Mauaima village in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh which is normally busy with activities has taken a deserted look. The fear of Covid-19 has gripped the village inhabitants has and not even allowing children to step out of their homes as of rising Covid-19 cases in rural areas.
Tirthraj Yadav, the newly elected head of the village, said the citizens were worried about signs associated with Covid-19 including cough, fever, and body pains–which are else way refused as normal and related with varying seasons. Tirthraj Yadav charged a lack of knowledge for misapprehension about the illness, which has enhanced the panic. Yadav said, “Many hide their symptoms and try to get them treated on their own, which has cost them, dear.” The villages that come under the Mauaima village council counting a population of 25,000, have reported around six deaths due to Covid-19. But dwellers say the count is about four times more. The cremations of several people, who have died, have been done hastily over the last few weeks.
Yadav said the deaths of three members of a single family provoked much panic. He added, “If one goes by cremations and burials, we have had around 25 deaths in the last few months…most of them died after showing symptoms like fever, cough, and breathing trouble. But their kin preferred to not get them tested.”
Muhammad Waseem, 42, from the nearby Bataha Majra, said over 500 people of the village have restricted Covid or showed its symptoms. Waseem also mentioned, “But merely one in five went to the Community Health Centre (CHC), which has free Covid-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination facilities”. Waseem stated “Without any logic, many believe that the vaccine would make them sicker. Some just do not want to send their sick kin to hospitals. I have tried to convince people to make use of the free services, but it is tough to get them to change their minds.”
