Corona times2020 ......27. Uncertain times. A look at how BBMP is coping.
Karnataka which was basking in glory for the way it was handling Covid situation is now down in the dumps. Media became highly critical. Tv anchors went hoarse shouting criticisms and all the praise vanished into thin air! Equally critical were the many spokesmen from the opposition.
Anyhow, there is a new commissioner of BBMP. It is hoped he will be able to pull back the case numbers. It is good that he is thinking of getting the MLA's and other elected people involved, and augment the staff numbers. It means training and motivating new set of people. But as it is expected to be a longer haul, it is a good idea to strengthen staff at the grass roots level!
I am thankful to Jayanthi Kishen's comments on my earlier blog. In short, she wanted us to appreciate the good work done by BBMP. She gave an example of how BBMP is working diligently at the grass roots level. Which is laudable. The BBMP workers had initially a tough time dealing with people who were afraid and were ignorant!
"BBMP is doing its part. One of the housemaids, (reliable source), who stays behind Mantri Mall said, about 3 days back corporation people came and checked temperature in each and every house and recorded. They are sanitizing by spray now and then. Here also they sanitized 2nd cross Sripuram and main roads. I believe they keep calling people who are doing home quarantine.
Compared to other countries, india is doing so much, it doesn't show it because of population."
One more example from a gated community, this perhaps illustrates that congested areas, whether horizontal or vertical will have problems.
This RWA has gone one step ahead and has created their own Covid Care Centre.
It is a huge complex, one almost thought impregnable with all SOP's in place.
[Jul 19, 2020 at 1:29 PM]
🔔🔔ANNOUNCEMENT 🔔 🔔
"Hi All,
We have Covid-19 +ve case in ...... Wing .., 7th floor.
Resident had developed rashes and hence thought of getting the test done.
No other symptoms.
In consultation with BBMP, we'll either go for hospitalization or CCC in the complex.
Primary contacts - spouse & child, tested Negative
Househelp - None
No visit to Market or vegetable vendor in last 15 days
Request all the residents to take utmost precaution while stepping out :
- Maintain 6 ft distance
- Wear mask covering the nose
- Sanitize regularly"
I found the website https://covid19.bbmpgov.in/ exhaustive and worth a visit to understand more about BBMP efforts.
I would however change the name from "War Room" to "PATIENT CARE LOGISTICS CENTER"
I never liked the word 'social distancing' .
Anyhow, there is a new commissioner of BBMP. It is hoped he will be able to pull back the case numbers. It is good that he is thinking of getting the MLA's and other elected people involved, and augment the staff numbers. It means training and motivating new set of people. But as it is expected to be a longer haul, it is a good idea to strengthen staff at the grass roots level!
I am thankful to Jayanthi Kishen's comments on my earlier blog. In short, she wanted us to appreciate the good work done by BBMP. She gave an example of how BBMP is working diligently at the grass roots level. Which is laudable. The BBMP workers had initially a tough time dealing with people who were afraid and were ignorant!
"BBMP is doing its part. One of the housemaids, (reliable source), who stays behind Mantri Mall said, about 3 days back corporation people came and checked temperature in each and every house and recorded. They are sanitizing by spray now and then. Here also they sanitized 2nd cross Sripuram and main roads. I believe they keep calling people who are doing home quarantine.
Compared to other countries, india is doing so much, it doesn't show it because of population."
And "My sis-in-law said that they conducted SSLC exams in a very professional manner.....media didn't mention this"
The above is an example from a ward which is congested and it is tough to maintain distances!
If there is a case, the entire street becomes a containment zone. The number of containment zones in BU is huge.
The one below is about gated community wherein maintaining distances is possible.
My friend, Vijay Vittal, a resident of high rise apartments and a gated community who was home quarantined had this to say. "One of the residents tested positive and BBMP wanted residents on three floors of our block to be home quarantined." Three floors looks drastic. But those were the rules. Just as he and his family came out of the quarantine, another resident tested positive. Luckily for them it was beyond the three floors! He reacted " Looks like never ending. Slowly we may develop (mental) fatigue about these infections."
I wanted more details on how BBMP dealt with it. "The BBMP staff may take upto 48 hours to visit. Too many cases keeps them busy. They act hurried as they want to go thru the protocol quickly & go away. They are scared too! They wear masks n gloves, usually a team of 4 people. They make two visits, first to direct us to remain home. The second visit is to stamp our wrist, so that security at gate will not allow us to go out. It is also seen they are changing the protocol from time to time, perhaps based on their experience, practices in other cities and Int'l practice."
He also shared his RWA guidelines to give us an idea of the work involved!
"Dear residents, This is in continuation to the recent communications regarding Covid-19 positive found in flat........ BBMP officials including Senior Health Inspector visited this morning and have announced the following.
1. Covid-19 positive was detected in the resident of .... Patient’s immediate contacts (other residents in that flat) have been identified as “primary contacts” and have been sent to institutional quarantine for 14 days. They will be tested for Covid-19 and suitable action / treatment will be given by BBMP.
2. Flats in floors ........of Tower ..... shall be sealed off for 14 days. The residents of these flats must not come out of their flats for 14 days.
3. Residents of flats ....... have been identified as secondary contacts based on the fact that common maids have worked here (mother-daughter), as well as in ......Residents of these flats will have to be under home quarantine for 14 days from today, i.e. up to 27.06.2020. This means that residents from these flats must not come out of their flats.
4. Residents of flats mentioned above shall continuously monitor their health condition and in case of even mild symptoms of fever, cold or cough, they shall report to the association immediately.
5. Association will facilitate supply of daily needs / essentials to residents of the above-mentioned flats. A separate WhatsApp group will be formed for this purpose. Details will be shared in the group.
6. Maids, cooks, helpers, drivers, attendants and visitors will not be permitted to the above flats.
7. Association will issue a letter to residents of these flats stating about the quarantine. This may be used to submit to their companies as they will not be permitted to go for work.
Further BBMP has issued the following general guidelines for next 14 days.
1. All Residents should avoid walking and all other types of sports / games.
2. Meetings in common areas is not permitted.
3. Senior citizens and children (of all age groups) shall not go to common areas.
4. Wearing facial masks is absolutely mandatory in all common areas.
5. Strict social distancing to be followed in Club.
The MC has taken a decision to close all the sports facilities till 28.06.2020. Trainers and coaches will not be permitted. Clubhouse will be closed. Visitors will not be permitted. Maids, cooks and drivers will be allowed to work. It is up to the discretion of individual flats to allow / disallow the maids, cooks and drivers. Deliveries will continue to be kept at gate. Newspapers will be supplied to all flats except those in floors 11, 12 and 13 of Tower-... Milk will be supplied to all flats except those under 14-day quarantine. Entry and exit data will be recorded at the main gate for everyone, including residents. East gate will remain closed.
The MC solicits cooperation from all residents. Please do not panic and do not spread un-verified news. Lets stay united and win over the situation.
For medical extreme emergencies, please contact:..................
For any query, other than medical emergency, please text / WhatsApp to ..... Kindly avoid calling....."
MC
1. Covid-19 positive was detected in the resident of .... Patient’s immediate contacts (other residents in that flat) have been identified as “primary contacts” and have been sent to institutional quarantine for 14 days. They will be tested for Covid-19 and suitable action / treatment will be given by BBMP.
2. Flats in floors ........of Tower ..... shall be sealed off for 14 days. The residents of these flats must not come out of their flats for 14 days.
3. Residents of flats ....... have been identified as secondary contacts based on the fact that common maids have worked here (mother-daughter), as well as in ......Residents of these flats will have to be under home quarantine for 14 days from today, i.e. up to 27.06.2020. This means that residents from these flats must not come out of their flats.
4. Residents of flats mentioned above shall continuously monitor their health condition and in case of even mild symptoms of fever, cold or cough, they shall report to the association immediately.
5. Association will facilitate supply of daily needs / essentials to residents of the above-mentioned flats. A separate WhatsApp group will be formed for this purpose. Details will be shared in the group.
6. Maids, cooks, helpers, drivers, attendants and visitors will not be permitted to the above flats.
7. Association will issue a letter to residents of these flats stating about the quarantine. This may be used to submit to their companies as they will not be permitted to go for work.
Further BBMP has issued the following general guidelines for next 14 days.
1. All Residents should avoid walking and all other types of sports / games.
2. Meetings in common areas is not permitted.
3. Senior citizens and children (of all age groups) shall not go to common areas.
4. Wearing facial masks is absolutely mandatory in all common areas.
5. Strict social distancing to be followed in Club.
The MC has taken a decision to close all the sports facilities till 28.06.2020. Trainers and coaches will not be permitted. Clubhouse will be closed. Visitors will not be permitted. Maids, cooks and drivers will be allowed to work. It is up to the discretion of individual flats to allow / disallow the maids, cooks and drivers. Deliveries will continue to be kept at gate. Newspapers will be supplied to all flats except those in floors 11, 12 and 13 of Tower-... Milk will be supplied to all flats except those under 14-day quarantine. Entry and exit data will be recorded at the main gate for everyone, including residents. East gate will remain closed.
The MC solicits cooperation from all residents. Please do not panic and do not spread un-verified news. Lets stay united and win over the situation.
For medical extreme emergencies, please contact:..................
For any query, other than medical emergency, please text / WhatsApp to ..... Kindly avoid calling....."
MC
The new plan: " Home Stay": Patients not needing medical care are allowed to stay home.
This proves those in charge are proactive and are taking steps!
A friend who had an interaction with BBMP " Once we called, they came the same day, took samples and gave the test results in three days, along with the BU - ID number! Also advised home quarantine." That is good news.
One more example from a gated community, this perhaps illustrates that congested areas, whether horizontal or vertical will have problems.
This RWA has gone one step ahead and has created their own Covid Care Centre.
It is a huge complex, one almost thought impregnable with all SOP's in place.
[Jul 19, 2020 at 1:29 PM]
🔔🔔ANNOUNCEMENT 🔔 🔔
"Hi All,
We have Covid-19 +ve case in ...... Wing .., 7th floor.
Resident had developed rashes and hence thought of getting the test done.
No other symptoms.
In consultation with BBMP, we'll either go for hospitalization or CCC in the complex.
Primary contacts - spouse & child, tested Negative
Househelp - None
No visit to Market or vegetable vendor in last 15 days
Request all the residents to take utmost precaution while stepping out :
- Maintain 6 ft distance
- Wear mask covering the nose
- Sanitize regularly"
I found the website https://covid19.bbmpgov.in/ exhaustive and worth a visit to understand more about BBMP efforts.
I would however change the name from "War Room" to "PATIENT CARE LOGISTICS CENTER"
I never liked the word 'social distancing' .
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| Thanks Jayanthi Kishen for this quote! |
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| Media person would condescendingly say "Surely you should have anticipated that !" |
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| Obvious questions from Media "How can you explain this surge?" "Was it 'Complacency or Ignorance?'" and "When will it peak?"
My concerns: Logistics at the patient level. If one is tested sick, the system seems to be in place. It is said the problem is about connecting the patient to a hospital, moving him to the right one on time! Is there a system which does it quickly? Or are there still issues as it is a complex matrix between Government and Private hospitals, with their differing work culture. The egos and agendas of people in charge would play a role. I think it needs a separate look! T
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P.V.R.RAO