Sir — Amid lockdowns in countries across the world to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the kitchen seems to have become the favourite hang-out of the rich and the famous. It is no secret that staying at home makes one feel hungry. But some of the preparations that celebrities seem to be rustling up require fancy ingredients. Where, one wonders, are they getting these given that many shops have downed their shutters for the time being? Meanwhile, there are thousands of less fortunate people who do not have the luxury of eating even one square meal a day during the lockdown.

Rima Roy,

Calcutta

Renewed life force

Sir — Some environmentalists have found reason to cheer even amidst the pandemic. Carbon emissions have dropped in big cities in countries across the world. This shows that there is merit in the argument of environmentalists that occasional lockdowns can actually have a huge impact on climate change and global warming. Take, for instance, the case of Venice. Residents have noticed a vast improvement in the quality of water in the famous canals that criss-cross the city, which are running clear for the first time in years. Fish can actually be seen in the usually murky waters.

Even in Calcutta, birdcalls that had become a distant memory can be heard once again. The constant drone of construction which had become a staple in most neighbourhoods has abated and animals such as civet cats and birds such as barbets have been spotted out in the open after long.

Is there then a case for enforcing lockdowns once every week even after the present crises has abated? The climate calamity is a far bigger threat than even the coronavirus pandemic. This makes demands for a regular official lockdown justified.

Ganesh C. Das,

Calcutta

Sir — While much is being said about the positive impact that the coronavirus lockdowns are having on the environment — reduced flights, absence of automobiles on the streets and so on have brought down the level of harmful greenhouse gases in the air — few seem to have considered the amount of medical waste that is being generated in the wake of this pandemic. Disposable masks and gloves made of non-biodegradable material are being discarded by millions across the world each day. This will, in the long run, not just magnify the waste problem on earth but the items will also trap more heat and make matters worse as far as global temperatures are concerned.

While those who are sick and those taking care of the sick — be it healthcare professionals or families and friends — cannot help but wear masks and gloves, healthy people should refrain from using such items as much as possible. The World Health Organization, too, has advised healthy individuals to refrain from wearing masks as they are using up precious resources needed by patients and healthcare workers.

Roshni Sen,

Calcutta

Sir — Any reduction in the greenhouse gases caused by the global lockdowns is more than being offset by the increased internet use. People working from home are doing online work that is more data intensive — long hours of video calling for instance — and thus leaving a greater carbon footprint. Moreover, people stuck at home with nothing to do — especially, youngsters and children — are playing games, spending hours on social media, not to mention using streaming services like Netflix to binge watch films and so on.

People do not often realize it but using the internet guzzles up energy like few other things do. Research shows that sending hi-resolution images such as memes — a complete waste of time — can consume enough energy to run a fan for a few hours. A little effort can go a long way in reducing our carbon footprint while staying at home. Instead of spending all our time in front of a screen — this is also harmful for our physical and mental health — we should take time to enjoy the company of our family members, take up hobbies that we long wanted to or read books and learn to enjoy leisure.

Navneet Singh,

Chandigarh