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Prof. Malavige explains why even Singapore down with Indian variant
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Prof. Neelika Malavige of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayewardenepura University yesterday said only those engaged in providing essential services should be allowed to travel.
Employees should not be allowed to eat together, Prof. Malavige said. “You take masks off when you eat. If a group of people sit together and eat, all the precautions taken during the rest of the day will be in vain. Every country that has successfully controlled the spread, has adopted such measures.”
Prof. Malavige said the new variants were more infectious and could remain in the air longer in enclosed, especially air conditioned, environments.
“The virus is spread by droplets. If someone in an enclosed area coughs and emits droplets into the air. This can remain airborne for some time and can infect another. However, the distance that the droplets can travel is a metre. This would not be a problem at all if you are in a ventilated area or in open spaces,” she said.
“Vaccination is not the final solution to the pandemic”, Prof. Malavige said, adding that Singapore was currently under a lockdown because its airport staff, who had received both doses of Pfizer vaccine had contracted the Indian variant of COVID-19.
“They were asymptomatic cases, but infected their families, who spread it in the community,” she said, adding that vaccination was vital to ensure one’s personal safety but those who were vaccinated could contract the virus and spread it among others. She also said that it took several weeks after vaccination for people to develop immunity and therefore people should not lower their guard. “To develop some immunity after the AstraZeneca vaccine, it takes about 21 days after the first dose. However, you need to take the second dose for improved protection. You need two weeks after taking the second dose of Sinopharm to develop immunity. We have to be careful.”
Prof. Malavige said that Covid-19, like any other viral disease, had a significant effect on pregnant women, several of whom had died due to dengue, she noted.
“Any viral disease, be it chickenpox, influenza or dengue affects pregnant women. They must be careful.”
Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM
In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
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Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival
Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
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