Before wave three-hit us and catches us unguarded, every citizen must play their role in preventing the damage. Wearing masks, regular use of sanitizers, maintaining social distance is important, but equally important is to protect our frontline workers from exposure.
.
Delhi: Covid is slowing down, but the threat of the third wave is also looming on the horizons. India suffered a massive human loss in the second wave. Most of the people who passed away were in their early 40s. In few tragic cases, the entire family was wiped out, and many Indian households lost the family's bread earner.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Government of India intervened, lockdowns were imposed, massive vaccine drives were undertaken, industrial oxygen was diverted to the hospitals. But the key point missing in all this narrative is the necessary steps, the citizens should have taken to lessen the wave. Simple steps like the segregation of Covid waste would have helped a lot.
After the reports emerged around washing the medical waste and reselling it at throw-away prices, the Covid waste menace came to light. In Mumbai and Bihar, the gangs were busted for reusing the medical waste. In Thane, a man was caught putting over 100,000 masks to dry, and to resell.
Few aware citizens like Dhairya Kataria foresaw this problem much in advance. In June 2020 he was alarmed to witness; the household garbage bag had a mix of regular garbage along with the Covid wastes. The masks, gloves, shields, shoe covers were carelessly mixed with the regular household waste. The garbage collectors were ill-equipped, and without any safety gear, they combed the thrash to segregate dry and wet waste. These frontline workers were at a direct threat of contamination. But no directives were issued from the authorities, safeguarding them.
In the words of Dhairya, a student of Vasant Valley School, Delhi, a young aware citizen of India, “When I noticed the mixing of the Covid garbage with regular garbage, I was alarmed of the repercussions. To draw the attention of the government, I sent emails to MCD, NDMC, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Every mail specifically pointed at the future problems that will happen due to the mixing of the waste.”
Undeterred, he started a social media awareness campaign, where he lobbied for a separate bag for covid waste. He also started a petition on change.org pushing for the same. His petition generated a good response, and people in his known circle supported the cause by doing the needful.
He further suggested that all the public places such as malls, offices, parks, railway/bus stations, airports, entertainment zones etc. should have a separate bin, for the disposal of masks and gloves. Households should ensure that they cut the mask, gloves, PPE Kits, after usage. Also, even Covid waste coming out from the households should be put in different bags, with clear markings. Avoid throwing the masks on the road after the usage, dump them at a safe place. This should be incorporated by the government at policy level.
Before wave three-hit us and catches us unguarded, every citizen must play their role in preventing the damage. Wearing masks, regular use of sanitizers, maintaining social distance is important, but equally important is to protect our frontline workers from exposure. Throwing blame on government or local administration will not serve any purpose. Every citizen needs to become a covid warrior and take the necessary steps to protect the surroundings.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
