COVID-19: We need to improve our prevention strategies

This is in reference to the article “Bihar doctors worried as more healthcare workers fall prey to COVID-19”, published online on July 7, 2020.The struggle against COVID-19 is everywhere, with all segments of the population doing their bit to fight the virus.The medical remedial measures too are in full swing. Still, COVID-19 cases are on the rise.This is an indication that something somewhere has gone wrong.This is not to question the efforts of medical and paramedical teams. But the preventive measures need to be streamlined further and fine-tuned. In the unlocking period, when markets open, the public goes out to buy vegetables, fish or grocery, but without taking enough precautions. Several people can be seen without masks. Several who do wear them do not cover the mouth and nose properly. Some just leave their masks hanging as necklaces, while some use handkerchiefs, which is not correct.

This disregard for precaution is a reason for the spread of the virus.The police should check the defaulters and penalise them.These markets should be scanned by drones guided from the central police control room for immediate and on-the-spot action. Such steps are likely to reduce the pressure on our medical professionals and hospitals.The government cannot designate one police officer per citizen for monitoring. We need to be perfect in our preventive measures because even small lapses can lead to huge damages.

PEESAPATY V S PRAKASH

VIA EMAIL