Pandemic Effect in Bichaya Block, Madhya Pradesh Ms. Patil Tejashree Balaso*

Abstract disease as ‘pandemic.’ The word COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused pandemic is defined as ‘a disease that is by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The virus was prevalent over the world. Yet Chinese first originated in China and through officials are using the term epidemic human transmission it has slowly spread while discussing about corona virus. across the nations. Though the world was blind to the Wuhan death toll, now Scientists and researchers working day- no country is exempt of deaths due to in and day-out to invent the vaccine, and corona virus. is no exception from as of now, the only possible way to the world, which resulted in announcing contain the spread is ‘social distancing a 21-day lockdown across all the states. and lockdown.’ The various preventive This report made an attempt in measures which curb the contamination understanding the corona virus spread are washing hands regularly for at least and the consequences of lockdown in 20 seconds; avoiding touching face, Bichiya block of district, Madhya mouth and eyes; using protective masks Pradesh. and gloves while going out.

Introduction Madhya Pradesh Corona virus being a respiratory virus, Out of the 100 cases recorded in Madhya transmitted through the saliva droplets. Pradesh, eight people died. As of now, According to Center for Disease Control no person has recovered. The 92 active and Prevention (CDC), person-to-person cases in Madhya Pradesh has been contact believed to be the main mode of spread across , , , virus transmission. Imagine sitting next , Shivpuri, Morena, , and to the person who contracted the virus. 16 cases in remote places. As of now, Suppose the individual sneezes or Indore is the most affected area in the coughs without covering his nose and state with 63 active cases. mouth, then the respiratory droplets will be out from the individual. The droplets Bichiya Block have a range for almost two meters. Bichiya is one of the tribal blocks (with Everyone in the two meters’ vicinity is 100% tribal population) in Mandla likely to have droplets on them. district of Madhya Pradesh. It is surrounded with Kanha wild reserve. On 11th March 2020, World Health People depend on agriculture and forest Organization (WHO) declared the products like Mahua, Tendu patta and

* Ms. Patil Tejashree Balaso, PDM19 batch, The DHAN Academy 1 firewood. They migrate to Nagpur, means of transportation to reach to their Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Raipur, Kerala, native places. In this scenario, there is a and other major states for livelihood. possibility that migrants returning from other states might be virus carriers. In Ground Reality 80% of the households at least one person Ms. Tejashree: “I visited the Bichiya in the family is a migrant, working in block on 29th February 2020. In the first other states. 15 days of field visit, I’ve visited more than 25 villages, participating in the The lockdown and social distancing in cluster meetings. In all these 25 villages, tribal and remote parts of the villages is people are completely unware of the a daydream. Even if one person returned corona virus and its effects. People from other states is affected with virus, it started guessing something went wrong is very likely that the whole village will when the Kerala and Nagpur migrants be contracting the virus in no time. In didn’t return to celebrate the Holi Bichiya block, healthcare facilities are festival. When the nation announced its very menial both at village and district lockdown then the tribal people realized level. For any major health issues, people about virus and its effects to a certain visit Jabalpur, Raipur and Nagpur degree.” distanced at 174 kms, 207 kms and 274 kms respective from Bichiya block. From the news, it was evident that states are transporting the migrated till their Zila Tola, one of the hamlets in the block, state boarders. From the state boarders, reported that many people are showing people are finding their own ways and fever and other flu symptoms after Holi

2 celebrations. The people were home Bichiya block celebrates Navratri during quarantined. It has been more than 15 this month, wherein women will be days by now. Reportedly there are no fasting and survive on fruits alone. The positive cases so far. demand for fruits will always be usual high during Navratri season but due to False beliefs the fake news, people are not buying People in these areas are strongly fruits and fruits are left to rotten. believing cow urine and cow dunk will Bakeries, hotels, chicken and mutton prevent the virus spread. Few people are shops are completely closed. Eggs shops believing consuming more alcohol will are permitted to be opened and for sale. likely kill the virus in the body. Few believe the virus is God’s curse on SHG: humans and people having strong God Few SHGs of MPSRLM have started belief won’t be infected with virus. These making sanitizers and masks. They are all false believes subsequently leading being supported by the Chemistry people not to take any precautions. Until department in a nearby college. In 30th March, all the grocery and vegetable Bichiya block, SHGs yet to start shops were open throughout the day. producing masks and sanitizers. Now, to some extent due to strict police intrusion, the shops are operated Awareness Programme between 8 AM and 12 PM. From Bichiya Nagar Panchayat, every day a vehicle operates creating Economical Activities awareness through announcements: After police intrusion shops are being How the disease can be stopped from operated at the specified times. Though spreading? What preventive cares the district administration gave clear people should take? The covid-19 current dictum to keep the prices nominal and status and new initiatives and schemes of must be displayed in front of their shops, the government are also announced. no one is following the rules. In fact, the prices of vegetables skyrocketed unlike Way Forward the usual times. Whereas fruit vendors ‘Prevention is better than cure,’ is the are undergoing the financial crisis, since only slogan for this pandemic until a fake news being circulated among the vaccine is invented. Preventive measures people that fruits are likely to contain include: washing hands, wearing masks, virus. social distancing and staying at homes. To make the people adopt to all the preventive measures, administration

3 must facilitate minimum financial assistance and basic needs to all the vulnerable sections.

References: www.who.int www.economictimes.indiatimes.com https://www.covid19india.org

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