Tuesday, 09 November 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
About 80 per cent residents not wearing mask in the capital city- Dr Bisht
With a decline in Covid-19 cases and the increasing vaccination, the usage of face masks has considerably declined in Dehradun. The decline in average mask usage was clearly evident during the recent festival of Deepawali when most of the people were visiting markets without wearing masks. The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personal physician and senior physician at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya hospital (Coronation), Dr NS Bisht said that the usage of the masks has reduced to such an extent here that the number of people not wearing masks during the recent festive season exceeded the total population of any other city in Uttarakhand. He said it is a matter of grave concern that Dehradun has the lowest number of mask users across the state.
Dr Bisht said that at least 80 per cent of the total population must use masks for its effectiveness against Covid-19 but at present, it is not even eight per cent people in Dehradun.
He stated, “Uttarakhand is considered quite vulnerable to the Covid contagion or the potential third wave than the other states due to the tourists visiting hill stations and shrines from across the country. Since the Covid-19 disease-causing virus survives in the air for a long time in cold and low humidity, it poses more risk of contagion during winters.” Due to this, he added, people should not become complacent just because the Covid cases are low or they have taken both doses of vaccines and must use the masks as a shield against the spread of the disease. He said that a 55 per cent rise in Covid cases was observed in many European countries in the last four weeks due to such a complacent attitude of people there. He said that Uttarakhand might also become an epicentre of Covid-19 during winter and the upcoming assembly elections due to such ignorant behaviour of people. “A mask can prevent you from many other types of respiratory diseases besides Covid-19. Wearing a mask is not a choice but a social responsibility. It is put on not to just prevent ourselves but for others too. Its improper or no use can cause a fatal social disorder,” asserted Bisht.
