FLATTENING THE CURVE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
MUSCAT: Breaking the COVID-19 pandemic chain is everyone’s responsibility. It is tough for the people to make a sudden change in routine, but this is the need of the hour and everyone has to live with it to flatten the curve.
Staying in isolation and quarantine has had its impact on people’s mind but there is no other way to break the chain. While there have been worries about social gathering for many, the concern has been the workplace as well.
One of the major decisions came on Tuesday was the announcement of lockdown from July 25. Before this, there was an announcement on reducing the presence of staff in the government offices to 30 per cent. Shopping malls and supermarkets also must not exceed a certain percentage of space occupation in the car park as well as the number of customers at the facility. But one must go beyond legislation and take responsibility for breaking the chain, say health experts.
Dr Ahmed Yar Mohammed al
Balushi, Director of Disease Surveillance and Control, Directorate-general of Health Services, Ministry of Health, said, “Gathering has an impact whether it is at home, workplace or public places.
“Wherever there are people one must wear a mask, practise social distancing and wash hands with soap and water frequently,” urged Dr Ahmed.
“It is a huge change what people are going through,” said Dr Thamra al Ghafri, Director of Planning and Studies, Ministry of Health. “We are looking at a situation where everyone is held accountable.”
“It is not just a clinical dimension as it is not about getting sick and requiring health mcare. It is also a dimension of staying away socially, economical stress that can cause others and not forget the mental disturbance on one’s mind that can cause resistance to the compliance with the instructions. But it also depends on how you want people to come on board in resisting overwhelming change.
“I think we should accept the change and adhere to the instructions announced by the Supreme Committee. These restrictions have been announced globally and I think we should go back to our roots to make sure we protect ourselves and our family,” said Dr Thamra al Ghafri.
She pointed out the tremendous stress the health sector is going through now. If the transmission is slow the healthcare system will be able to serve you the way you deserve. “But if we get a bulk of patients at one time simultaneously that would cause a huge healthcare burden.