Although the coronavirus pandemic has been around for more than a year, stigma and fear of the virus infection persist. One such example needs to be illuminated in the village of Chapoli in the Rajasthan district of Jhunjhunu.
In the past few weeks the village has lost around 25 people. There are several active cases in the village and it has been declared a Covid-19 safe zone since May 1st. However, locals refuse to accept that Covid-19 has anything to do with these deaths.
Most of them were old and had other common problems, they say.
In the pre-Covid era, the hilly region around this village was a tourist attraction. However, as the lockdown continues in Rajasthan, access here is now restricted.
“Our village is very big. People died, but most of them were old. Not many were tested for Covid-19 and only a few had symptoms, ”said one villager.
ALSO READ | How this team of former soldiers is waging the pandemic war in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu
Most of the people India Today TV spoke to in the village stressed that the deaths were not due to Covid-19.
What makes the situation worse is the fact that the testing rate in the area has decreased and vaccination is slow. A lack of awareness of Covid-19 exacerbates the situation.
“Around 25 to 30 people died in the village. They didn’t die of Covid-19. They had some other common complaints, ”said another Chapoli village resident.
People are also concerned that the village could be stigmatized if the deaths are attributed to Covid-19. Most of them stay inside as a precaution.
Pramod Nayak and his friends were the only children we could see on the street. Every day he brings his goats to graze in the mountains. He says he wants the villagers to take the disease seriously.
ALSO READ: Huge discrepancy in the death toll at Covasth in Rajasthan’s Pali
“I lost my brother too. We use disinfectants at home and follow lockdown standards. The village should take this disease seriously. People should be tested. People are scared, but there is nothing to fear. The test will help us know if we have contracted the disease, ”he said.
Pramod added that gatherings in and around the village have stopped in recent weeks. “Weddings have also been postponed and not many people attend funerals.”
What adds to the villagers’ belief that the 25 deaths were not due to Covid-19 is a string of negative reviews and the fact that the deceased were mostly old and suffered from some illness.
But not everyone who died in the village was old.
Priyanka Singh lost her 20 year old brother Anil. He was the oldest sibling and is survived by his one-year-old daughter, wife, sister, and a brother.
Priyanka says Anil had a fever and shortness of breath and died soon after.
“My brother didn’t have Covid-19. His report was negative. He died after his health suddenly deteriorated. All family members tested negative for Covid-19, “she said.
The family believe Anil died of a different cause. His younger brother is also currently fighting for his life in a hospital in Jaipur.
ALSO READ | Baseline Report: How Covid-19 Has Impacted The Rural Areas Of India
إرسال تعليق