LUCKNOW: Telecom companies have devised a novel, yet disconcerting, way to caution people about coronavirus — ‘A man coughing followed by message on precautions and management of Covid-19.
The move evoked mixed reaction with a few public health analyst and IMA representatives saying that it may lead to ‘fearmongering’ leading to panic buying of masks and sanitisers, while others said that it was an effective way to make people aware of the disease and check its spread.
President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Lucknow chapter, Dr Rama Srivastava said, “Spreading awareness on TV and radio is sensible, however, caller tune on mobile to spread awareness can trigger fear leading to panic buying of masks and sanitizers. Besides, many will start flocking to hospitals even on little suspicion after contracting an ordinary flu.”
She also said that till now, the patients confirmed with Covid-19 in India have been found to be either having history of travelling to the affected places abroad or were in close contact with positive patients, hence there is no need to panic.
Dr J D Rawat, vice-president, IMA and a paediatric surgeon in King George’s Medical University, felt that situation in India, particularly in UP, is not so grave as it may appear by employing such strategy.
“Spreading awareness of precautions through traditional ways and that too along with an appeal that people should not panic is the need of the hour. Setting such caller tunes en masse may make people misinterpret that the spread of infection has acquired huge proportion,” he said.
‘Mortality rate is 3%, no need for caller tune’
They would think that disease is spreading fast which would lead to rush in hospitals. As of now, the disease is identified among limited people and the mortality rate is around 3%, hence, there is no need for running such a caller tune.”
However, welcoming the move, Sunita Narain, the director-general of Centre for Science and Environment, said “since prevention is the only asset against the spread of disease, the step taken will not only curb spread of novel coronavirus, but other viral infections, too.” Similarly, Dr Sunil Verma, a physician in a prominent private hospital said, “It’s a good move to sensitize people about the disease. The government should also install banners and posters at prominent places across the city.” Officers of UP east circle of telecom companies, when contacted, said that the caller tune has been set on the directions of the Union telecom ministry to four major telecom operators to spread awareness.
The move evoked mixed reaction with a few public health analyst and IMA representatives saying that it may lead to ‘fearmongering’ leading to panic buying of masks and sanitisers, while others said that it was an effective way to make people aware of the disease and check its spread.
President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Lucknow chapter, Dr Rama Srivastava said, “Spreading awareness on TV and radio is sensible, however, caller tune on mobile to spread awareness can trigger fear leading to panic buying of masks and sanitizers. Besides, many will start flocking to hospitals even on little suspicion after contracting an ordinary flu.”
She also said that till now, the patients confirmed with Covid-19 in India have been found to be either having history of travelling to the affected places abroad or were in close contact with positive patients, hence there is no need to panic.
Dr J D Rawat, vice-president, IMA and a paediatric surgeon in King George’s Medical University, felt that situation in India, particularly in UP, is not so grave as it may appear by employing such strategy.
“Spreading awareness of precautions through traditional ways and that too along with an appeal that people should not panic is the need of the hour. Setting such caller tunes en masse may make people misinterpret that the spread of infection has acquired huge proportion,” he said.
‘Mortality rate is 3%, no need for caller tune’
They would think that disease is spreading fast which would lead to rush in hospitals. As of now, the disease is identified among limited people and the mortality rate is around 3%, hence, there is no need for running such a caller tune.”
However, welcoming the move, Sunita Narain, the director-general of Centre for Science and Environment, said “since prevention is the only asset against the spread of disease, the step taken will not only curb spread of novel coronavirus, but other viral infections, too.” Similarly, Dr Sunil Verma, a physician in a prominent private hospital said, “It’s a good move to sensitize people about the disease. The government should also install banners and posters at prominent places across the city.” Officers of UP east circle of telecom companies, when contacted, said that the caller tune has been set on the directions of the Union telecom ministry to four major telecom operators to spread awareness.
Get the app