Let's block COVID-19 not roads, advises PTFC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2020: The Peoples' Task Force for COVID-19 (PTFC-19) has said that complying with measures such as social distancing (6 feet), hand washing and mask-wearing can prevent COVID-19 infection upto 99.9 percent and there is absolutely no need for blocking streets and entrances of localities.

According to a statement of PTFC-19, the surge in the coronavirus infection in the State is reaching an alarming rate with seven deaths reported.

What is even more alarming is that in some localities there is sign of community spread.

Considering the inferior health facilities, the poverty rate and the poor financial condition of the State Government, it can be said that the State has reached a certain level where containing the spread will become difficult, PTFC-19 said.

However people need to retrospect the steps that are being taken up in order to prevent themselves from the virus infection.

A new trend of blocking the entrances of localities, villages, streets has started.

This trend was also seen during March/April but many called it a wrong move.

Unfortunately this trend is repeating now, PTFC-19 further said.

On August 3, during a press conference at Geneva, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated "there's no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be, please comply with measures such as social distancing, hand washing and mask-wearing," PTFC-19 said.

PTFC-19 said following these three simple instructions is the only way to keep away COVID-19 infection.

"Let's consider, even if the entrance of a locality or village is sealed completely and some people in the locality or village start to sneak out secretly by jumping drains or in the middle of the night wouldn't that be more dangerous," PTFC-19 questioned.

"During emergency situation if we are unable to call the doctor or fire service due to blockage, how are we going to save lives," PTFC-19 further questioned and added that the right way is to allow people to meet freely by strictly following the norms.

People Task Force For COVID-19 Unit of every locality instead should make sure that everyone in their respective locality follow the three measures i.e social distancing, wearing mask, hand washing or using hand sanitizers.

The entrance points of the locality should be used to bring awareness to the people.

Meanwhile, due to the lockdown imposed by the Government for the last six months, many people who depend on the income of the produce from their farms are facing a lot of difficulties to sell their produce.

On the other hand many people who want to buy the same are also suffering due to closure of markets.

But the most affected ones are the one who depend on daily wages.

Above all these difficulties, by blocking the roads and streets more problems are added to these people who are already suffering, PTFC-19 added.

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