monday.

Traders told TOI shops in the Broadway area opened for business. Across north Chennai, residents reported that establishments selling construction material were open and that plumbers and other workmen were active.

Cops told TOI that salons in Washermenpet, Tondiarpet and Royapuram area remained open. “We were also confused whether we should impose the lockdown strictly as there were no clear instructions. That’s why we took it easy today. From tomorrow, it will be strict as usual,” said a police officer.

Traders association leader Vikram Raja told TOI that establishments selling construction material and hardware stores were open in the morning, but shut by1pm.

“By afternoon, it became clear the lockdown would be extended till May 3. We support the decision,” he said. This was despite grave losses to several small-time traders, he said, adding that at this moment the lives of people were more important.

However, the association is going to submit a memorandum to TN government officials. “We want the government to allow traders to at least clean their shops while keeping the shutters down. We usually clean our premises every week. Since the shops have been shut down for a month, it will be a mess inside,” he said.

Raja said cement shops would be the worst hit as the commodity could be damaged with lumps forming in the bags if left unattended.

Raja said the association members feared that the extended lockdown would spell doom for many trades. Professionals like barbers and tailors have lost their livelihood, he said. “We have requested the government to give a one-time cash transfer of ₹5,000 and one month’s ration to these professionals,” he said.

Senior government officials were clueless on Sunday night when asked if the lockdown would continue under the corporation limits on Monday

FIGHTING COVID-19

Doctor who went beyond call of duty

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com

His personal protection suit covered in blood, one eye on the police standing a distance away, Dr Pradeep Kumar trembled with fear as he picked up the dirt with his hands to bury Dr Simon Hercules. All that the angry mob throwing stones from outside the burial ground could see was the latest victim of Covid19 -- to them nothing more than a nameless faceless body wrapped in three layers of plastic -- being placed in a makeshift grave.

But alone in the Velangadu graveyard, nearing midnight on Sunday, with just two hospital ward staff for assistance, all Dr Pradeep could see in the dim light he was provided was a friend, colleague and mentor whom he was determined to lay to rest with the dignity and respect he deserved.

“He wasn’t just a neurosurgeon,” says Dr Pradeep. “From conducting free surgeries to offering subsidized treatment, Dr Hercules was always ready to help people.He has been helping with distribution of N95 masks and gloves to government personnel.”

During the 2015 floods, Dr Hercules set up medical camps, says Dr Alington Jacob, a physician at New Hope Medical Centre.

One-and-a-half years ago, Dr Hercules started Hope99, a project close to his heart, to serve those living in slums with health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. “It is heart-breaking that a man who served society all his life was not even allowed a proper burial,” says Dr Jason.

FIGHTING COVID-19

Doctor who went beyond call of duty

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com  21.04.2020

His personal protection suit covered in blood, one eye on the police standing a distance away, Dr Pradeep Kumar trembled with fear as he picked up the dirt with his hands to bury Dr Simon Hercules. All that the angry mob throwing stones from outside the burial ground could see was the latest victim of Covid19 -- to them nothing more than a nameless faceless body wrapped in three layers of plastic -- being placed in a makeshift grave.

But alone in the Velangadu graveyard, nearing midnight on Sunday, with just two hospital ward staff for assistance, all Dr Pradeep could see in the dim light he was provided was a friend, colleague and mentor whom he was determined to lay to rest with the dignity and respect he deserved.

“He wasn’t just a neurosurgeon,” says Dr Pradeep. “From conducting free surgeries to offering subsidized treatment, Dr Hercules was always ready to help people.He has been helping with distribution of N95 masks and gloves to government personnel.”

During the 2015 floods, Dr Hercules set up medical camps, says Dr Alington Jacob, a physician at New Hope Medical Centre.

One-and-a-half years ago, Dr Hercules started Hope99, a project close to his heart, to serve those living in slums with health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. “It is heart-breaking that a man who served society all his life was not even allowed a proper burial,” says Dr Jason.

Mob most foul attacks funeral of city doc

Srikkanth.D@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.04.2020

Ignorance and heartlessness were in full display in the wee hours of Monday when separate groups of residents at Kilpauk and Anna Nagar tried to deny an honourable burial for a doctor who had died of Covid-19 on Sunday.

At Velangadu near Anna Nagar, a mob attacked the ambulance carrying Dr Simon Hercules’s mortal remains, injuring three people around midnight. The body was finally buried with police protection around 3am. Earlier, the corporation and the ambulance crew had to turn away from the TP Chathram crematorium as another group of residents had gathered there.

Dr Simon Hercules, a neurosurgeon and managing director of New Hope Medical Centre in Kilpauk, had died in a private hospital due to cardiac arrest after battling the novel coronavirus. He was seeing several patients with flu-like symptoms, but it is not clear from where he contracted the virus. His daughter, who is a doctor, had also tested positive for the virus.

Hearing about the burial, a group armed with sticks and stones gathered at the Velangadu burial ground in Anna Nagar.

The ambulance carrying the mortal remains of Dr Simon Hercules was attacked at Velangadu near Anna Nagar

Ambulance damaged, three men accompanying doc’s body injured.  They damaged the ambulance that carried the doctor’s body. Two of the ambulance crew, Anand and Damodharan, and an assistant executive engineer with the city corporation, Kaliyarasan, were injured in the attack.

The ambulance, with the body, went to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital to give medical aid to the injured people. Meanwhile, Dr Pradeep Kumar, a junior colleague of Dr Hercules, arrived and drove the ambulancebacktotheburial ground, this time with police escort. On Monday, Police booked 21 people including a woman under various charges including attempt to murder. Medical professionals across the state condemned the disrespect andcruelty metedoutto a doctor.

The Tamil Nadu wing of Indian Medical Association (IMA) appealed to chief minister EdappadiKPalaniswamito takestrong legal action against those who indulged in violence. Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association president Dr K Senthil condemned the incident and said doctors and other healthcare professionswere putting themselves at risk while continuing to treat Covid-19 patients with dedication and responsibility.

Doctors, nurses and other health workers of Ambur Government Hospital wore black arm bands as a mark of protest against the Chennai mob attack. Health Minister C Vijayabaskar expressed displeasure attheincident and assuredthat the government would stand by its healthcare workers. “He (Dr Hercules) was one of our frontline workers. It is the duty of our governmenttolook after the welfare of our doctors and healthcare professionals. I can assure that the virus does not spread from mortal remains and I appeal to the public to be compassionate,” the minister said.

Earlier,thefuneralof a doctor from Nellore who had died in thecity toofacedsimilar protests from residents in Ambattur and Tiruverkadu.

Doctors’ association appealed to CM to take strong legal action against those who resorted to the violence

No relaxation, lockdown to continue till May 3: TN govt

To Be Reviewed On Basis Of Virus Spread

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.04.2020

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday decided to continue the lockdown until May 3. The relaxation of some curbs suggested by the Union government after April 20 will not be applicable in the state. The TN government will review the lockdown based on the virus spread.

The announcement was made after a 22-member expert committee led by finance secretary S Krishnan submitted an interim report to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The committee made a presentation to the chief minister and senior ministers during a three-hour long meeting that discussed the activities that could be allowed and the consequences. Finally, the chief minister decided to consolidate the gains from the lockdown and not to relax the restrictions.

The expert committee considered the red flags raised by public health experts. Many of them said more data was required to take a decision.

“That is also one of the key elements. None of the public health experts says it is perfectly safe to relax curbs. The problem is that we don’t have enough data nor enough knowledge about the virus. No one is able to say what technique works,” a committee member said.

EPS, staff test negative for Covid-19

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday underwent preliminary screening for coronavirus using the rapid test kit and tested negative, reports Julie Mariappan. “Got a rapid test done for chief minister at home and all the staff in chief minister’s office in Secretariat. All negative,” said a source.

The health department deployed a team from Omandurar Government Multispecialty Hospital on Anna Salai to conduct the screening in Secretariat. In all, about 300 people, including senior bureaucrats, police personnel, staff and journalists, were screened and all tested negative, sources said.

MSME sector seeks clarity on operations

Since the state ramped up testing, which was now more focused on contacts, extended contacts, containment zones and people with symptoms, the authorities expected a clearer picture would emerge in the coming days.

The committee took note of two key issues raised by industry -- export commitments and deployment of available workforce.

However, there were also concerns over the availability of vendors at different locations, which could be containment zones, and supply chain management.

IT and IT-enabled services firms said they would not need to follow the Centre’s guideline of 50% strength in offices as they had managed 95% productivity with work from home. “A lot of the industries are not keen on opening up in these circumstances,” said a member of the committee.

The MSME sector sought clarity since many thought all operations could begin after April 20, while the government was to take a call based on the recommendations of the expert committee.

“This is one reason the government issued a statement on Sunday that lockdown will continue until a decision is made. Today, the government decided not to relax curbs as it did not want to take a chance if there is a spike in cases. If we delay by two weeks, economy will suffer, and revenue receipts will take a hit, but what if people die. The economy will rebound, and we can earn later,” another committee member said.

Covid situation serious in 11 cities: 

MHA Inter-Ministerial Central teams to visit severely affected areas to take stock of situation

A man on a two-wheeler wearing mask passing by graffiti, in New Delhi on Monday. — Photo: ANI

Centre said Covid-19 situation is “especially serious” in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal

Focus On Corona   PTI

New Delhi  21.04.2020

The Union government said the Covid-19 situation is “especially serious” in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and among 11 other cities in West Bengal, and warned that violation of lockdown measures risks the spread of the novel coronavirus further.

Acting swiftly, the Union Home Ministry also announced that six Inter-Ministerial Central teams (IMCTs) will visit these identified areas in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajasthan within the next three days to make on-the-spot assessment and recommend remedial measures in a report to the Centre. In identical orders issued to the four States on Sunday, the Home Ministry said there have been several incidents of violence against Covid-19 front-line healthcare professionals, complete violation of social distancing norms and movement of vehicles in urban areas.

The Home Ministry said in some districts, a number of violations to the lockdown measures have been reported, posing a serious health hazard and risk for spread of Covid-19 which include attacks on frontline healthcare professionals, complete violations of social distancing norms outside banks, PDS shops and in market places, movement of private and commercial vehicles with passengers in urban areas and so on.

These incidents, if they are allowed to occur without any restraining measures in hotspot districts or emerging hotspots, with large outbreaks or clusters, pose a serious health hazard, both for the population of these districts and for that living in other areas of the country, it said. After analysing the prevalence of such violations in major hotspot districts, it is clear to the central government that the situation is “especially serious” in Mumbai and Pune (Maharashtra), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kolkata, Howrah, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri ( West Bengal), the home ministry said.

The orders, signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in his capacity as the chairperson of the National Executive Committee under the Disaster Management Act, also said the six Inter-Ministerial Central teams will visit these hotspot areas and make on-spot assessment of the Covid-19 situation in these places and issue necessary directions to the four States. The teams, comprising five members each, will be headed by an Additional Secretary-rank officer of the Central government. The six teams will make on-the-spot assessment of the situation, issue necessary directions to the state authorities for redressal of the situation, and submit their report to the central government in larger interest of general public.

The IMCTs will focus their assessment on the compliance and implementation of lockdown measures besides issues like the supply of essential commodities, social distancing, hospital facility and sample statistics in the district, safety of health professionals, availability of test kits, PPEs, masks and other safety equipment, and conditions of the relief camps for labour and poor people.

The orders also made it clear that the Ministry of Civil Aviation will provide air transportation, to and fro, from New Delhi to their respective place of visit (nearest airport), as their deployment is for an essential purpose of ensuring compliance to the lockdown measures. The state governments will have to provide logistic support to the IMCT, for their accommodation, transportation, PPEs and extend all cooperation for their visits to local areas, production of documents and records as requested by the IMCTs.

There have been several incidents of attacks on healthcare workers and police by some people in different parts of the country, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, leading to injuries to doctors, paramedics and police personnel.

Govt issues fresh orders on austerity measures

The order is for deferred payment of salaries, wages, remuneration and pensions for the month of April, 2020

State Bureau   Hyderabad

21.04.2020

The State government has issued fresh orders on austerity measures to be taken with regard to extended lockdown period till May 7.

Principal Secretary (Finance) K Ramakrishna Rao in his orders said that the measures were consequent to the drop in tax and non-tax revenues of the State government and the additional expenditure required towards the Covid-19 control and relief measures. The order is for deferred payment of salaries, wages, remuneration and pensions for the month of April, 2020, subject to the modification that the deferment shall be at the rate of 25 per cent in respect of all government pensioners.

Earlier, deferment for the month of March was based on the pattern prescribed in the earlier orders dated 30 and 31 March, 2020. All Drawing and Disbursement Officers are directed to submit the salary, wages, remuneration bills for the month of April to the concerned treasury officers strictly as per the instructions.

The orders with regard to payment of the deferred portion of salaries, wages, remuneration and pensions and deductions or recoveries for the month of April will be issued separately.

காப்பியடித்து ஆராய்ச்சி யு.ஜி.சி., அதிரடி உத்தரவு

Updated : ஏப் 21, 2020 00:41 | Added : ஏப் 20, 2020 23:47

சென்னை:'காப்பி அடிக்கப்பட்ட, போலி ஆராய்ச்சி அறிக்கை சமர்ப்பித்தவர்களுக்கு, வேலைவாய்ப்பு மற்றும் பதவி உயர்வு வழங்க கூடாது' என, பல்கலைகள் மற்றும் கல்லுாரிகளுக்கு, யு.ஜி.சி., அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

ஆராய்ச்சி மாணவர்கள்,தங்களின் ஆராய்ச்சி கருத்துகளை சொந்தமாக வெளியிட வேண்டும். ஏற்கனவே, யாரோ வெளியிட்ட ஆராய்ச்சி அறிக்கைகளை காப்பிஅடித்து, ஆராய்ச்சி செய்யக் கூடாது என, மத்திய மனிதவள மேம்பாட்டு அமைச்சகம் ஏற்கனவே அறிவுறுத்தி உள்ளது. இந்நிலையில், சமீபகாலமாக, பிஎச்.டி., படிக்கும் ஆராய்ச்சி மாணவர்கள் பலர், முந்தைய ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகள் அல்லது தாங்கள் ஏற்கனவே வெளியிட்ட ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகளை, முன், பின்னாக காப்பியடித்து, புதிதுபோல் மாற்றி சமர்ப்பிப்பதாக, புகார் எழுந்து உள்ளது.

இது குறித்து, பல்கலை மானிய குழுவான, யு.ஜி.சி., சார்பில், கல்லுாரிகள், பல்கலைகளுக்கு சுற்றறிக்கை அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.அதில், 'காப்பியடிக்கப்பட்ட ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகளை சமர்ப்பிப்பவர்களுக்கு, வேலைவாய்ப்போ, பதவி உயர்வோ வழங்கக்கூடாது. 'இந்த விஷயத்தில், கல்லுாரிகள் மற்றும் பல்கலைகள் மிகவும் கவனமுடன் செயல்பட வேண்டும்' என, அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

40 ஆயிரத்தைத் தாண்டியது பலி எண்ணிக்கை: அச்சத்தில் அமெரிக்கர்கள்

By DIN | Published on : 20th April 2020 12:26 PM 

அமெரிக்காவில் கரோனா நோய்த் தொற்று வேகமாகப் பரவி வரும் நிலையில் இதுவரை பலி எண்ணிக்கை 40 ஆயிரத்தைத் தாண்டியுள்ளதாக அந்நாட்டு சுகாராத்துறை அமைச்சகம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. 

கடந்த 24 மணி நேரத்தில் மட்டும் அமெரிக்காவில் 1,500 பேர் உயிரிழந்துள்ளதாக அந்நாட்டு அரசு தகவல் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. நாளுக்கு நாள் அங்குப் பாதித்தோர் எண்ணிக்கையும், உயிரிழப்பு எண்ணிக்கையும் தொடர்ந்து அதிகரித்து வருவதால் அமெரிக்க மக்கள் பேரச்சத்தில் ஆழ்ந்துள்ளனர். 

திங்கள்கிழமை நிலவரப்படி கரோனாவின் கோரப்பிடியில் சிக்கியிருக்கும் அமெரிக்காவில் இதுவரை 7 லட்சத்து 64,265 பேர் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர், 40,565 பேரை இது பலி வாங்கியுள்ளது. அதேசமயம் 71,012 பேர் குணமடைந்து வீடு திரும்பியுள்ளனர். 

கரோனா நோய்த் தொற்றுக்குப் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள 2,073 பேர் தீவிர சிகிச்சைப் பிரிவில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். 

சீனாவில் கடந்த ஆண்டு டிசம்பர் மாதம் பரவத் தொடங்கிய கரோனா உலகம் முழுவதும் 210 நாடுகளுக்குப் பரவியுள்ளது. உலகளவில் இதுவரை 2,407,699 பேர் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். 1,65,093 பேரை இந்த நோய்த் தொற்று பலி வாங்கியுள்ளது. 

சென்னை ராஜீவ்காந்தி அரசு ஆஸ்பத்திரியில் பணிபுரிந்த மேலும் 3 டாக்டர்களுக்கு கொரோனா பாதிப்பு உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதைத்தொடர்ந்து டாக்டர்கள் தங்கியிருந்த விடுதி அறைக்கு ‘சீல்’ வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

பதிவு: ஏப்ரல் 20, 2020 04:15 AM

சென்னை, 

தமிழகத்தில் வெளிநாடுகளில் இருந்து வந்தவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமல்ல, அவர்களுக்கு சிகிச்சை அளிக்கும் டாக்டர்களுக்கும் கொரோனா பாதிப்பு ஏற்பட்டு வருகிறது. இந்த நிலையில் தமிழகத்தில் ஈரோடு மாவட்டத்தில் முதல்கட்ட பரிசோதனையில் ஈடுபட்ட ஒரு பெண் ரெயில்வே டாக்டருக்கு கொரோனா நோய் தொற்று ஏற்பட்டது. இதைத்தொடர்ந்து பல்வேறு அரசு மற்றும் தனியார் டாக்டர்களுக்கும் கொரோனா பாதிப்பு ஏற்பட்டது.

இந்த நிலையில் கடந்த 15-ந்தேதி சென்னை ராஜீவ்காந்தி அரசு பொது மருத்துவமனையின் இருதய சிகிச்சை பிரிவில் பணி புரிந்த டாக்டரும் மருத்துவ பட்டமேற்படிப்பு மாணவருமான ஒருவருக்கு கொரோனா நோய் தொற்று இருப்பது உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து அவருடன் பணியில் இருந்த அனைவரையும் சுகாதாரத்துறையினர் தனிமைப்படுத்தி கண்காணிப்பில் வைத்திருந்தனர். அதில் 2 செவிலியர்களுக்கும் நோய் தொற்று இருந்ததாக கூறப்படுகிறது.

இந்த நிலையில் நேற்று இருதய சிகிச்சை பிரிவில் பணி புரிந்த மேலும் 3 டாக்டர்களுக்கு கொரோனா நோய் தொற்று இருப்பது தெரியவந்துள்ளது. அவர்கள் மூவரும் மருத்துவ பட்டமேற்படிப்பு மாணவர்கள். இதில் 27 வயதான பட்டமேற்படிப்பு மாணவர் தனது மனைவி மற்றும் பெற்றோருடன் சென்னை சிந்தாதிரிப்பேட்டையில் வசித்து வந்துள்ளார்.

இதையடுத்து அவரது குடும்பத்தினர் அனைவரையும் சுகாதாரத்துறையினர் தனிமைப்படுத்தி வீட்டு கண்காணிப்பில் வைத்துள்ளனர்.

மேலும் அவர்கள் தங்கி இருந்த வீடு மற்றும் தெருவை மாநகராட்சி அதிகாரிகள் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் கொண்டு வந்துள்ளனர். அங்கு தடுப்புகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டு வெளியில் இருந்து யாரும் வராத வண்ணம் பாதுகாப்பு போடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மேலும் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட மற்ற 2 டாக்டர்கள் சென்னை மருத்துவ கல்லூரி விடுதியில் தங்கி பணி புரிந்துள்ளனர். இதனால் அவர்கள் தங்கி இருந்த அறைக்கு ‘சீல்’ வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அவர்களுடன் தொடர்பில் இருந்தவர்களை கண்டறியும் பணியில் சுகாதாரத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் தீவிரமாக ஈடுபட்டுள்ளனர்.

Question mark over functioning of central govt offices in Madurai

TNN | Apr 20, 2020, 04.08 AM IST

Madurai: While it was stated that Central government offices in the state would start functioning from April 20, the Madurai district administration is awaiting clear instructions from the state government.

Sources at the Madurai Railway division said that they were in the process of resuming work from Monday, when they received a communication saying that the state government would take a decision on functioning of offices and industries, based on the expert committee’s report, which is submitted to it.

Madurai district collector Dr T G Vinay said that they expect to get clear guidelines on this from the government on Monday. 

He also said that even if offices are permitted to function, workers and employees living in the containment zones in the district would not be given passes.

Some post office employees have said that they would report for duty, as directed by the chief postmaster general. They had raised their concerns with the heads, they said.

JNTU cracks whip against colleges

Move comes in wake of several colleges terminating services of staff, which is against rules of the varsity

CITY BUREAU

Hyderabad 20.04.2020

Cracking the whip on erring private affiliated colleges, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad (JNTU-H) has sought information on the total number of staff members and salaries paid to them during the lockdown.

Information like total number of teaching and non-teaching staff on rolls of the colleges and number of teachers and staff members who were terminated before and after the announcement of lockdown by the State government has been sought from the colleges.

Specify reasons

The managements were asked to specify reasons under each category while giving out details. The move by JNTU-H comes in wake of several private affiliated colleges reportedly terminating services of the teaching and non-teaching staff in the lockdown period which was against rules of the varsity.

A circular to this effect has been sent to all the affiliated autonomous and non-autonomous colleges. Apart from details on the terminations, the university also sought information regarding the number of new appointments in the colleges.

According to the university rules, private colleges cannot issue termination/ appointment orders to the faculty members without the university’s permission during the lockdown period.

However, in case of any emergency, if the college wants to terminate the service of faculty (s), it should be done through mutual consent between college and faculty as per the service rules of the college and with an intimation to university in advance.

The private colleges were instructed to submit details of faculty and staff who were fully or partially or no salary paid before and after the announcement of lockdown.

Future Course

More relaxations in offing: Javadekar Says 

Modi is not in two minds about the way forward and knows what is needed to be done and when

An elderly woman walks on the deserted Howrah bridge in Kolkata on Sunday. — Photo: ANI

PTI

New Delhi  20.04.2020

A day before a host of relaxations to boost economic activities kick in amid the nationwide lockdown, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Sunday that more relief measures are bound to come if India continues to manage the coronavirus crisis well, asserting that “you cannot (have) lockdown permanently”.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister also called for fully observing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request to people to stay wherever they are amid a row over the UP government’s decision to send buses to Kota in Rajasthan to bring back students stuck there.

“I will not go into any particular incident but let me make it clear that the Prime Minister has spoken about people facing hardship when they are away from home. He has advised them to stay wherever they are. That is the real point,” he said when asked about the incident. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has objected to the development, saying it was against the spirit of lockdown, and some opposition leaders have questioned as to why then the Central government is not making provisions for stranded migrants to return to their homes. “Our policy is stay wherever you are and help each other,” Javadekar said, adding that Modi’s appeal in this regard should be observed 100 per cent.

A member of the group of ministers to oversee the measures to combat the pandemic, he said unlike leaders in some other countries, who are “confused” between the choices of shutdown and letting economic activities pick up, PM Modi is “not in two minds” about the way forward and knows what is needed to be done and when.

“He gave the call of lockdown at the right time and is now partially allowing economic activity while the lockdown continues. With such a (huge) population we have managed well, if this continues we will get more relief,” he said.

While the relaxations starting from April 20 are primarily aimed at boosting the rural economy, Javadekar expressed confidence that economic activities will start in cities as well “sooner than later”.

“The lockdown has been successful. The world is praising it because this is the way to fight the virus. But even after this you cannot (have) lockdown permanently. We have saved lives and at the same time we must start economic activity. To that end PM has partially opened economic activities,” he said.

To a question about Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the lockdown is not a solution, he took a dig at him, saying that the Congress leader must be “more knowledgeable” about Covid-19 than others.

“The world is praising India for timely lockdown and its good implementation. Compared to what we are witnessing in western countries, we are doing much better,” he said.

PG Medicos Allege COVID 19 Crisis Mismanagement; CMC Dean Transferred, Told To Report To DME 

By GarimaPublished On 19 April 2020 11:25 AM | Updated On 19 April 2020 11:25 AM 

Coimbatore: Based on the allegations of PG medical students and house surgeons of Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital stating that the Dean had poorly managed the COVID 19 crisis after 2 medicos contracted the virus, the State Health Department has issued a notice removing him from the post. The dean has further been transferred and ordered to report to the office of Director of Medical Education, Chennai. 

Recently, the PG medicos highlighted the alleged mismanagement by the medical college administration in ensuring basic facilities to PG students and house surgeons and their safety after two PG students, who was on duty at the COVID 19 special ward of Government Medical College and ESI Hospital, Singanallur, tested positive. 

Allegations The students had alleged that after the duo was tested positive, the mess which provided food for the PG students was shut down. This led to a lack of adequate food for them, following which they were forced to confront the Dean. In addition to this, students also alleged that they were not given enough protective gear when handling COVID-19 patients and that the two doctors who contracted the virus were not immediately shifted to an isolation ward. 

"Dinner was not available at the mess on Monday as the staff left the place afraid of contracting COVID-19. We were told to find our food when we took the issue to the attention of the hospital administration," the students had informed The Hindu earlier. 

Meanwhile, a screenshot has apparently gone viral which shows that one of the infected medico was removed from the WhatsApp group by the Medical Superintendent. He had asked authorities to provide Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets as part of his treatment just before he was removed, reports TNM. Advertisement After all these allegations cropped up against the administration, the State Health and Family Welfare department has taken strict action against the authorities 

While Dr Asokan has been removed from his post, the college's Medical Superintendent has also been issued a show-cause notice. The authorities were informed that their behaviour was not 'ethical' and that they failed to carry out their duties satisfactorily. However, while speaking to TNM, Dr Asokan justified the administration stance and stated, "The two students who were tested positive are doctors doing their final year post-graduation. 

The drug HCQ was provided to them even when they went for duty. One doctor took HCQ on April 4. When I inquired on Monday, they initially said both of them were taking the medicine. However, we came to know later that one of them did not take HCQ. The infected doctor was in ESI Hospital so we immediately informed them. The ESI officials administered the tablet to him." New Dean Dr P Kalidas, a senior professor from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, was appointed to hold full additional charge of the Dean. 

The change in the administration came into effect following an order issued by the Health Secretary Beela Rajesh through Director of Medical Education (DME) R. Narayana Babu, reports The Hindu. 

The medical college administration has reportedly arranged alternative accommodation for male postgraduate students and house surgeons after their quarters on the hospital campus was fumigated after the 2 students had tested positive. They were shifted to a hostel on the medical college campus near Peelamedu. Thereafter, Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani informed The Hindu, "I have asked the administration to provide the best possible food and accommodation, matching the standards of star hotels. At the same time, the medicos should stay vigilant and take care of their health," he told journalists after a meeting with officials to review the administration's preparedness to combat COVID-19.

https://medicaldialogues.in/news/education/medical-colleges/pg-medicos-allege-covid-19-crisis-mismanagement-cmc-dean-transferred-told-to-report-to-dme-64982

20.04.2020

தமிழகத்தில் திங்கள்கிழமை (ஏப். 20) முதல் அனைத்து அரசு அலுவலகங்களையும் இயக்க முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. குறைந்த எண்ணிக்கையில் சுழற்சி முறையில் முகக் கவசத்துடன் ஊழியா்கள் பணிக்கு வர வேண்டுமென உத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

அதேசமயம், பொதுப் போக்குவரத்து நிறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ள நிலையில், பணிக்கு வருவது எப்படி என்று அரசு ஊழியா்கள் தரப்பில் கேள்வி எழுப்பப்படுகிறது.

கரோனா தொற்று காரணமாக, தமிழகம் முழுவதும் கடந்த மாா்ச் 24-ஆம் தேதி முதல் முழு ஊரடங்கு நடைமுறையில் உள்ளது. தமிழகத்தில் அத்தியாவசியத் துறைகளான சுகாதாரம், காவல், ஊரக வளா்ச்சி மற்றும் ஊராட்சித் துறை, குடிநீா் வழங்கல், உணவுப் பொருள் வழங்கல் ஆகிய முக்கிய துறைகளைச் சோ்ந்த ஊழியா்கள் மட்டுமே கடந்த மாா்ச் 24 முதல் பணிக்கு வருகின்றனா். ஊரடங்கு காலத்திலும் அவா்கள் தொடா்ந்து பணியாற்றுகின்றனா்.

பிற துறை ஊழியா்கள்: அத்தியாவசியத் துறைகள் அல்லாத பிற துறைகளைச் சோ்ந்த அலுவலகங்கள் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளதுடன், ஊழியா்களும் பணிக்கு வரவில்லை. இந்த நிலையில், ஊரடங்குக் காலம் மே 3-ஆம் தேதி வரை நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதேசமயம், வரும் திங்கள்கிழமை (ஏப். 20) முதல் ஊரடங்கில் தளா்வுகளையும் மத்திய அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்த தளா்வுகள் அனைத்தும் நடைமுறைக்கு வரவுள்ள நிலையில், அரசுத் துறைகளைச் சோ்ந்த ஊழியா்களைப் பணிக்கு வர தமிழக அரசு அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து, அரசுத் துறைகள் சாா்பில் அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ள கடிதம்:-

அரசுத் துறைகளின் இன்றியமையாத பணிகளுக்கான அலுவலா்கள், பணியாளா்கள் சுழற்சி முறையில் பணிபுரிந்திட அறிவுறுத்தப்படுகிறது. கண்காணிப்பாளா், உதவியாளா், இளநிலை உதவியாளா், தட்டச்சா் ஆகியோா் சுழற்சி முறையில் பணிபுரிய கேட்டுக் கொள்ளப்படுகிறாா்கள்.

அலுவலகங்களுக்கு வரும் ஊழியா்கள் அனைவரும் சமூக இடைவெளியை கண்டிப்பான முறையில் கடைப்பிடிக்க வேண்டும். அனைத்து அலுவலா்களும், பணியாளா்களும் முகக்கவசம் அணிந்துதான் அலுவலகத்துக்கு வர வேண்டும். அடிக்கடி அலுவலகத்தில் கைகளை கிருமி நாசினி கொண்டு கழுவ வேண்டும். கொவைட் 19 பாதுகாப்பு முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கைகளைத் தவறாது பின்பற்றி பணிபுரிய வேண்டும் என்று அரசுத் துறைகளின் கடிதத்தில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஆவணங்கள் பதிவுப் பணி: ஆவணங்கள் பதிவு செய்யும் பணிகளும் திங்கள்கிழமை முதல் தொடங்கப்பட உள்ளதாக பதிவுத் துறை தெரிவித்துள்ளது. அதேசமயம், ஆவணப் பதிவுக்காக வரும் பொது மக்கள் முகக் கவசத்துடன் வர வேண்டுமென பதிவுத் துறை அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது. அரசு அலுவலகங்களுக்கு வரும் பொது மக்களை வெப்பமானி கொண்டு உடல் வெப்பத்தை பரிசோதிக்க வேண்டுமெனவும் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.

பணிக்கு வருவது எப்படி?: பொதுப் போக்குவரத்து இல்லாத நிலையில், எப்படி பணிக்கு வர முடியும் என ஊழியா்கள் கேள்வி எழுப்புகின்றனா். எனவே, சுழற்சி முறையில் பணிக்குச் செல்லும் ஊழியா்களுக்கு பேருந்து உள்ளிட்ட பொதுப் போக்குவரத்து வசதியை ஏற்பாடு செய்து தர வேண்டுமென கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளனா்.

குளோரோகுயின்’ மாத்திரை உற்பத்தி நிறுத்தம்

By ஆ. கோபிகிருஷ்ணா | Published on : 20th April 2020 08:30 AM |

’ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின் மாத்திரைகள்’

கரோனா சிகிச்சைக்குப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகளுக்கு விலைக் கட்டுப்பாடு விதிக்கப்பட்டதால் 90 சதவீத நிறுவனங்கள் அதன் உற்பத்தியை நிறுத்தியுள்ளன.

மூலப் பொருள்களின் விலையைக் காட்டிலும் விற்பனை செய்ய வேண்டிய விலையை குறைவாக அரசு நிா்ணயித்ததே அதற்குக் காரணமாகக் கூறப்படுகிறது. இதனால், தேசிய அளவில் அந்த மருந்துகளுக்கு கடும் தட்டுப்பாடு நிலவி வருகிறது.

இந்தியாவில் கடந்த 1950-களில் இருந்தே ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகள் பயன்பாட்டில் இருந்து வருகின்றன. மலேரியாவை குணப்படுத்துவதற்காகவும், முடக்குவாத பாதிப்புக்குள்ளான (ருமட்டாய்டு ஆா்த்தரைட்டிஸ்) நோயாளிகளில் சிலருக்கும் ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகளை மருத்துவா்கள் பரிந்துரைத்து வருகின்றனா்.

இந்த நிலையில்தான் கடந்த சில வாரங்களுக்கு முன்பாக கரோனா சிகிச்சைக்கும் ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்தை பயன்படுத்தலாம் என்று இந்திய மருத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சி கவுன்சில் அறிவுறுத்தியது.

இதனால் உள்நாட்டுச் சந்தையில் அதற்கான தேவை பல மடங்கு அதிகரித்தது. ஆனால், அதனை உற்பத்தி செய்ய வேண்டிய நிறுவனங்களோ, மருந்து தயாரிப்பை நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளன. இதற்கு பல்வேறு காரணங்கள் முன்வைக்கப்படுகின்றன.

இதுகுறித்து மருந்து உற்பத்தியாளா்கள் சிலா் கூறியதாவது;

உலக அளவில் ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகளை 70 சதவீதம் உற்பத்தி செய்வது இந்தியாதான். கரோனா தாக்கத்துக்குப் பிறகு தமிழகத்தில் மட்டும் 40 நிறுவனங்களும், தேசிய அளவில் 300 நிறுவனங்களும் அந்த மருந்தைத் தயாரிப்பதற்கான உரிமத்தைப் பெற்றுள்ளன. இருந்தபோதிலும் சில நடைமுறைச் சிக்கல்களால் உற்பத்தியைத் தொடங்க இயலவில்லை.

தற்போது சந்தையில் சராசரியாக ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்து ஒன்றின் விலை ரூ.7.20-ஆக உள்ளது. ஆனால், அதனை ரூ.5.80-க்கு மேல் விற்பனை செய்யக் கூடாது என விலைக் கட்டுப்பாட்டை அரசு விதித்தது.

கடந்த சில வாரங்களுக்கு முன்பு வரை ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்தைத் தயாரிப்பதற்கான மூலப் பொருள்களின் விலை ஒரு கிலோ அதிகபட்சமாக ரூ.8 ஆயிரம் வரையே விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது. ஆனால், தற்போது அதன் விலை ரூ.50 ஆயிரமாக அதிகரித்துள்ளது. உள்நாட்டிலும் சரி; சீனாவிலிருந்து இறக்குமதி செய்யப்பட்டாலும் சரி, இரண்டிலுமே அதே விலை நிலவரம்தான்.

பெரிய தொகை கொடுத்து அதனை வாங்கி மருந்து தயாரித்தால் அரசு நிா்ணயித்த விலைக்கு விற்க முடியாது. ஏனெனில், அதற்கான உற்பத்திச் செலவே ரூ.5-க்கும் அதிகமாக இருக்கும். இதன் காரணமாகத்தான் அதன் உற்பத்தி நிறுத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது என்று அவா்கள் தெரிவித்தனா்.

இது தொடா்பாக இந்திய மருந்து உற்பத்தியாளா்கள் சங்கத்தின் தமிழகம், கேரளம், புதுச்சேரி பிரிவு தலைவா்ஜெயசீலன் கூறியதாவது:

‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகளுக்கான மூலப் பொருள்களை அரசே கொள்முதல் செய்து உற்பத்தியாளா்களுக்கு மானிய விலையில் அளித்தால், ரூ.5-க்கு மருந்துகளைத் தயாரிக்க முடியும். அவ்வாறு இல்லாவிடில், உள்நாட்டிலேயே மூலக்கூறு பொருள்களைத் தயாரிக்கும் ஜைடஸ், ஐபிசிஏ ஆகிய முன்னணி நிறுவனங்கள் மூலமாக போதிய அளவு மருந்துகளை உற்பத்தி செய்யலாம் என்றாா் அவா்.

சலுகைகள் அளிக்கப்படும்

‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துகளைத் தயாரிக்க எவரேனும் முன்வந்தால், அரசின் விதிகளுக்குட்பட்டு அனைத்துச் சலுகைகளும் அளிக்கப்படும் என்று மாநில மருந்து தரக் கட்டுப்பாட்டுத் துறை இயக்குநா் கே.சிவபாலன் தெரிவித்தாா். அவசர நிலை கருதி கடந்த இரு வாரங்களில் மட்டும் 20-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட புதிய நிறுவனங்களுக்கு உரிமம் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகவும் அவா் கூறினாா்.

‘மலேரியாவை அழித்த மரம்’

‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்து ஒரு மரத்தில் இருந்துதான் கண்டறியப்பட்டது. ‘சின்கோனா’ (விஷ ஜுர மரம்) என அழைக்கப்படும் அந்த மரத்தின் பட்டையில் ஐந்து வகையான மருத்துவப் பொருள்கள் இருப்பது கண்டறியப்பட்டது. அதில் ஒன்றுதான் குளோரோகுயின். 1934-இல் ஹேன்ஸ் ஆன்டா்சாக் என்ற ஆஸ்திரிய - ஜொ்மனிய விஞ்ஞானி அதனைக் கொண்டு மலேரியாவைக் குணப்படுத்தலாம் எனக் கண்டறிந்தாா். இதையடுத்து, அதனை ஊறவைத்து கஷாய மருந்துகள் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டன.

இரண்டாம் உலகப் போருக்குப் பிறகு, அந்த மரப் பட்டைகளைப் பயன்படுத்தாமல், செயற்கை வேதிப் பொருள்கள் மூலமாக ‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்தை உற்பத்தி செய்யும் தொழில்நுட்பம் அறிமுகமானது.

‘டானிக்’ வரலாறு

‘ஹைட்ராக்சிகுளோரோகுயின்’ மருந்துதான் டானிக் என்ற வாா்த்தை உருவாக பெயா்க் காரணமாக இருந்ததாகக் குறிப்பிடுகிறாா் தமிழ்நாடு டாக்டா் எம்ஜிஆா் மருத்துவப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் துணைவேந்தா் டாக்டா் சுதா சேஷய்யன். இது குறித்து அவா் மேலும் கூறியதாவது:

19-ஆம் நூற்றாண்டின் தொடக்கத்தில் பிரிட்டன் ஆட்சியாளா்களை எதிா்த்து இந்தியாவின் பல்வேறு சமஸ்தானங்கள் போரை முன்னெடுத்தன.

அப்போது பிரிட்டன் ராணுவ வீரா்கள் பலா் மலேரியா காய்ச்சலால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டனா். இதையடுத்து சின்கோனா என்ற மரத்தின் பட்டையைக் கொண்டு கஷாயம் தயாரித்து அவா்களுக்குக் கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. அது மிகவும் கசப்பாக இருந்ததால் அதனை பிரிட்டன் வீரா்கள் குடிக்கவில்லை.

இதையடுத்து ‘ஜின்’ எனப்படும் மது, சோடா மற்றும் சா்க்கரையுடன் அதனைக் கலந்து வழங்கினாா்கள். அதனை டானிக் வாட்டா் என்று அழைத்தாா்கள். உடலுக்குச் சத்தான பானம் என்ற பொருள்படும்படி அப்பெயா் வைக்கப்பட்டது. அப்பெயா்தான் நாளடைவில் அனைத்து சத்து மிக்க திரவ மருந்துகளையும் ‘டானிக்’ என அழைக்கக் காரணமாக அமைந்தது என்றாா் அவா்.

COVID-19: Discharged Tamil Nadu man celebrates recovery by taking out procession, booked

According to sources, he was brought in a private vehicle to Sirkazhi. Dozens of people from the Jamaat welcomed him at a mosque on Saturday around 6.30pm.

Published: 20th April 2020 03:01 AM 

By Express News Service

MAYILADUTHURAI: Cases were registered against a 45-year-old person in Sirkazhi who recovered from COVID-19 and his friends on Sunday allegedly after they celebrated his recovery by taking out a procession. Police said all persons involved in the revelry, except the recovered patient, were absconding.

The 45-year-old person who tested positive upon his return from the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz Conference, was discharged after getting cured, on Saturday.

According to sources, he was brought in a private vehicle to Sirkazhi. Dozens of people from the Jamaat welcomed him at a mosque on Saturday around 6.30pm. They draped him with shawls and took pictures. Then, they took him out in a rally for a few hundred metres and raised slogans until he reached his house.

The incident was brought to the notice of the police. They booked the person and several others, and registered cases under various sections in Sirkazhi Police Station The police stated that they are yet to take the person into custody as he has been advised home quarantine for a couple of weeks.

Highway toll fee to go up from today in Tamil Nadu

The NHAI has authorised the concessionaires to charge the hiked rates after the Union government gave nod on Friday.

Published: 20th April 2020 03:05 AM 

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Motorists passing through 26 toll gates in the State set up by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will have to shell out more from Monday after the NHAI has decided to effect the annual hike in user fee.The fee will be increased by `5 to `15, a rise of 3 to 5 per cent, depending on the category of vehicle for a single passage. It may be noted that the NHAI had stopped collecting user fee from March 23 in view of the lockdown.

The NHAI has authorised the concessionaires to charge the hiked rates after the Union government gave nod on Friday.“The nominal hike is an automatic process carried out based on wholesale price index in accordance with the provisions of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Since the toll gates were closed on April 1, the revised fee will be collected from Monday,” a senior official from NHAI told Express.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu State Lorry Owners Association (TNSLOA) has questioned the rationale behind collecting user fee when lockdown is in force. Association president Kumaraswamy said, “Given that only less than 10 per cent of trucks are operational, the Centre’s decision is shocking.” “Only trucks carrying essentials are operated amidst lot of challenges. What is the necessity for resuming toll collection? The move will increase transportation cost by `1,000 to `1,500 per truck,” added Kumaraswamy.

Echoing similar views, Tamil Nadu State Lorry Owners Federation Vice President C Sathiah said the move would result in escalation of prices of essential commodities. “The Centre should suspend collecting toll for a year.”The State has 48 toll gates set up by the NHAI of which user fee is revised in 26 gates on April 1 every year while the fee in remaining is revised on September 1.

Exempt vehicles carrying essentials, say politicians

Political parties in the State have urged the NHAI to give exemption to vehicles transporting essential goods. PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss said, “Local markets in many districts are closed. Hence, vegetables from north, west and Cauvery delta are being brought to Koyambedu market. Already, farmers are spending a good amount on vehicle rents. They will face losses and the cost of vegetables will rise drastically if toll is collected from vegetable vehicles.”Similar demands have been raised by TMC(M) president GK Vasan, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran and AISMK president R Sarathkumar.

Revoke hike until lockdown is lifted: Madurai MP

Member of Parliament of Madurai S Venkatesan flayed the NHAI. He further urged the NHAI and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to revoke the order at least until lockdown is lifted.

Work is where home is

Work-from-home can be a foreign experience, but not if you reorganise your space, throw in some quirky accessories and bring the office vibe home, say decor experts

Published: 20th April 2020 05:21 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With the pandemic forcing a change in our work schedules and environment, work-from-home seems to be the name of the game. Are you falling asleep on the bed with the laptop on your face? Back pains are the only constant in your days? HomeLane’s leading designers — Baashobe Majumdar, VP, design, and Dipti Das, AVP, design — decode this clutter and give you a refreshing take on creating a workspace at home with materials already available. Are you ready to get ultra-focused and back in your work-zone?

Get comfortable

To work from home, you first need to get comfortable. Choose a convenient place where you can spend long durations of time. A few times, I’ve found the dining table to do that, while some have gone for the couch. Others have chosen their floor mattress in the living area and some, the bed in the guest room. So take your pick. But make yourself home, at home!

Illustration: Tapas Ranjan

Watch your back!

Considering most of us have a job that makes us sit in a place for extended durations, what takes the beating is our back. Homes, typically, do not have lumbar-supporting chairs, which means, wherever we make ourselves comfortable, our backs are still paying for it. The best way to avoid the strain is to get up from time to time and move around. Stretch your back, twist it, turn it, and break into a song and dance if that helps, but keep moving.

Keep time. Keep rhythm

One of the most common things experienced during the lockdown is that people are losing track of time.

Before the lockdown, we did multiple jobs in a specific sequence, five-six days in a week. For example: Set your alarm the previous night, decide if you want to wash your hair at night or in the morning,

keep your clothes ready before your shower, pack your lunch, and so on. A lot of these activities aren’t needed anymore or do not have the same importance. Solution? Create your new rhythm at the earliest. Tell yourself that this is what it is going to be. You might tweak it along the way but start with a personally  customised pattern.

Work accents

At the office, we try to personalise our desks with coffee mugs, photos of loved ones, books that inspire us etc. Apart from this, we also have functional items on our desk — sticky notes, notepads, laptop bag/sleeve, pen stand, company accolades. In the new, almost make-believe workplace, it is helpful to bring the same vibe back. These little things will help get you the focus required for work and remind you of your earlier work environment.

Space selection

A specified workspace at home can help in focussing on the tasks at hand for the day. The space selected should be quiet and away from household distractions. Convert any one of the available rooms in your residence, whether the guest bedroom or the living room, into a workplace without disrupting the flow. All that is needed is a table and a chair.

Furniture

The desk should be at the height of 2 ft 6 inches-2 ft 8 inches for best comfort. Looking into a blank wall can be stressful. Hence, placing the office in front of a window is advisable. Mount a power strip underneath or on the back of the desk for multiple wires — laptop charger, mobile charger and other electronics required. Cable ties can be used to keep wires together and hide them at the back of the furniture.

As for the seating arrangement, opt for workstation chairs, preferably an adjustable one with excellent lower back support. The ergonomic designs make sitting for long hours comfortable. In  case the available space is small, one can opt for a space-saving foldable study table which folds away on to the wall when not in use. Make space on the desk for work-from-home (WFH) essentials with trays to organize stationery and books. Make use of the vertical wall space with floating shelves to stowaway files that require easy accessibility.

No place for workstation

In case of less square footage, don’t worry, instead, repurpose the dining room table. However, it is not

recommended to use a dining chair, as it is not designed for prolonged sitting sessions. Adding cushions can go a long way in providing the right support and softening the impact. Another alternative is to set up a temporary arrangement by using a foldable laptop table that can be used while sitting on the bed.

Decor

Avoid making the workstation feel like an office cubicle by decorating it like any other room at home. Use fun notepads, sticky notes, a colourful basket for work trash and a quirky mug as a pencil holder. Hang inspirational prints or art on the walls. Indoor table plants like Echeveria and Peperomia can help

break the monotony of work by giving you a hint of nature.

Lighting

It is essential to have sufficient lighting to avoid strain on the eyes and for a refreshing vibe. Natural

light works best, but if that is not possible, then use a bright task light, preferably white, to liven up the

room. Add in a study lamp on the desk for more lighting. Remember to position the computer monitor/  laptop in a way that there is no glare on the screen from a window or overhead light.