Meghalaya masses are throwing COVID-19 protocols to the wind

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Outside the periphery of Shillong city and other major towns of the State, masses are not strictly following the prescribed Standard Operation Protocols (SOPs) on COVID-19. This is despite the slow spike in Coronavirus cases across the State and the continuous reminders of the district administrations about the SOPs to stop the virus from spreading.

The majority of the people wear their masks only when going to the main market place to avoid being reprimand by the officials. "It is suffocating to wear the mask during the hour-long journey to the weekly market in a mini truck, " stated a resident of Cham Cham in East Jaintia Hills district. Throwing social distancing to the winds, they travel in dozens on such pickup vehicles almost on a daily basis.

Not only East Jaintia Hills, residents of Mynkre village in West Jaintia Hills also expressed similar statements. "Of late, we have overcome the fear of Corona. It was scary at the initial stage, but we have reconciled with the fact that we will have to live, work and travel with the purported threat,"stated a village elder.

Same is the case among the people dwelling in the areas adjoining Lad Rymbai, Shangpung and Eighth mile. They move about in a carefree manner. Many said that they were tired of the stringent SOPs implemented by the local durbars.

The story is the same in South West Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills district as well. They stated that they have got exhausted of having to live under lockdown and the subsequent restrictions. Most of them have perceived the recently announced relaxations as licednces or permissions for them to again live life as they did during the pre-pandemic days. Reacting to such azttitudes among a large section of the populace, a senior Health official said, "This is dangerous!"

Dwelling on the latest COVID-19 cases in the State, he said, As on date, of the 10,296 cases detected, 961 are active caes. The infection has already taken the life of 96 people."

HEADLINE: Meghalaya masses are throwing COVID-19 protocols to the wind

KW: Meghalaya, COVID-19, Standard Operation Protocols (SOPs)

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