Fear of Covid can't disrupt protests: Farmers
April 09, 2021 17:20
The alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi notwithstanding, farmer leaders on Thursday said that nothing, not even the fear of coronavirus, can disrupt their protest against the agri laws.
Over the past four months, the farmers have managed to keep their agitation going, withstanding extreme cold, rains, and heat. They devised many ways to deal with these issues - for cold there was ample supply of winter wear, for rain they elevated their beds, and to prepare for the heat, they have started building houses, and arranging for ACs, coolers and fans.
Tackling the second wave of COVID-19 won't be very different for them, they said, adding they are prepared with certain basic precautions in place.
"We have been making announcements from the stage at the Singhu border about the necessity of wearing masks, and washing hands frequently. We are also encouraging the protestors to get vaccinated," said Lakhbir Singh, vice president (Punjab) of All India Kisan Sabha.
With multiple health camps at these protest sites, immediate medical assistance is always at the farmers' disposal in case a protestor develops symptoms like fever or breathlessness.
"If somebody has fever or cold, or any other COVID-like symptoms, then the doctors here take a call. The patient is either admitted to a hospital, or sent back to their village for 8-10 days," said Jagmohan Singh, general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda).
On Friday, India registered a record single-day spike of 1,31,968 new COVID-19 cases. Delhi too, recorded 7,437 fresh cases in its highest single-day spike this year, with the capital's death roll reaching 11,157 on Thursday.
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