COVID-19

As per latest data, 32 BBMP wards are now COVID hotspots. While previous data from the BBMP war room had discrepancies, these have been corrected now, say officials.

Senior citizens are highly vulnerable now, both due to difficulty accessing services and their higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Here are some initiatives – delivery of essentials, help with hospital visits, counselling services etc – specifically to help seniors in this period.

Workers who build Namma Metro are living in crammed rooms, unable to follow social distancing during the lockdown. A recent study shows that most of them haven’t got salaries for February and March, and aren’t getting free rations.

Citizen Matters and Wipro Foundation are jointly conducting a survey to collect data on the services available to vulnerable communities during the lockdown. Read on to find the survey form and more details.

Since mid-March, government hospitals in the city seem to have been cleaned up and prepared to deal with COVID-19. But what is the average government hospital like, otherwise? How can we ensure they are well-maintained all the time, and not just during emergencies?

The police has received both appreciation and criticism for its enforcement of the lockdown. In this candid interview, DG&IGP Praveen Sood says they weren’t prepared for the situation and are still learning and adapting.

Over a century ago, Bengaluru faced the plague, a far bigger threat than COVID-19 today. But the administration’s proactive, well-planned measures not just saved the city but also strengthened its public health system.

Plants in public places are becoming water-starved during the lockdown. In Vasanth Nagar, four residents have been going out and watering such plants to ensure they stay alive.

As several migrant workers were left without subsistence following the lockdown, three residents of Sadashivanagar went around to identify them, pool resources and then distribute rations.

While the supply chain of several commodities have been disrupted following the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19, milk supply in the city is able to carry on almost unaffected and with minimal operational challenges. The dairy sector’s managers say that losses, if any, are marginal and can be recovered in the post-lockdown period.

The COVID-19 lockdown has had severe impacts on the lives of Bengalureans. Hence, before deciding on the lockdown exit strategy, the state government should be transparent about its rationale and should involve various stakeholders.

Bengalureans will likely have to deal with the effects of COVID-19 for long. By setting up Disaster Management Cells at the ward level, we can ensure that everyone stays safe and that their needs are met.