The Island Editorial

Cardboard coffins

The government has drawn heavy criticism for the manner in which the bodies of some Covid-19 victims were disposed of, recently. There are two schools of thought anent this issue; one insists that the families of the deceased be allowed to perform last rites while the other opines that health guidelines should be strictly adhered, in order protect others, at the expense of funerary rituals. Attempts are being made, in some quarters, to give this sensitive issue an ethno-religious twist. This is an unfortunate situation which could have been avoided if there had been some discussions thereon among the health authorities and the political religious leaders concerned. Better late than never. 

Bereavement is an extremely sensitive issue, which should be handled carefully, even in times of crisis, but unless the spread of the coronavirus is curbed, urgently, the question of performing last rites won’t simply arise, for the number of deaths will be so high that it won’t be possible even to hold separate funerals for the victims. This is what we see in countries like Italy, Spain and the US. Corpses are being kept in refrigerator trucks, meant for transporting carcasses of farm animals, and many coffins, containing the remains of Covid-19 victims, are stacked in religious places, crematoria and elsewhere, pending disposal. Some cities in Ecuador, have run out of coffins, owing to the sheer number of Covid-19 deaths, and have had to make do with cardboard boxes, as we reported yesterday.

Not even the developed world has been able to handle the Covid-19 crisis effectively. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, afflicted with the virus, is receiving oxygen treatment, in an intensive care unit. Coronavirus has not spared even the British royal family. The vulnerability of others, especially those in the developing world, goes without saying. This is the harsh reality we must not lose sight of. Sri Lankan has put up a good fight, but it won’t be able to sustain its battle, without unstinted public support, which, unfortunately, is not at a satisfactory level, according to the health authorities.

What political, religious and community leaders should do, at this juncture, is to ensure that all Sri Lankans follow health guidelines, observe the countrywide curfew, and remain indoors, so that the virus can be beaten, once and for all. The intrepid health workers are battling the highly contagious germ, against tremendous odds, risking their lives, and those of their family members; some of them even don’t have protective gear, and, sadly, their efforts are not being appreciated the way they should be. Worse, two Public Health Inspectors have been assaulted, while on duty; some suspected Covid-19 patients move about and walk into hospitals, posing a danger to health workers and others. The worst that can happen to a country, engaged in battling coronavirus, is for its health workers to perish, or be quarantined in large numbers. Covid-19 has already killed more than 100 doctors and nurses around the world.

The only way to beat the elusive germ, and, above all, prevent the need for cardboard coffins from arising, is for every citizen to act with responsibility. It is incumbent upon all religious, political and community leaders to ensure that their followers fall in line, instead of sowing confusion, suspicion and hate.