Crowded bakery shops can turn into COVID-19 hotspots

By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: Despite authorities enforcing lockdown strictly, some bakery shops are doing a brisk business in many parts of Kashmir.
A video that went viral on social media on Saturday depicted that a few bakery shops were open and people were busy buying bakery ahead of Eid. “It’s unfortunate that when people are fighting COVID-19, a few among us seem insensitive towards the sufferings of our own people,” said an elderly resident Ghulam Ahmed.
He said, “People who are shopping on the roads should understand that there are many patients in their homes and hospitals who are fighting the deadly disease.”
A businessman said, “Situation is very grim. Every section of the society is facing huge losses but no one can be blamed for it as things are bad. The lockdown is for everyone. It’s the only way to stop the infection from spreading. All of us should understand the gravity of the situation rather than taking everything easy.”
He said, “Our community has faced tremendous losses during the past two years. Shops have remained closed ahead of important occasions due to COVID-19. But nothing is as important as human lives.”
“This is not the time to celebrate Eid by buying bakery and eating pastries and chicken patties. We should realize that the COVID has no medicine. People who get infected have no idea whether they will come out of it or not. In fact many people have died till date and Kashmir is recording the deaths daily. We have to show some respect towards the dead and the ones who are fighting COVID at different places. These bakery shops can turn into the COVID-19 hotspots,” said an observer.
He said, “The people who are making beelines at the bakery shops should understand that COVID spreads like wildfire at the crowded places and they too can fall prey to the deadly virus.”
It’s in place to mention here Police on Friday had registered a FIR against a departmental store at Jawhar Nagar for operating through the backdoor.
“The authorities need to act tough against the violators if they want to keep the crowd away from the markets during the Eid time. If people start flocking the markets it can spell a doom as the COVID cases will rise drastically. People need to cooperate as the authorities are enforcing the lockdown for the safety of people. Precaution is better than cure,” the observer added.

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