Safety measures implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus have led to a drop in traffic levels and an improvement in air quality in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National 
Safety measures implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus have led to a drop in traffic levels and an improvement in air quality in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National 

Abu Dhabi's air can be kept clean long after restrictions are lifted



With reference to Gillian Duncan's report Coronavirus: Air quality in Abu Dhabi continues to improve due to restrictions (May 9): I for one am very keen for this to continue even after restrictions are lifted. Never have I seen the sky at night so black, the sea so blue or so many birds singing in the trees. Mother Nature it would seem needed only a helping hand for her to begin the process of restoration to the environment. 
We can do with fewer trips in the car to the shops and malls, fewer days out to amuse the children, fewer flights per annum.
Let's continue to connect with our families, entertain and exercise at home where possible, shop wisely and efficiently.
Should every household contribute, then surely the quality of our air, the land and the sea will continue to flourish.
I wish wellness to all. Let's be kind and protect the environment.
Jane Bett, Abu Dhabi

India's toxic leak reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy 

Regarding the article India gas leak: evacuation zone widened around Visakhapatnam plant (May 8): the 1984 tragedy at the Union Carbide factory in the city of Bhopal that claimed over 3700 lives is still in our memory. This accident at the polymer factory that took away 11 lives must be investigated. I pray for the departed and for the speedy recovery of the hundreds injured.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Children have their theories about the coronavirus, too

Regarding Emma Day's report 'It's spiky balls inside you': Watch kids share thoughts on the coronavirus (May 7): feels good to hear from kids.

Manish Anilkumar Ayare, Mumbai, India 

The plight of India's migrant workers trudging home on foot

The report Train runs over Indian workers returning home amid coronavirus lockdown (May 8): this was horrifying to read. The workers were resting on their long journey home on their feet. In India an estimated 140 million migrant workers have been displaced since the lockdown was declared on March 22. Since then we have seen heart-rending scenes of labourers, parents carrying children and also children carrying elderly parents on their backs, trudging home on highways, walking sometimes 200 to 800 kilometres over a period of eight to 10 days to reach their villages.

Special trains have now been arranged to transport some of the migrant workers home. However, millions are yet walking along highways, without food, water or shelter. Buses should be arranged to pick them up wherever they are to transport them back home to their villages.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

 

 

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

INDIA SQUAD

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)