22nd March Bangladesh government implemented a lockdown when the first death in Mirpur Tolarbagh was detected with corona virus. The house was later locked down and under strict supervision for further movement. The lockdown which was first enacted on 22nd March to 4th April, further extended up to 5th May as the number of confirmed cases increased. Bangladesh being an overpopulated country, previously had a shortage of test and was criticized by the specialists. Lack of hygiene practice education among most of the people made the spread easier. Doctors and health workers suffered from unavailability of personal protective equipment. Doctors even suffered from a sudden increase of price for mask and gloves which is the primary protective equipment for any health worker. Despite the lockdown there were public gathering in several places. Government faced trouble to control the unaware population. People denied to maintain social distancing, almost half of the population who are being told to maintain proper hygiene, denied the process out of ignorance. So the ignorance paid off as a cluster increase and steeping rise of confirmed cases and deaths as tests are performed among population. Asymptomatic cases, hiding history to the Doctors and health workers as corona virus disease stigmatized in society, increased the chance of spread. In this situation what we can do to fight the virus easily just staying at home. Education among the ignorant population about hygiene practice is challenging but possible.
What we can do?
- Staying at home. If not an emergency, preventing going out.
- Wearing mask and gloves while out from home.
- While talking, wearing mask all the time.
- Preventing touching face nose mouth with hands.
- Preventing touching outer surface of the mask.
- Exercising for minimum 20 minutes every day.
- Maintaining communication with relatives, friends, and neighbors over phone calls.
- While helping the poor, or the people in need, keeping safe distance of minimum 1 meter.
- Avoiding spitting in open area.
- If possible, limit food intake, not much, not less.
- It is completely okay to feel sad, or even stressed, take moments to pray, meditate, listen songs.
- Educate every person you interact with. Try contributing to the society by giving correct authentic information on hygiene practice.
- Contacting doctors over phone call or simply by pulse app.
To educate personal hygiene maintenance, social distancing, we need more public health workers in the slums, localities of population who share one kitchen and toilet. The government can take a look to implement rules. Mask and gloves availability in cheaper price is a situation demand.
Till today Bangladesh has a 4998 confirmed cases and 140 deaths. We all are together in this crisis. Keeping on mind about the asymptomatic carriers, being responsible and educating others, that’s all we can do to serve the nation and reduce the spread.