People are talking about—

— the fact that while the government has begun distribution of food to the deserving, the system by which this distribution is carried out needs to be properly organized, more in line with how NGO’s are dealing with it. People say the unruly crowds near distributing points, which include men women and children, grabbing at the parcels should not be allowed; orderly lines should be enforced while checking that no one gets more than their share.

— how some unscrupulous persons are trying to profit from the current crisis in the country by hoarding essential food supplies and how shameful this behaviour is. People say it is these few black sheep who bring a bad name to the country where the majority are well known for their charitable nature so these hoarders should be severely dealt with by the law enforcers and their stocks confiscated to teach them a lesson.

— how entities on all sides of the political divide are busy in point scoring by blaming each other on what should have been done to counter the threat of the virus that has shaken the world, instead of working together to solve the problem. People say now is the time to put aside differences and think of the general public which cast its votes in favour of the lawmakers of their choice as they promised to make things better for them.

— human resilience and how many persons are making the most of the situation by putting encouraging words and cartoons that make you smile - or laugh out loud - on social media and how they too are providing a good service in their own way. People say stress also plays a great part in how every individual responds to a crisis and by putting out posts that relieve it, even for a short while, is a positive step in the right direction.

— the decision to declare construction work as an industry and allow it to continue working and how it is being criticized by all those who consider themselves experts on the subject. People say these ‘experts’ need to go out and see in what conditions most of the labourers live and then they will realize that allowing them to work using protective gear is a better option than that they should stay cooped up with their families in small huts or rooms.

—- the ingenious method that the technicians of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology have developed and declared a success that allows for using one ventilator for a multiple of four patients and that too at a very reasonable cost. People say the health authorities should immediately adopt the procedure so that more patients can be accommodated, at least until the shortage of ventilators is taken care of.

— the request by the only alcohol producing company, which brings in much needed foreign exchange by exporting their product, that it should be given permission to manufacture hand sanitizer as it has the capability to do so. People hope that this offer will be considered seriously by the government so that genuine sanitizer is available easily as a lot of fake ones are being sold in the market. — I.H.