Most people hardly follow norms despite surge in cases

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 6

Even as Covid cases continue to rise in the city, many people in residential areas are throwing caution to the wind. Physical distancing is not observed. Face masks are not worn. Spitting on the roads is quite common.

“People don’t seem to care about guidelines and precautions issued by the government and the administration. They are casual about the preventive measures,” says Nidhi, a homemaker.

Precautions such as frequent handwashing, maintaining social distancing were ignored, she said.

I fail to understand what kind of logic it is. When they walk on the road they don’t wear the mask. But when they drive, they put the face mask on. Do they think that they can contract the disease only if they ride a scooter or drive a car? Basically, there is a lack of awareness. Though apparently people seem to be aware of the pandemic at some abstract level, they seem to think that they would not contract the disease even if they give a go-by to all precautions. This is sad as well as scary! —A Senior Citizen

In many localities, children from the lower socio-economic strata can be seen busy chatting in close proximity with one another. Sans any face masks, they seem to be oblivious of the pandemic as a resident of the Barewal Road area observed.

To make the matters worse, they even spit on road. In fact, spitting is a major problem in many localities.

“You have all chances of being exposed to bad respiratory hygiene of others who do not cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow while coughing or sneezing,” said Gurpreet Singh, a teacher.

Even those from higher socio-economic strata are reluctant to wear face masks. This is particularly the case during morning hours when they go for a morning walk in groups. A senior citizen, not wishing to be identified, says: “I fail to understand what kind of logic it is. When they walk on the road they don’t wear the mask. But when they drive, they put the face mask on. Do they think that they can contract the disease only if they ride a scooter or drive a car?”

“Basically, there is a lack of awareness. Though apparently people seem to be aware of the pandemic at some abstract level, they seem to think that they would not contract the disease even if they give a go-by to all precautions. This is sad as well as scary!” adds the senior citizen.