Doctors from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, have specified that air pollution will provide an easy path to the coronavirus infection. They stated that we all are in the middle of a severe pandemic and smoke from crackers will increase the risk of COVID-19 further as the coronavirus affects respiratory tract. Doctors have stated further that Diwali celebrations could be possible next year only if everyone careful this year.

Additional Professor, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, said that people should have to be very careful this Diwali. Because of bursting crackers, the air pollution will increase more and hence the risk factor of COVID-19 also. The infection starts from the respiratory tract and if health is compromised because of air pollution, the effect of the coronavirus will be more severe.

Dr Khaiwal said that three factors can increase the risk of COVID-19 during Diwali. The first factor is during Diwali, people go to the markets and crowd the area hence increasing the risk of spread of coronavirus. The 2nd factor is people visit their relatives and friends and do not follow any protocols of social distancing or wearing mask. The 3rd factor is air pollution which is mostly caused due to crackers.

Dr Jagat Ram, PGI Director, said that people with comorbidities should be to extremely careful. As smoke from the crackers can aggravate their condition as the respiratory tract is sensitive. People with cardiovascular problems or respiratory infections or kidney problems or cancer are susceptible to the air pollution. He has recommended people not to burst crackers. Not only air pollution has increased but cases of burn and eye injuries have also increased over the years. There are cases in which people gave gone blind or are affected with low vision and their families have repented. Also, instances are few people were bystanders and got injured due to crackers.

The Chandigarh administration had stated studies had revealed that air pollution has increased COVID deaths by 15 percent. Many cracker sellers are against the Administration’s orders of imposing a ban on sale and use of crackers.

Source: The Indian Express