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Can parks be open during this pandemic?

Can parks be open during this pandemic?

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to reopen the parks where observance of SOPs can be ensured
14 Jun, 2020

Ever since the federal government criticised, albeit in a roundabout way, the Sindh government’s decision to impose a lockdown in the province that the latter runs, a debate on whether to put health or the economy on top of the state’s priority list has begun. And it’s a never-ending one.

As things stand right now, it seems that both are not mutually exclusive. Still, health is a subject that should be dealt with more seriousness than any other for obvious reasons. But then, health does not merely signify our physical state of being. Mental health is an equally, if not more, important aspect of our lives.

The recent loosening of lockdown led to a variety of undesirable things, one of which was the mindless, no-distance-maintained congregations of people at bazaars and markets. The much bandied about phrase ‘social distancing’ was thrown out the window, and not everyone wore a mask when they went shopping. Only time will tell what damage it’s done to our society.

On the other hand, a relatively better display of adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) was witnessed at malls. It goes to show that discipline can be maintained if the caretakers of a particular establishment set their minds to it.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to reopen the parks where observance of SOPs can be ensured

A good thing that has happened with the lockdown ease is that people, to a reasonable extent, have become health conscious (one knows that there’s a big number of us who believe that the virus is a hoax, and it’s hard to convince them it’s not). They can now be seen coming out of their homes in the evening for a brisk walk or a sprint, depending what age bracket they fit in.

Keeping that in mind, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to reopen the parks in Karachi, those ones where it can be made sure that the SOPs are followed. After all, every park has a set of guards manning its gates. One says this because staying indoors for a long stretch of time can have a detrimental effect on people’s psychological health. Fresh air, space to move around and seeing signs of everyday life is just as vital for them as keeping themselves fit and disease-free. Reports are already pouring in of domestic abuse on the rise and families finding it difficult to keep peace within the four walls of their houses.

England is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. But even there, recently citizens have been allowed to meet in groups of up to six people outside, in parks of private gardens, as long as they remain six feet apart. Since we are not particularly known for our discipline, parks in the city can be opened for a particular time period, let’s say, from 6am to 9am or 5pm to 7.30pm, so that fresh air could be breathed in to ward off depression and anxiety.

Originally published in Dawn, June 14th, 2020

Comments

M. Saeed Jun 14, 2020 02:03pm
Even a n asymptomatic passerby within the 6 ft. limit of SOP can be a potential danger. Virus is extremely tiny and durable in breath droplets for at least several minutes in the air. These facts should be considered for keeping safe distances even in open parks.
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Saif Zulfiqar Jun 14, 2020 02:33pm
UK opens all the parks and zoos of the country but the people mus keep distances between them atleast 1 meter.
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Haroon Rashid Jun 14, 2020 03:23pm
Grateful Mr. Pirzada Salman on Parks being closed to COVID-19 adherence. Karachi being the city with fewer parks which possibly is a Life message of Life to visitors early on the indicated times of this clip with access after physical interview, signing of MOU by the individual with a non transferable photo ID. being non transferable, and a Fee for administrative costs to be followed. Climate Change in Karachi magnified COVID-19 compliance to majority Karachites. This should be fully supported by the Honorable of KMC by personal visits, randomly, compliance, administration, maintenance of the parks. Climate Change support tree plantantions supported by the Government, should be 100% supported by KMC with the enforcement agencies to RENEW, all park sites, in Karachi as only Kidney Hill Park is done with the spirit. I mentioned/identified several public parks encroached should be converted to park yesterday without any discrimination, as public Park Capacity Building compliance.
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ALREHAN Jun 14, 2020 04:37pm
Agree mental health is very important
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Bhaijan Jun 14, 2020 08:01pm
Parks and beaches are opened in US, while people are following guidelines. But in Pak people lives in congested areas, narrow lanes, hugely populated, the commuter buses are jam packed inside, even people seen on roofs of buses , like bee hives, so who can control the unruly mob in great numbers on beaches or parks. Hence the parks & beaches shouldn’t be opened in Pak at the moment.
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Laila Jun 15, 2020 03:55am
In countries that implemented a full lockdown 3 months ago, with no exemption for clerics or TV shows, and informed their public and enforced social distancing and precautions, YES, they are now in phase 2 and can open their parks under continued precautions and social distancing. Pakistan, NO. PMIK was sadly busy with denial and not implementing a lockdown instead consulting and caving to mullahs with no enforcement of social distancing or public awareness. We are only now entering phase 1.
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Plastikman Jun 15, 2020 05:51am
Does Karachi has Parks ?
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Beacon of hope Jun 19, 2020 10:00am
While most of the people adopted sedantary life style that is against nature so heavenly sake open all condescending parks please
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