Lock down is in our favour
The administration in several districts in Jammu and Kashmir have issued directions for closure of many public places including plans of televised classes for students to ensure that the outbreak of coronavirus does not happen and reach a point which cannot be handled given the poor healthcare infrastructure in the UT.
While all educational institutions in Srinagar and Jammu cities have also been ordered to close down till further orders, the district administration in Srinagar also directed the head of the departments and institutions to devise and submit proposals for televised classes for students by 20 March.
The administration is also ensuring shutdown of all hostels, canteens, parks, gardens, restaurants and roadside eateries. Even the home delivery of food has also been banned.
Though conferences, workshops, rallies and sit-in protests too have been put on hold even the management of community halls has been directed not to take any booking for any function, be it religious or social. These measures are a slew of other steps that have been announced to ensure less people to people contact.
Since the J&K Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 have been extended to both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir, the steps seem necessary to tackle the contagious coronavirus disease.
Social distancing, as has been proven in various regions that were badly hit by the virus holds the key to stop the rapid spread of the deadly virus. And if the administration is ensuring that social distancing is maintained, we need to encourage the move.
COVID-19 spread can be reduced drastically by various interventions which includes remaining out of crowded settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others whenever possible.
Even at this point of time the people should voluntarily avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport; avoid crowded places and large gatherings and try not to spit in public. People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent handwashing with soap and water and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes so that the transfer of the virus is minimized.
Given the severity of the disease and possibly no cure available for the same as yet people have to resort to self control rather than feel aggrieved by the orders issued by the administration.
The world is at war with the coronavirus at the moment and in places like China, Italy, Spain, Us, Iran and many other developed countries the fatalities have been in hundreds. This depicts the severity of the virus spread and the infrastructure needed to take on the fight.
In places like Jammu and Kashmir the only solution lies in self precautions and even if that means avoiding visits to close relatives and friends for the time being. After all coronavirus has taught us that preventions are better than cure.
KV Network
