Amdadul Haque
With many people becoming dysfunctional for the coronavirus with fall in their incomes, queues in front of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) trucks for low-cost essentials, are constantly on the rise. This absence of social distancing heightens the risk of transmission of the virus.
Due to the large number of buyers in front of almost every TCB truck, it is not possible to control and sell the products maintaining social distance. The TCB claims that despite enough initiatives to maintain a safe distance, buyers are not accepting it. TCB trucks are seen in different areas of the capital. Chaos is increasing due to competition among buyers. Strong sunshine and prolonged standing on the roads are also causing this competition.
On Sunday afternoon, crowds were found in front of TCB trucks in Karwan Bazar and Motijheel areas of the capital, with ‘who buys first’ competitions well underway.
During the time, patrol policemen lined up people to maintain social distance, but the chaos started again soon after the police left. At the time, TCB product suppliers asked people to stand in line, but the latter paid no heed. After this situation continued for some time, the police repeatedly urged them to maintain social distance. However, the ‘who listens to whom’ attitude continued. Many buyers were also found using foul language.
An army officer standing beside a TCB truck, requested the customers to maintain distance. He told everyone, "Please keep distance. It is a virus that can spread through you to the whole family. The whole family may end ill up because of you. So keep your social safe distance.”
Ripon, a seller at TCB, said that he repeatedly told them to stand distanced. But they did not listen to him. He said, “If people stand close to each other. What else can we do?”
TCB spokesman Humayun Kabir said that there is no shortage of government efforts to ensure people are not deprived of food. TCB is conducting an activity whereby people can easily buy food items spreading all over the country. This programme is being conducted for the benefit of the people only. Dealers have been well instructed in selling products due to coronavirus. Customers have been told to stand 3 feet apart. In Dhaka, I saw the law enforcers keeping customers at a certain distance.
"We are working for the benefit of the people. At least people should not die without eating. That is why all kinds of measures have been taken. Everyone should understand that. There is a lot of guidance from us,” he added.
AIG of Police (Media and Public Relations) Sohel Rana told the media the police are working to maintain social distance and to ensure that people stay in their homes to prevent coronavirus infection as per government directives. Single or group tours are prohibited without any urgent need to keep people's lives normal. During the sale of TCB products, policemen are presently assisting consumers in complying with government directives and hygiene measures to prevent coronavirus infection.
Medicine expert, Dr Muhibur Rahman Jewel said, "One of the few steps to prevent Covid-19 is to maintain social distance. One study found that maintaining social distance can prevent more than 60% of diseases. Coronavirus can spread from one person to another at a distance of 3 to 6 feet. Therefore, it is important to maintain a safe distance.”
Dr Muhibur Rahman also said, “The crowds in the market violate the social distancing norms, and can cause major disaster at any time. Not just the market, disaster can happen in any public place. So we should maintain a safe social distance.”
Jakera Aktar, standing in line for a long time to buy TCB products, said, “The father of my children could not come from Chattogram, so I came under compulsion. There is no money at home. So, I came here to buy at lower prices. I understand everything. I am in a hurry to go back home. Many people like me are hurrying. So chaos is happening. That is why it is not possible to maintain social distance. ”
Another buyer Sahera Aktar said that to prevent coronavirus, everyone should follow the rules. Many people want to go ahead because of the fear that they will not get the goods if they are at the back of the queues. As it creates chaos, there is no social distance. However, everyone should adhere to social distance.
Asif Uddin, a dealer said, "We repeatedly urge buyers to maintain social distance. I have also appointed a man for this. Yet they do not obey. The army, and the police also request to maintain social distancing, but they are not listening. Everyone has to remember the danger. ”
