So sad to see the news!
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
April 1, 2020 10:25am CST
Yesterday I watched the craziness going on in India of how they implemented the lockdown. People were given just four hours notice which meant millions of labourers working in the cities were stuck without any means of transport to get them back to their villages many of which were hundreds of miles away.
Their income dried up instantly and lack of accomodation and more importantly of food had been imposed on them. This draconian measure is a barbaric way of treating people. I saw photos of old people on the BBC of people on their walk back to their villages. There should have been at least three days notice. Already disadvantaged it is possible that they may take the virus back to the once safe villages.
One report of a 62 year old man on reaching his home after a a long walk and collapsing and dying on his doorstep. Others walking for hundreds of miles hoping to get to their villages and the safety of their homes.
There were thousands of people trying to get on limited buses all crowded together which makes social distancing impossible.
We have got it fairly easy having to say home with possible estimates of up to 6 months. My heart bled for these poor people last night seeing all this forced on them.
They had little choice either stay and starve or walk and possibly get to their villages safely.
I am afraid I won't be very tolerant of people complaining that they are forced to stay home and they are bored. Please think of others who are far worse off than we are and are having a far worse time.
23 people like this
24 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
I was so disturbed last night and fretted all night. This is serious Dianne and I hope everyone here remains safe! Especially my friends here! BTW if you had that lovely boat your husband wants then you could isolate yourself well away from people! A bonus as well would be no snakes at sea! 
2 people like this
@DianneN (246710)
• United States
1 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 They are a third world country and haven’t taken care of so many important things even before the virus.
I hope our families and friends remain safe. It’s so frightening.
I’m afraid of eels, too. Knowing my husband, we’d be at the bottom of the sea within a few minutes of him in a boat where the eels live..
No boat!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
@DianneN OH yes they are just as bad I guess wiggling around as they do. A couple of years ago when we were at Lake Garda we went to a very posh restaurant one of the courses was smoked eel. I thought no be brave and try it. (It was a tasting menu). It initially tasted fine then a thought of jellied eels some thoughts came into my mind and my stomach nearly went into reverse action so stopped eating that course after one mouth full.
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79699)
• United States
1 Apr 20
I can't even comprehend what's going on in India and that picture is just horrible and sad.
I thank God every day for being the comfort of my own home .
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
It disturbed me so much having read a few reports I had a very disturbed night waking up every half an hour. I am with you on that Marilyn. Although I have not gone back to work I am giving advice from home. It is going to get a hell of a lot worse I'm afraid. You are doing the right thing! 
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
1 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Germans are not under complete lockdown yet. I've just returned from shopping. The streets are nearly empty, hardly any cars and only few people can be seen.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169912)
• United States
1 Apr 20
This whole situation is a hardship all over the world. It doesn't seem India has done a very good job managing their population even under the best of circumstances..
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
True but then our countries are completely different and poverty is not as awful as it is there., I hope we will all be safe but this is going to change the way things are done in the future. I am pleased Mr Trump seems to have got a grip on the reality of this situation now. Worrying times for us all!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
HI @Valmnz I hope you are doing well? I have been looking at photos of New Zealand. What a beautiful country I hope this virus thing has settled down by the end of the year and we will be able to visit Auckland?
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12594)
• Ireland
1 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Amen to that. I think I'd just curl up and die if I was treated like that. Such measures are going to exacerbate the situation, forcing people to move around the country in such close contact. I've heard a few complaints here about how ridiculous it is not being able to do whatsoever we wish - words fail me.
2 people like this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
1 Apr 20
The world is definitely going to have some serious thinking to do once this is all over. Those poor people have so much more to fear than just the virus. Starvation and worry whether they will even reach their homes. Imagine the families waiting at home. This is awful and makes what we are going through look like a ride in the park.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
You are not wrong there. Hopefully people will look at being kinder to those less fortunate than themselves for starters. The WHO and governments need to get their acts together to respond in a far quicker way.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86759)
• United States
2 Apr 20
My God
That is heartbreaking Gary.
Thank you for sharing this, I had been unaware sort of ..afraid to watch the news.
God help them
That is heartbreaking Gary.
Thank you for sharing this, I had been unaware sort of ..afraid to watch the news.
God help them1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86759)
• United States
2 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Right Gary. It is inhuman.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
@RebeccasFarm Thank the lord we live where we do. Poor people!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Yes Imagine having to walk from Denver to San Francisco! Unbelievable. Poor people!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
We are all very fortunate to live where we do Alfredo. I bet you are pleased you do not live in New York!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Apr 20
Looking at that photo, if one person in that crowd has the coronavirus, then it looks like all 10,000 people in that crowd are going to catch the virus. Not very good social distancing right there if you ask me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118433)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Just based on that photo alone I think India is going to get hit hard with the virus. That's just crazy!
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Very ill thought out and worse how the police have been acting too!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
@JudyEv OH dear how awful. In those cultures life is worthless. In Vietnam they made us get out of our tour bus on a ferry and stand on the top deck in case it capsized but their own people were kept in vehicles! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325696)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 In Indonesia, the police have been told to shoot anyone who gives them any trouble.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
That is why they had no option but to return to their villages for example from Portugal to France. Ridiculous distance and walking in the heat hundreds of miles away!
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55698)
• Portugal
3 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 The government should have predicted this and provided the means to help those people.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
1 Apr 20
God only knows what is correct and how can we deal with this mess.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
Absolutely but to have left those with no means of getting home quickly and safely is unforgivable. I think every government around the world will learn much from this pandemic and hopefully draw up protocols and act on them as soon as they happen in future.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
@amitkokiladitya Not only is it possible it is essential for future pandemics! I am sure many lessons will be learnt from this! It is a shame that it has come to show how vulnerable everyone is!
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
1 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 that is possible only if we rise safe from the present situation
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Very true. I think all governments will learn something from this. It was just a matter of time before something of this magnitude hit us Sadly it is now!
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
4 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Not to inject politics into the discussion, BUT here we of course have an election coming. I think the choice is clear the direction we need to go here. I would not feel at all comfortable with a Biden administration at the helm in a situation like this.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Indeed but I am afraid we are going to have to prepare ourselves as things are likely to get much worse before it gets better. In the meantime stay safe and stay home!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 That is what all the news stories are saying. I am stying home.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
Very true! There by the grace and all that!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
It is a bit like telling you to return home on foot from Oregon to Las Vegas! The stupidity is overwhelming!
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
2 Apr 20
I am over of the free still working as my job is an essential business but out employees are taking new measures starting this Friday where everyone working will have their temps taken and they will be questioned about their symptoms it any before being allowed to work.
There are requests on the entrance that if any are sick to stay out but most customers still don't understand the six foot rule and they will bring their babies and little ones in shopping with them.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
OH dear some people have left their brains at home! I despair of some people. Well done it sounds like you are on the ball!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Yes and I hope that each country takes stock of where and how we did things wrong and what we can do to make sure this never gets the same momentum again!
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 20
We are in a better situation than many in India!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 20
Absolutely. How is the situation in South Africa. I was due to be in Cape Town yesterday but our flights were cancelled!
1 person likes this
@agwira18 (497)
• South Africa
2 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Gary for now things are about dull just under 1500 infections with 5 deaths. We are trying our best to stay indoors!
1 person likes this
