Sudha Murthy Offers Help to Karnataka Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Sudha Murthy, the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation has written a letter to the Karnataka government amid Coronavirus outbreak. She has asked the authorities to take preventive measures before the spread of the virus worsens and more people are attacked. As per NDTV, she has urged the government to take steps to shut down malls and theatres as the virus multiplies real quick in air-conditioned spaces.

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Sudha Murthy, who is a social worker and spends time scaling up solutions to social challenges, has discussed the prevailing situation with Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, the Chairman and Executive Director of Narayana Health.

Taking into consideration the news of the first death from Coronavirus that came from the state, she wants quick action to be taken before things slip out of the hands of the government.

In the letter that she wrote to the Chief Minister, B. S. Yediyurappa, Sudha has suggested compulsory closing down of schools and colleges with immediate effect. She has also asked for the closure of malls and theatres and "all air-conditioned areas where the virus multiples", and permit only essential services like pharmacy, grocery and petrol pumps to operate. The virus reportedly spread as easily in areas like Singapore that face perennially hot weather, and Australia where there is peak summer. Keeping this in view, Murthy stated, "It is not scientifically proven that the virus dies in high temperature".

Sudha Murthy has said that if such an epidemic hits, private hospitals won't be able to manage the cases

She has requested the concerned authorities to vacate one government hospital with at least 500-700 beds for this purpose which would require making oxygen lines and pipes available. While Devi Shetty has agreed to share resources like medical equipment, Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of software giant Infosys has volunteered to do the civil work. She also spoke to some key ministers including education minister S Suresh Kumar, health minister B Sriramulu and medical education minister K Sudhakar offering them suggestions.

Sudha Murthy who also heads the State government constituted Karnataka Tourism Task Force, said: "We would like to work with the government proactively so that we can prevent this as early as possible." The state of Karnataka has six confirmed coronavirus positive cases which include the 76-year-old man from Kalaburgi who died on Tuesday night - the very first case of death due to the disease in India.

The Chief Minister has responded with regard to the ongoing panic created by the virus and the ministers will hold a meeting with the senior officials on Monday with Murthy and Shetty in attendance. The medical education minister has said that the government will check out suitable hospitals for the purpose as soon as possible.

We would like to work with the government proactively so that we can prevent this as early as possible - Sudha Murthy

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Saavriti is an intern with SheThePeople.TV