It seems like a blessing in disguise as most of the city dwellers are staying at their respective residences and passing quality time as the government has declared holidays for novel coronavirus. Except for any emergency need, no one is going outside in fear coronavirus infection.
Talking to The Bangladesh Post, Bulbul Ahmed, a Mirpur resident and a private company employee, said, “Usually for hectic office hours we don’t get the scope to spend quality time. As there is a holiday, I am taking care of my babies and helping wife in cooking.” His wife Sharmin Akter Jhorna echoed the same, adding “The holiday has become a blessing in a sense. Except holidays we don’t get a chance to manage this sort of time. We are now reading newspapers, watching television and talking to our relatives over video calls.”
Sonali Das, a housewife of Mohammadpur area said, “Nowhere to go, it’s safe to be at home to stop the virus. We are passing time by reading newspapers and playing ludu” Shohel Rana, a college student of Azimpur, talking to The Bangladesh Post said, “I’m watching movies from Netflix, browsing Facebook and playing video games.”
“I’m also learning graphic designing from YouTube”, he added. Clinical psychologist professor of a private medical college and consultant Anisur talking to The Bangladesh Post suggested making the best use of this leisure time. “Take care of the family’s older persons and children. Parents usually remain busy with their office schedules. Now the time has come to avail the opportunity of spending much time with the loved ones.”
Instead, he suggested the young people to learn a new skill of language or any other thing which will help them in future and advised them not to spend this time by playing video gamers over mobiles. Earlier yesterday addressing the nation Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina advised everyone to stay at his or her home in order to combat coronavirus.
She called for following some hygiene to make it easier to prevent coronavirus. “Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. If you cough or sneeze, cover the nose and mouth with a handkerchief or tissue paper. Avoid rubbing,” she advised. “Stay at home as far as possible. Don't go out of the room without urgent need. I urge Muslim brothers to pray at home. I urge my brothers and sisters of other faiths to pray at home”, she added.
Earlier, government has shut down all the educational institutions across the country until 4th April. The government’s disease monitoring agency, IEDCR, on Wednesday, registered one more death from coronavirus, but did not find any new case in the last 24 hours. Director of IEDCR Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora in an online briefing said the person who died was among the previous patients.
With the latest information, the number of deaths related to COVID-19 stood at five. The number of corona-infected cases remained the same, 39. The IEDCR so far tested 794 samples. Professor Flora urged all to maintain social distancing and follow government instructions. People have been asked to call 01944333222 and 10655 numbers for coronavirus related queries and services.
Besides, the government authorities on Monday (March 23) declared the countrywide lockdown through an announcement of public holidays. As part of a cautionary measure, besides hospitals, media houses and other emergency services, all the government, non-government and private organizations will remain shut during the period. Movement of all public and private transports on roads, waterways, air, and railways will also remain stopped.
Besides, the government also deployed army personnel to keep public gatherings limited and check mass transport movement as part of the measures to check the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
