R. VIMAL KUMAR
TIRUPUR, MARCH 27
With the scientific world cannot figure out how long the coronavirus pandemic would last, it looks that ‘good civic sense’ alone during the lockdown period can save our lives.
The lockdown, directed by both the central and state governments, has been with the good objective of ensuring social distancing and thereby cut the chain of the virus spreading from one person to another.
However, it is yet not sure how much seriousness had been given by a section of the population in cities like Tirupur if one goes by the acts of certain people.
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Since people not allowed to come out of their homes without purpose, many of them in residential localities in Tirupur could be seen resort to chatting among the neighbours in groups and children in the neighbourhood playing together. People also found spitting in public spaces and endangering the health of others.
According to Dr. A. Muruganathan, former state president of the Indian Medical Association, these tendencies should be avoided.
“People are yet to learn the seriousness. Many think that lockdown means a holiday or leisure period rather than understand that it was announced with the sole aim of social distancing. Prime Minister Modi was correct in saying that ‘Lakshman Rekha’ drawn at the house should not be jumped,” pointed out Dr. A. Muruganathan.
With one businessman in Tirupur tested Covid-19 positive, R. Girish, founder member of Tirupur Exporters and Manufacturers Association, had appealed to the industrialists that they should immediately inform the health authorities about any symptoms.
“Spreading of disease could prove to be disastrous to the entire business in the future. They should remember that unless they defeat the virus and remain alive, no business is possible,” said R. Girish.
Social media bares police excesses
Meanwhile, many videos are circulating on social media where police could be seen profusely beating up people who had come to the streets.
Some police personnel could also be seen asking people why they were not wearing masks.
But medical experts like Dr. Muruganathan say that there are strict guidelines by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for wearing masks and how to wear a mask which many people don’t know yet.
“Not everyone should wear a mask. Healthy persons need not wear a mask always but only when taking care of a person infected with Covid-19. Besides, people with cough and sneezing should use the mask. The way to use mask including how to be tied, and when to be disposed of, all are explained by WHO,” said Dr. Muruganathan.
Punishment for breach of quarantine
N. Shanmugasundaram, a social activist and president of the Nallur Consumer Welfare Association, said police should not beat people as there are enough laws to punish people moving without any purpose while quarantine is in force.
Legal experts said Sections 188 (violation of order promulgated by the government), 269 (Negligently doing any act known to be likely to spread), and 270 (Malignantly doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease) of Indian Penal Code, were there.
Further, people can also be booked under Section 271, which criminalises disobedience of quarantine rule. It says that whoever disobeys any rule by the government to regulate the conduct of places where an infectious disease prevails shall be punished with six-month imprisonment or fine.
Violating orders issued by a public servant can lead to a fine of Rs 200 and simple imprisonment of one month for violating an order of a public servant. The penalty of Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of six months can also be imposed, if the disobedience causes danger to human life, health or safety.
The Central government had already advied the state governments and the UT Administrations to invoke the stringent Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 as one of the preventive measures.
