MSF fears virus surge post-poll
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 08 2021: Preparations are on to hold election in the coming few months amidst COVID-19 pandemic and election related gatherings and campaigns have been intensified in different corners of the state.

Election related gatherings and campaign in some places turned violence and this is being reported and heard by people.

All these are happening as if there is no COVID-19 and its consequences would not be good, stated Manipur Students' Federation (MSF) in a statement.

The Federation also observed that in case of further complacency the situation would be grim.

According to MSF statement issued by its publicity secretary Melem Biju, the latest report on COVID-19 pandemic mentions that more than 25 crore people across the globe have succumbed to the virus since, its outbreak in 2019 and among the victims include more than four lakh people of India and there is no significant decrease in the number of daily positive cases.

With regard to Manipur, the November 7 report of state health services mentions that the virus has taken the lives of 1934 people so far and the only way to contain the pandemic remains collective fight and responsibility.

The pandemic not only hit the globe with first, second and third waves but also saw emergence of new dangerous variants and there is no country in the world which has been officially declared as virus free.

The only way to fight the virus at present remains vaccination and strict adherence of SOPs issued from time to time, the MSF statement said, adding that the pandemic badly hit every sector in Manipur too and the state suffers more due to lack of economic resources and dependence on Central government.

Understanding this situation, people of the state need to take utmost precaution to prevent the virus and maintain SOPs strictly, the statement added.

People seem to forget that COVID-19 is a deadly communicable disease and there is'more chance of spreading the virus at crowded areas.

If utmost precaution is not taken during election, the consequences will not be good and the worst hit sections will be hand to mouth people post-election, the MSF said, adding that rich will become richer and poor will become poorer in such situation.

While expecting a worse situation post-election if the present trend of election campaign and gathering continue unabated, the MSF stressed the need for taking up a collective Step to prevent spread of COVID-19 amidst the intensified election campaign and gathering.

MSF then appealed to the state government and its health department to discuss the election in a scientific manner and take steps to prevent spread of COVID-19 during election.

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