Srinagar: A civil society initiative on COVID-19 awareness in Srinagar on Tuesday was well received by the people here.
Care Kashmir International, a civil society group carried out a day-long COVID-19 awareness exercise in several areas of Srinagar wherein its members distributed free masks among the people and made them aware of the importance of wearing one while following proper precautions to remain safe in this pandemic.
Led by Senior Advocate and noted civil society member, Zaffar Shah, the programme was organised in collaboration with the business community of Kashmir.
“We realised that many people were still not wearing masks or following other precautions. So we decided to come up with the awareness camp,” Shah said.
He requested people to follow three things which the medical experts all over the world have stated.
“One: use of masks, two: social distancing, and three: keeping yourself clean especially sanitising your hands. We know that the people of Kashmir are quite sensible and they do practice these things. However there are a few who may not be able to afford even a mask. So we thought we will try to help them as well through this exercise,” he said.
He added that Care Kashmir International, which comprises of over a dozen other small social organisations, decided to distribute free masks among the people in Srinagar.
On the occasion, passers-by who were not wearing masks were given one and requested to wear one all the time.
Nasir Ahmad Khan, vice president Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the program was a joint initiative by Care Kashmir International, and civil society and the business community of Kashmir to raise awareness among people regarding the use of mask in these extraordinary times.
“We felt it was our responsibility to do our bit and let people know how important it was to wear masks and take other precautions so that human lives are saved,” he said.
Kashmir has lately seen a huge spike in the number of COVID cases and related deaths.
Till Monday evening, as many as 18390 people have tested positive in J&K while 321 people have lost their lives.
Srinagar is the worst hit district across J&K with nearly 100 deaths and over 4000 cases.
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