Who will protect the protectors?
We notice with abject dismay the continuous and increased number of COVID-19 positive cases among police personnel. According statistics of the Police Headquarters, at least 241 of them were infected across the country in the last 24 hours till the noon of May 16—the highest ever number of positive cases detected among the police force in a single day. This takes the total number to 2,382.
This makes for more than 12 percent of the total people infected in the entire country and nearly half of them are from the DMP. But that may not, unfortunately, be the entire picture since we do not know whether all the members of the force have been tested for the virus.
It was nearly two weeks ago to the day that we commented in this very column, highlighting the dangers posed to the law enforcing agencies due to the nature of their job during such a pandemic. We had suggested that action be taken quickly to at least mitigate, if not to stop entirely, the chances of their getting infected. While action has been taken in terms of their treatment, what we feel is equally important is to reduce the likelihood of their getting infected. How can the members of the police maintain social distance in barracks which are packed like sardines? The cramped living conditions provide fertile ground for propagation of the virus. Should all of them not be wearing full PPE while mingling with the public in performing their duty? But have they been provided enough protection gear? If the barracks are cramped can they not be accommodated in tents with appropriate space to ensure safety? Should all the members of the police force, particularly of the DMP, not be tested for the virus immediately, and those infected quarantined?
Every infection advances in geometrical progression, and the figure of 2,382 positive cases means much more than what it shows. The authorities should move fast to arrest the worrying rise.
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