Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary

While most expecting fathers dream of holding their child for the first time to feel the joy of holding his future in his arms, the reality was very different for one Shariful Islam.

As evening falls, an eerie silence now replaces the usual cacophony of honking buses, hawkers shouting out their wares, and music blaring from sidewalk shops at Gabtoli Bus Terminal.

Although there are criticisms over the role of some healthcare employees, many of them are giving it all on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus.

At the crack of dawn today, an air of festivity was supposed to flow across the country.

Healthcare employees treating Covid-19 patients may stay in the hotels and motels of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation for free.

The government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has been plagued by inappropriate decisions, delayed actions and muddled thinking -- right from the beginning.

The blood donations different voluntary organisations and blood banks receive have decreased sharply amid the outbreak of novel coronavirus, raising fears that many patients in need would not get the blood.

At a time when many garment factory owners are facing criticism for keeping their units open during the countrywide coronavirus shutdown, an owner has set a good example by giving two month’s salaries to his workers and other staffers.

While organisations and individuals keep coming up with support for the poor amid the countrywide shutdown, many lawmakers are yet to be seen on the ground.

Stuck at home for the past two weeks, Arhaan Habib, a kindergarten student, looks dejected. As he cannot go out amid the nationwide shutdown, he spends most of his time playing with toys and watching YouTube videos on mobile phone. He finds it extremely hard to concentrate on his studies.

As the authorities are set to extend the shutdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, experts have pointed out that lax enforcement of the ongoing nationwide closure has raised questions about the effectiveness of the government move.

An unknown fear grips Azizur Rahman every time he comes out of his home in the morning. An ambulance driver for years, Azizur feels he might contract coronavirus anytime as he has to come in contact with different patients every now and then.

The government is likely to extend the ongoing shutdown for at least a week as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Mainul Islam was waiting by his rickshaw near an almost deserted Nakhalpara Rail Gate in the capital for over 20 minutes.

Amid widespread outrage over police excess in enforcing restrictions on people’s movement, the authorities yesterday issued several directives asking police and other officials to act professionally.

It seems like Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s (BRTA) wake-up call has come too late.

Ignoring the government advice to stay home, people in droves continued to leave Dhaka for their village homes yesterday.

The government has decided to suspend all public transport services to slow the spread of novel coronavirus, inching closer to enforcing a lockdown.

The government is planning to turn a major section of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway into an expressway to ensure better connectivity between the capital and Mymensingh division, where 10 economic zones will be established.

Confusion spread over the decision to put Sadullapur upazila of Gaibandha under lockdown yesterday, after a upazila committee to contain coronavirus, led by the UNO, made the recommendation to do so in a letter to the district administration.