Kolkata: Public health experts, doctors, mental health specialists, virologists and citizens from across the spectrum have called on experts strategizing on restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19 in Kolkata and other metropolitan areas to refrain from closing open green spaces every time cases rise.
Currently, city parks and lakes are closed. In the last two years, these public places have been closed for 14 months. During the few months that they have been open, the hours have been extremely restrictive and children have not been allowed to enter.
public health expert charulata banerjee, which specializes in maternal and child nutrition, believes that access to parks is vital not only for children and the elderly who have been confined to their homes for almost two years, but also to stay fit and build immunity to fight the virus. “It is imperative that parks reopen as soon as possible so that people who have to go out to work can get their share of exercise,” he said.
Psychiatrist Jai Ranjan Ram, also called for the immediate opening of parks and squares, pointing out that they have a profound impact on people’s mental well-being, especially in a difficult time like the pandemic, when the normal way of life has been disrupted. “Just being in the lap of nature and seeing other people having fun can have a very positive effect,” he explained.
Even virologists are perplexed by the decision to close the parks. “The transmission of a virus is many times higher in a closed space with air conditioning than in the open air. The closure of parks and lakes defies logic. These are safer places than markets, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and pubs,” he said. Sreedhar Chinnaswamy, which investigates the genetics of infectious diseases.
mental health activist Ray Ratnaboli he feels that people should take back public spaces. “One is safe to drink in an air-conditioned bar, ride a crowded bus, shop in a congested market. But it is risky to walk or play in a park or lake. Again, a park becomes safe when a fair is organized”, he asked.
If Maidan is the city’s lungs and East Kolkata Wetlands its kidneys, the more than 600 parks are the pores: the mechanism for controlling temperature, says green activist Bonani Kakkar. “When the parks are closed, it affects physical and mental health. of a person. Any city would be blessed to have so many parks,” he said.
Corporation Executive Shankho Chowdhuri says it’s not enough to open parks and lakes for a few hours in the morning and evening, but to keep them open for long hours so people can go at their leisure. “Let’s not do what happens in the markets when restricted hours generate crowds. Please free up the open spaces of the city,” he pleaded.
Currently, city parks and lakes are closed. In the last two years, these public places have been closed for 14 months. During the few months that they have been open, the hours have been extremely restrictive and children have not been allowed to enter.
public health expert charulata banerjee, which specializes in maternal and child nutrition, believes that access to parks is vital not only for children and the elderly who have been confined to their homes for almost two years, but also to stay fit and build immunity to fight the virus. “It is imperative that parks reopen as soon as possible so that people who have to go out to work can get their share of exercise,” he said.
Psychiatrist Jai Ranjan Ram, also called for the immediate opening of parks and squares, pointing out that they have a profound impact on people’s mental well-being, especially in a difficult time like the pandemic, when the normal way of life has been disrupted. “Just being in the lap of nature and seeing other people having fun can have a very positive effect,” he explained.
Even virologists are perplexed by the decision to close the parks. “The transmission of a virus is many times higher in a closed space with air conditioning than in the open air. The closure of parks and lakes defies logic. These are safer places than markets, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and pubs,” he said. Sreedhar Chinnaswamy, which investigates the genetics of infectious diseases.
mental health activist Ray Ratnaboli he feels that people should take back public spaces. “One is safe to drink in an air-conditioned bar, ride a crowded bus, shop in a congested market. But it is risky to walk or play in a park or lake. Again, a park becomes safe when a fair is organized”, he asked.
If Maidan is the city’s lungs and East Kolkata Wetlands its kidneys, the more than 600 parks are the pores: the mechanism for controlling temperature, says green activist Bonani Kakkar. “When the parks are closed, it affects physical and mental health. of a person. Any city would be blessed to have so many parks,” he said.
Corporation Executive Shankho Chowdhuri says it’s not enough to open parks and lakes for a few hours in the morning and evening, but to keep them open for long hours so people can go at their leisure. “Let’s not do what happens in the markets when restricted hours generate crowds. Please free up the open spaces of the city,” he pleaded.
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