New Delhi|HL
The outbreak of pandemic disease SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in India has reached to the second stage. A total of 271 individuals have been confirmed positive among suspected cases.
On Sunday, March 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a ‘Janata curfew’ as and stressed on the importance of social distancing in the country’s fight against the menace of COVID19.
The world today is facing an invisible enemy, and societies across borders are severely affected by the fast-spreading virus. There has been an enormous toll with deaths, sickness and economic fallout. In a wake of this disease, doctors call for the suspension of public gatherings and agitation to save millions of lives.
We, the healthcare workers, would ask all citizens to immediately suspend any such gathering, to prevent avoidable deaths. Also, we ask those who supported the agitation, to issue statements requesting withdrawal of these agitations, considering the pandemic said Dr. Vivek Bindal, Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
Healthcare workers are at the forefront of this crisis and have the maximal chances of getting infected. They are risking their loved ones, but still continuing to work to prevent avoidable deaths added Dr.Bindal.
A senior paediatrician from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital stressing on the subject and said children and infants are more vulnerable to coronavirus. If any child got infected with COVID-19 is indirectly became reason for community spread . At this time, government has strongly advised social distancing, and isolation at home for all citizens, except for essential services. This is the only way to delay the spread of the virus and flatten the curve, to prevent avoidable deaths. Most institutions and the public at large are following these guidelines, to save our society and loved ones.
The COVID-19 is spreading through droplet infection and in public gathering and agitations, such disease can spread fast. People should avoid being a part of any such programmes not for self but for the nation. The educated class, which supported the agitation, has a responsibility to speak up now and tell agitators to withdraw and postpone the gatherings to safeguard lives of unsuspecting people said Dr.Mahendra Pal, CMO-NDMC.
Highlighting on the social distance during this period Dr.Bindal state- It is painful to see agitations like shaheen bagh continue even in this pandemic, which spares no religion, caste, or country. In spite of multiple requests by authorities, the protesters are continuing with their gatherings, which is a fertile ground for virus to spread. They are a threat to the entire society, as any infection is not going to be limited to them, but will spread like wildfire in the city and country.
We also suggest people can protest staying at home by using digital and social media platforms through which they can reach masses.
The people who supported the agitation are not going to primarily deal with the consequence of any COVID-19 infection amongst the protesters, but healthcare workers and hospitals would. It would expose and possibly kill many innocent people, should there be any transmission at such gatherings.
Healthcare workers are the ones who will get exposed to the virus, for the fault of someone else.
