LIVE | Dr Zafar Mirza & Firdous Ashiq press conference

[ASKardar]

 

[FuturePAF]

Any reported deaths due to Covid-19 in Pakistan? Any Indication that travelers from countries heavily affected are being quarantined, such as from Iran?

 

[PakGuns]

these faces tell me there's something hidden from us... I hope everything is fine

 

[iLION12345_1]

Any reported deaths due to Covid-19 in Pakistan? Any Indication that travelers from countries heavily affected are being quarantined, such as from Iran?

No deaths so far. Yes thousands of travelers from Iran have already been quarantined in a camp and are being screened with more underway. The spread has been controlled pretty effectively so far, but letting them in was already a big mistake that was made, hopefully things get better.

 

[FuturePAF]

No deaths so far. Yes thousands of travelers from Iran have already been quarantined in a camp and are being screened with more underway. The spread has been controlled pretty effectively so far, but letting them in was already a big mistake that was made, hopefully things get better.

If they must allow them to return, at least they are being screened and quarantined as needed. I hope they batch people in separate camps, based on the day they arrive.

 

[R Wing]

If they must allow them to return, at least they are being screened and quarantined as needed. I hope they batch people in separate camps, based on the day they arrive.

A SINGLE patient zero started infections in each country. Many countries have thousands, or tens of thousands, of cases now.

Things are NOT getting better. We are allowing hundreds/thousands of potential carriers (symptoms come on late, so fever screening upon entry isn't very useful) into our land EVERY DAY by allowing international flights at our three major airports.

 

[FuturePAF]

A SINGLE patient zero started infections in each country. Many countries have thousands, or tens of thousands, of cases now.

Things are NOT getting better. We are allowing hundreds/thousands of potential carriers (symptoms come on late, so fever screening upon entry isn't very useful) into our land EVERY DAY by allowing international flights at our three major airports.

Flights should be stopped except for those returning home, and even then they should be placed in quarantine. If they don’t want to be quarantined then they should stay in the country they are already in. Same protocol at land and sea borders, enforced by the army and navy respectively.

 

[R Wing]

Flights should be stopped except for those returning home, and even then they should be placed in quarantine. If they don’t want to be quarantined then they should stay in the country they are already in. Same protocol at land and sea borders, enforced by the army and navy respectively.

Exactly.

Singapore is allowing returnees but they are quarantined at the airport and rapid test kits (RTKs) are deployed. Within a few hours, the tests come back for all travelers - those carrying the virus are further isolated and hospitalized if necessary. Those traveling with them/in adjacent seats are re-screened. It's not rocket science, but it requires the serious mobilization of resources.

We seem to have a come one, come all policy. It's insane. All domestic measures will be meaningless.

Not to mention the travelers from Iran who were apparently quarantined at Taftan but are testing positive for the virus in Sindh (and likely whichever other parts of the country they are going back to.) Whoever is in charge of the Taftan quarantine should be put in front of a firing squad. Oh wait, this is Pakistan --- the most we can hope for is a transfer to a less important post, the highest form of punishment known to civil servants/mil officers in this land for dereliction of duty. Pathetic!

 

[FuturePAF]

Exactly.

Singapore is allowing returnees but they are quarantined at the airport and rapid test kits (RTKs) are deployed. Within a few hours, the tests come back for all travelers - those carrying the virus are further isolated and hospitalized if necessary. Those traveling with them/in adjacent seats are re-screened. It's not rocket science, but it requires the serious mobilization of resources.

We seem to have a come one, come all policy. It's insane. All domestic measures will be meaningless.

Not to mention the travelers from Iran who were apparently quarantined at Taftan but are testing positive for the virus in Sindh (and likely whichever other parts of the country they are going back to.) Whoever is in charge of the Taftan quarantine should be put in front of a firing squad. Oh wait, this is Pakistan --- the most we can hope for is a transfer to a less important post, the highest form of punishment known to civil servants/mil officers in this land for dereliction of duty. Pathetic!

Furthermore, if we can get testing kits from China or even if we can’t, we should track down each and every person that has crossed into the country in the past 2-3 months, especially those that were not properly vetted, and test them for the virus.

we maybe able to located clusters of infected people early before it spreads as it is doing in Europe or Iran. We have to mobilize on a war time basis. If we don’t we may lose tens of thousands of people in a matter of weeks, if not days if this really spreads

all new people entering the country need to be quarantined immediately upon arrival and placed in camps at the airports, seaports, or at border crossings for 14 days.

 

[R Wing]

Furthermore, if we can get testing kits from China or even if we can’t, we should track down each and every person that has crossed into the country in the past 2-3 months, especially those that were not properly vetted, and test them for the virus.

we maybe able to located clusters of infected people early before it spreads as it is doing in Europe or Iran. We have to mobilize on a war time basis. If we don’t we may lose tens of thousands of people in a matter of weeks, if not days if this really spreads

all new people entering the country need to be quarantined immediately upon arrival and placed in camps at the airports, seaports, or at border crossings for 14 days.

I applaud your unrealistic optimism. This is Pakistan. Forget all such fantasies.

Since we know our weaknesses (jaahil qaum, poor law enforcement, lack of sophisticated person-tracking, etc.), we should just nip the issue in the bud and not allow people into our borders for the next two weeks AT LEAST.

 

[FuturePAF]

I applaud your unrealistic optimism. This is Pakistan. Forget all such fantasies.

Since we know our weaknesses (jaahil qaum, poor law enforcement, lack of sophisticated person-tracking, etc.), we should just nip the issue in the bud and not allow people into our borders for the next two weeks AT LEAST.

Your right, better to optimistic then pessimistic; in hopes perhaps someone in government will do something

this would have been the perfect time to demonstrate “Discipline, Faith, and Unity”. The people would have accepted semi-draconian measures if it meant the country could have been kept safe from this virus. They may yet even accept it now.

Without following best practices, the Qaum will have to continue to endure the mismanagement of the system. I was hoping the officials will rise to the occasion, at least on this.

 

[R Wing]

Your right, better to optimistic then pessimistic; in hopes perhaps someone in government will do something

this would have been the perfect time to demonstrate “Discipline, Faith, and Unity”. The people would have accepted semi-draconian measures if it meant the country could have been kept safe from this virus. They may yet even accept it now.

Without following best practices, the Qaum will have to continue to endure the mismanagement of the system. I was hoping the officials will rise to the occasion, at least on this.

Draconian measures need vision to conceive and balls to implement. We are short on both these days.

 

[FuturePAF]

Draconian measures need vision to conceive and balls to implement. We are short on both these days.

If the army chief demanded these changes I don’t think anyone would stand in his way. I had hoped someone like him would have implemented what needs to be implemented. The serious nature of this crisis has nations like France saying “we are at war”, with relation to Coronavirus.

 

[R Wing]

If the army chief demanded these changes I don’t think anyone would stand in his way. I had hoped someone like him would have implemented what needs to be implemented. The serious nature of this crisis has nations like France saying “we are at war”, with relation to Coronavirus.

Together, the heads in RWP and ISB are known as the Docile Duo. Don't expect any 'war footing.'