BBMP launches '3Ws' campaign to prevent Covid 2nd wave

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Administrator Gaurav Gupta on Friday launched a new campaign, urging residents of Bengaluru to protect themselves and others from Covid-19 by following "3 Ws": Wear your mask, Wash your hands and Watch your distance, in the wake of a second wave of infections being reported in many other Indian cities.

The announcement confirms the city's commitment to combating the pandemic as part of the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of cities supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the global health organization vital strategies.

Bengaluru's '3 Ws' campaign will include a series of outreach activities through new hand sanitisation kiosks and audiovisual and outdoor campaigns, with messages on city buses and on BBMP solid waste management vehicles.

Launching the campaign, Gupta said, "The curve is slowly flattening in the city, but there is a possibility of another Covid-19 wave hitting us as we have seen this happen in many major cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and others. We must ensure that we do not take the situation lightly and strictly follow all the WHO protocols."

Speaking on the occasion, BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad said, " Coronavirus has undoubtedly been the greatest challenge we are facing in many decades. The magnitude of this pandemic has touched virtually everyone in the world. If the second wave of Covid-19 hits the city then it will be devastating to both health and economy and everyone should ensure that they follow '3 W's' always."

Public health expert and Partnership for Healthy Cities Project Director Dr Thirveni B S said, "It is the responsibility of all citizens to follow '3 Ws' to protect themselves and ensure safety of their family, loved ones and public when they are in public space. Covid-19 is still with us. We can't ignore that many developed countries like France, Spain, UK, have gone into second lockdown. Least we can contribute to society and help frontline workers is by following the '3Ws' and preventing the second wave of the devise."