Hyderabad: Cityzenry throw Covid caution to the wind

Hyderabad: City's residents who are fed up with the lockdown remain unconcerned about new threat in the form of Coronavirus mutant. Forget about the masks, handshake has become once again a common gesture.

Even though reports on Coronavirus mutant entering Telangana created panic amongst some sections, but most of the City's population remained unconcerned without adhering to social distancing norms and precautions, like using hand sanitisers. "Almost everyone I am meeting is giving handshake and feeling embarrassed when I am avoiding it. The situation has come to this end," said A Pawan Kumar, a resident of Dilsukhnagar.

Despite reports of the mutant virus spreading 70 per cent faster than the earlier versions, the public mood in general remained nonchalant, even as the year 2020 is ending. It has been observed handshakes have become common once again. At least for the last two months people have stopped wearing face masks, not using hand sanitisers and have also avoided measures, like social distancing.

"Now even after the new strain of virus from the UK has been reported and the UK returnees are being traced, still people are avoiding usage of facemasks, gathering in bazaars and functions and living in their routine," bemoaned, Md Tajuddin, a septuagenarian who has seen several acquaintances losing lives during the past several months.

On an average, during social gatherings or out of 10 people, hardly three are seen wearing facemasks. Many were simply wearing them around neck and moving closely. In Old City areas, the news of a new strain of Coronavirus has not created any impact. Even during night hours groups of youth can be seen sitting and chit-chatting in hotels and on roadside during late night hours.

Given the wedding season, festivities and an upcoming New Year eve, markets like Charminar, Begum Bazar, Abids, Secunderabad are with hustle-bustle. Hundreds of people are attending weddings, functions flouting Covid-19 norms. Similarly, festival holidays are being observed and people are visiting restaurants and eateries, besides family gatherings.

One of the observers who tested positive for the virus recently said that people, specially in the Old City, are living in normalcy, gathering in large numbers. Again handshake becomes normal. None of them is wearing a mask. "I have tested positive besides three of family members. It was like nightmare and hopefully, we recovered. I appeal that people must avoid such activities and must save their and other's lives too, specially the elderly, infants and children," said Md Moizuddin, a resident of Moghalpura.