By Our Special Correspondent

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may say yes to precautions and no to panic but there is so much more to this pandemic which is filling many with anxiety in countries like Australia, South Korea, Iran, Italy and now it has already been declared officially that India has quarantined 70 cases of the deadly novel coronavirus which manifests itself as a dry cough and high fever over a 14-day incubation period.
Reader Ruben Quadros in a Facebook replies pertinently to a general query, “Considering the incubation period of 14 days, the next 14 days will tell us how exponential the spread is. Italy with over 10,000 cases today was at zero 14 days back.” Post-China epidemic the world has reacted by calling for a stop to granting visas to travelers till end-March and precautionary notice has gone out asking schools and cinema halls to close for a fortnight in Delhi. The world is reacting to the pandemic fear by taking medical advice seriously, of washing hands several times with an antiseptic wash, not touching or shaking hands…and staying more or less at home, avoiding crowded outdoors. Wearing nose and mouth cover-up masks while out shopping although we wonder how much that helps! Children have been told to study at home till further notice.
India has banned incoming visas to international travellers till April 14 and screening for the coronavirus infection is taking place at hotels, airports, but nowhere are railway stations mentioned for screening passengers for dry coughing or high body temperature. Better late than never is the story of this runaway novel coronavirus, videos are making the rounds on social media over WhatsApp and Facebook, a slew of doctors are advising viewers how to keep their immunity levels high and how to stay safe from this seemingly Chinese virus (reportedly created in China)!
Understandably, the Chinese are not popular abroad although China where a lot may go underground has managed to control the virus from spreading further.
In Goa many educational establishments have put into place measures in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19). A press release has come in from Goa Institute of Management, V M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education and American College of Culinary & Language Arts – GIM has postponed its convocation ceremony to a later date and all international travel is being reviewed keeping in mind the government of India’s travel advisory.
At VMSIIHE a number of initiatives have been into place. Interestingly students and staff here are encouraged to drink hot water with cumin brewed in it to boost immunity! Tea and Coffee has been replaced with warm lemongrass tea rated as a healthier drink. Ice-creams and other cold items are not being served and a delegation of Portuguese students who were on an exchange program also follow preventive measures laid down. All mega events are on hold. Housekeeping department staff have been instructed to be extra vigilant in sanitizing areas frequently used by students and staff. At ACCLA all international ravel is being reviewed and business travel to and from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Spain and Germany is not permitted until further notice. In conclusion all institutions are keeping a close watch on students for signs of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing and if symptoms notices, students are reported in for medical assistance and testing. Students too have been advised to comply by health and hygiene guidelines issued by WHO and the Union Health ministry.
Although several hundred cases have been reported positive abroad (reportedly in Italy the death toll has jumped past 1,000 now and the country is in a state of earnest lock-down), in India it is still a wait and watch scenario. It helps to be prudent and take precautionary measures rather than be sorry later. For this is not ordinary coronavirus from the sound of it!