Kerala street dweller shows model for social distancing

KOZHIKODE: A question why Kerala has so far been successful in getting control over the deadly Covid-19 has been answered in a clear manner through a video footage of a street dweller. The footage which shows a man, in his rags, moving backward and insisting the police to keep his food and drinking water at a safe distance, has become a replica of the awareness that was imparted to the people of Kerala by the government and various government departments.


The footage also answers the question about the awareness level of the people of Kerala about the pandemic. Without any social media access and access to news media, a street dwelling man is completely aware of the safe distance guideline. The round the clock work and commitment of police, health, revenue and other officials has also been paid off through the actions of the man in his rags.

The man is also seen covering his mouth and nose with his shirt when he was approached by a police official, who also is wearing mask and gloves. The man is seen insisting the police to keep his food on the floor, which he grabs immediately after the cops move to a safe distance.

The incident that occurred in the limits of Perambra Police station in Kozhikode has gone viral in the social media in just one day. Though the incident occurred nearly a week ago during the regular patrolling of the Perambra police, the incident came to light a day ago when one of the shop owners in the area circulated the footage captured in the closed circuit camera.

“Police have been distributing food packets and drinking water to all street dwellers and others in need of food ever since the start of the lock down,” said the station house officer of Perambra. But this incident is something special due to the level of awareness shown by the man, he said.

The Perambra police were among the first in booking case against the violation of guidelines for home quarantine. They have so far booked more than 60 cases against different persons for various offences related to home quarantine violation and lock down violation.

“We had been delivering awareness on safe distance and break the chain ever since the detection of cases in Kerala and this might have struck the man,” said sub inspector Raoof, who was with the cops who served food packets to the man.


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