Tasaduq Maqbool
COVID-19 otherwise called novel coronavirus is an infectious disease caused by the virus strain “severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus – 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Labeled with a pandemic tag by WHO, corona virus disease has spread globally after it was initially identified in Wuhan, China (2019). The pernicious virus has rendered the tech-savvy world helpless at the mercy of the circumstances. Not a single effective tool has been devised so far to put restrain on this jeopardous virus. It has terrified the hearts across the blue planet. Unpredictability has hit every nook and cranny of the world. Alas! It has laid a siege to the whole world. Our Kashmir which always falls prey to catastrophes and calamities is also under colossal stress. Kashmir recorded its first positive case for Novel COVID-19 on Wednesday (18th march) .According to authorities, the patient had a history of international travel and arrived in India on March 16. The ill-fated residents of kashmir who have never blessed out are at Sixes and sevens. Everybody is with a gloomy and achromatic face and yes with an obligatory unsociability. The deadly virus has rendered our hearts petrified. The consequences of this jeopardous virus are brutal in Kashmir. Since the first case has been recorded from khanyar, the dwellers of the said area are facing scornful jocularity on the social networks. This inhumane act taints ones soul and increases hatred, disrespect and differences in the society. The mockery of COVID-19 victims encountered on social media is simply worthless and unacceptable. We being the crown of the creation should with strain such inhuman acts and spread the message of love, care and humanity. Just because the first positive case emerged from khanyar doesn’t mean the area is sully or somewhat unsacred. Wherever we live, we are subunits of this world and we possess the same status. Before it is too late, we need to develop empathy and show concern for poor and needy members of our community. Another unapt consequence of COVID-19 is the origin and escalation of rumors which are adding fuel to the fire. They spread like wildfire and upsurge the negativity of the people. They cause additional anxiety and stress to people. The goofy rumors make even a wise person a superstitious one. Need of the hour is to box-up rumors and spread only confirmed and authentic stuffs. It becomes our social as well as moral responsibility to spread positivity and pertinent information about ruthless COVID-19. Even in mild sufferings like common cold, headaches etc lay men and scared educated men seek high medical assistance nowadays. The fear and anxiety they harbor compels them to visit hospitals and go for unnecessary check-ups. Well, this will surely make them more susceptible to COVID-19. They need to consult medical professionals on phone for mild ailments. It becomes our responsibility to make them aware and make them feel comfortable.
We need to spread awareness regarding the preventive measures and make the best possible use of social media for the same in order to vanquish THE RUTHLESS COVID-19.
We are cognizant that whole world is vexed with this deadly virus and every nation is striving to develop cure for it. Some eggheads in Kashmir, unfortunately, have started piling up hand sanitizers, face masks and allied personal protective equipments (PPEs). Well, this really is unfair. We are not supposed to be so mean and selfish in such drastic circumstances. Instead of abjuring errs and transgressions we execute selfish and mean activities. This really should be stopped! According to international labor organization (ILO), “25 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to corona virus”. This is another brutal repercussion of COVID-19. The severity of the virus can be gauged from the deaths it has caused across the whole world particularly Europe. According to an official report, Italy corona virus death toll has risen by 793 to 4,825 and 546 new deaths alone in Italy’s epicenter Lombardy region. Worldwide deaths surged past 12,000 on Saturday, according to data collected by the Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Before it is too late, we need to develop empathy and show concern for poor and needy members of our community. Be it political, social or religious organization, everybody should come forward and provide whatever possible help they can provide to the dependent ones. We need to spread awareness regarding the preventive measures and make the best possible use of social media for the same in order to vanquish THE RUTHLESS COVID-19.
(The author is pursuing B.Sc Nursing at Institute of Nursing, south campus, University of Kashmir, [email protected])
