The deadly coronavirus has invaded India and according to the Live Coronavirus Tracking Dashboard, 74 people have been tested positive with the COVID-19 virus. And among these, 16 are reportedly from God’s own country, Kerala. Of the total 4,180 under observation, 3,910 are under home quarantine. Hence, to curb the virus from spreading, the state has taken several precautionary measures.
The government declared a shutdown of all educational institutions and have urged cinemas to lockdown till March 31, reported The Telegraph. People are also advised to postpone weddings and religious events to avoid the virus from spreading. CM Pinarayi Vijayan has also urged internet service providers to improve the quality and availability of broadband internet since more people will be working from their homes amidst the lockdown. Airport screenings and awareness drives are also being efficiently conducted. CM Vijayan also said:
“The cabinet decided to shut down Classes I to VII in schools that follow all syllabuses. Only students of Classes VIII and IX will have to appear for their annual exams, while Class X students are allowed to write their board exams.”
He further said that food will be delivered to families under observation.
#COVID19 | Improving Readiness
As more people will be working from their homes, efforts were taken to improve the quality and availability of broadband internet.
Food will be delivered to families under observation. Respective DCs will ensure this.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) March 10, 2020
However, amidst the stringent state-wide lockdown, the Kerala government has decided to provide home-delivered mid-day meals to kids from the Anganwadi centres across the state to ensure they don’t stay hungry.
Priceless! This boy is really happy to see his Anganwadi teacher who came to his house with the midday meal stuffs as the schools in Kerala are closed in view of #CoronavirusPandemic ! Pic in Malayala Manorama pic.twitter.com/lxOfQTSqMv
— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 13, 2020
Anganwadis in Kerala are shut due to #covid19 pandemic, but teachers are distributing food supplies at homes of kids. Here's a photo of an Anganwadi teacher in Palakkad with a kid at his home. #SARSCoV2 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/OABYpQphAt
— Nikhil നിഖിൽ (@nikhilnarayanan) March 13, 2020
People online lauded the government’s decision:
Such a heartwarming picture. The Kerala government has shown us how a pandemic should be contained without people despairing much. Kudos to @vijayanpinarayi and @shailajateacher
— Sumit Ray (@yar_timus) March 13, 2020
As schools close due to the coronavirus threat, we cannot forget the children who face hardship as a result.
22 million children rely on federally subsidized school meals.
Today, I introduced a bill to ensure they continue to get the meals they need.💪🏽https://t.co/UtW45oTfP0 pic.twitter.com/hkUEEQzLhH
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) March 11, 2020
This cute pic is from #Kerala, India where the kid is so happy to see his teacher come to his home to deliver his mid-day meals as per the instructions from the Kerala Government that even if anganavadis will be closed, mid-day meals should be delivered to children. ❤️#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/UP3svrKs3W
— The Saudade Guy🌹 (@arunrajpaul) March 13, 2020
Kerala, a state of 34m in southern India, is now home-delivering midday meals to pupils whose schools have been shut due to COVID-19. Somehow between tracing contacts, quarantining people, and slowing the spread of the virus, their Communist-led government thought of this, too. https://t.co/cvuiezgZzW
— Saugato Datta (@sd268) March 12, 2020
Government with empathy
— Abhi (@leoabhilash123) March 13, 2020
This picture is immense happiness. Due to #CoronaVirus anganwadis in Klerala have been closed. But the Government is still delivering mid-day meals to the kids.
The kids won't have to stay hungryn
'Hopes India thinks tomorrow what Kerala thinks today' pic.twitter.com/RkqEX6mTCd
— Veni (@rebuild_kerala) March 13, 2020
Heart warming……. and good governance!!
— Archana (@Archu70) March 13, 2020
Since schools and anganwadis are closed due to Corona, Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered district collectors to supply mid-day meals to the homes of the children.
There are leaders.
And there is the rest.
Adversity will show you who is what.
Lessons from Kerala.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NdX1M6FXCc— seshagiri b.v (@seshagiribv) March 12, 2020
Am Crying with joy. Amidst all the madness and gloom, Kerala brings us all the joy and pride. Love you Kerala. @vijayanpinarayi @CPIMKerala Well done!
— India Against Fascism (@FascismIndia) March 13, 2020
They are five level ahead from the normal world.
— Saurabh Sharma (@Saurabhsherry) March 10, 2020
Mid-day meal program is a phenomenal initiative of giving free lunches to school children across India. The Gov of Kerala , an Indian state of 34 million, is home-delivering the mid-day meals to all children across the state due to #COVID19 restrictions. https://t.co/04ImuVfhNK
— Sharat Ganesh (@SharatGanesh) March 12, 2020
This is how you respond to a crisis, in a thoughtful manner. Not whatever is happening in the United States right now.
— Sharat Ganesh (@SharatGanesh) March 12, 2020
State COVID-19 control centre has been strengthened and six helpline numbers are now active.
State COVID19 Control Centre has been strengthened.
6️⃣ helpline numbers are now active.
2️⃣1️⃣ Health professionals are working on a shift basis
5️⃣4️⃣ Professionals have been trained
📞 0471 2309250, 0471 2309251, 0471 2309252, 0471 2309253, 0471 2309254, 0471 2309255
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) March 11, 2020
The CM also released a list of precautions to be taken by people in the affected areas of the state.
कोविड -19 प्रभावित क्षेत्रों के लोगों को इन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए।
করোনা ভাইরাস সংক্রমিত হয়েছে এমন জায়গার মানুষদের যে সকল বিষয় মাথায় রাখতে হবে:
കോവിഡ് 19 ബാധിത പ്രദേശത്ത് നിന്നും എത്തുന്നവര് ശ്രദ്ധിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യങ്ങള്.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/CHQi6hVwS9
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) March 13, 2020
Earlier today, a 76-year old man from Karnataka became the first coronavirus fatality in India. In the time crisis, it is important to stick to all the guidelines provided by the government to safeguard yourself from being the next victim of the infection. And if you display symptoms please report to the respective authorities. It’s better to be safe than sorry!