India is the third worst-hit country by the COVID-19 virus after the US and Brazil. The virus has now spread to the entire nation and we are receiving nearly 1,00,000 new cases every day in India. It is highly contagious and can become potentially dangerous especially in elderly people with co-morbidities and people with low immunity. However, the good news is that its virulence has come down slightly and health care providers are now better equipped with the required medicines. Very soon, we are expecting a vaccine to be available in the market. Interestingly, a sero-surveillance survey conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has found 57% of the samples from slums and 16% from non-slums population in Mumbai had already developed COVIDS-19 antibodies in their blood. If this is so, then most of Mumbai will soon reach the stage of herd immunity giving some relief to the people of Mumbai.

Gokul has been very supportive towards our members and the Society at large by helping needy people by giving direct financial assistance and providing monthly ration. We have provided monthly ration to the children of 200 families studying at Dharavi Municipal School and the Construction workers working at our Gokul site. We have also provided financial assistance to more than 225 families belonging to the underprivileged members of the society residing in Mumbai, Mangalore, and the Udupi region. We have provided rupees 5000 per family for their monthly ration and medicines for about 125 families in Mangalore and Udupi Taluk and about 100 families in Mumbai.

Treatment of covid-19 disease is very expensive and needs prolonged hospitalization and medicines are expensive too. Hence we have now extended this financial support to our members who have suffered from COVID-19. We have extended this financial support to our members who have suffered from covid-19 and need hospitalization and also moral support to reduce mental stress. We have also donated substantial amount to PM care fund.

Treatment of covid case is not only treating the patient, but also patient's relatives have to be educated to maintain complete isolation with proper care. Entire family has to be quarantined to prevent spread in the community. They also need to be educated about the need of proper testing for early detection. It is necessary to educate the society about the covid affected patients that they are not untouchable forever. After 15 days of isolation or once the report is negative, they are as normal as anyone else. We are spending a lot of time educating the society at large to erase the social stigma by conducting lectures video presentations and educating the common man. Let us all join hands to minimise the human suffering and try to eradicate covid-19 disease said BSKB Association President Dr.Suresh S.Rao Kateelu.