Opposition suggests steps to fight coronavirus

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 5

Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha suggested to the government a range of measures to check-mate the novel coronavirus. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad suggested that control rooms be set up in every office of the CMOs which should be linked to the Health Ministry to monitor the situation. He said that public places like bus stands and railways stations should be focused for spreading awareness.

AAP member Sanjay Singh said that there should be thermo detection machines installed at the gates of the Parliament to spot those possibly infected.

SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav said the government should focus in urban pockets as “coronavirus couldn’t make it to rural areas.” CPI (M) member TK Rangarajan said the government should explore the effectiveness of the homeopathic and ayurvedic medicines as anti-dote to the virus.

Binoy Vishwan wanted to put across his point, but struggled due to apparent throat problem. He was not much audible, which caught Naidu’s attention. “You have to be tested before…,” Naidu said, which evinced laughter in the House. He later explained that the observation was made in lighter vein.

Vandana Chavan of the NCP drew Naidu’s attention that there were suggestions in some quarters for use of cow urine and cow dung to fight the virus. Naidu cut her short saying that controversial statements should be avoided.

Tapan Das of the BJP suggested large gathering had been curbed in a number of countries to prevent spread of the virus and the idea should be given consideration in India.