Amdadul Haque
Commoners are in an extremely difficult situation regarding taking a decision whether they should go back to their works for livelihood or stay at home to save lives amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Joining their respective workplaces means risking themselves and their families of virus infection. On the other hand, if they stay at home avoiding joining their works means they are at risk of losing their jobs.
On Tuesday, cars, trucks, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws small passenger carriers thronged the streets of the capital, which only added to the anxiety that the ongoing virus pandemic might be worsened.
The streets from commercial hub Motijheel to Jatrabari, Hatkhola, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Rampura, Malibagh, Khilgaon and Arambagh were packed with vehicles, commuters and pedestrians.
The shutdown has been relaxed in Bangladesh. People are entering the capital even though public transport is not running. People are leaving their homes to save their lives. Markets are opening and shopping has started. Although social media is seen strongly criticising lockdown relaxation. Many specialist doctors also said that relaxing the lockdown would be harmful.
Meanwhile, small traders are opening their shops. Sumon Miah, a shopkeeper at Farmgate, said that there had been no business for the past two months. “Meeting the expenses of the family has become almost impossible. We don’t have amassed money. If the business goes on, I will be able to buy food and medicine. If the business doesn't run, I’ll die of hunger.”
In this context, a professor of BSMMU, preferring anonymity said, “People are stuck in the trap of making a living. Low-income people can no longer stay at home. They have come down the road for income. So, the lockdown must be relaxed. There is no alternative.”
“Lockdown has been relaxed in many countries. If you go out in this situation, you have to follow the hygiene rules. There is no alternative. Wash your hands with soap after a while. Do not touch the face. Only then we can protect ourselves and our families from the spread of this disease,“ he further said.
Dr Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, adviser, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, said, “Now, markets, apparel factories, and different other organisations have reopened to keep the economy afloat. But all have to comply with health safety guidelines. The fall in the number of Covid-19 patients depends on measures to contain the contagion. The community transmission in our country is on the rise for not being able to implement the lockdown properly.”