Misplaced fear, panic leading to hoarding of oxygen, drugs: Govt

NEW DELHI: Amid a steep surge in Covid-19 deaths as patients and their families scrambled to secure a hospital bed, oxygen support and even medicines, the health ministry blamed “misplaced fear” and “panic” for shortages, even as it cautioned against “misplaced bravery” and stressed on the need to wear masks and follow hand hygiene.
Health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said “misplaced bravery” of people who “believe Corona is a scam”, and the “misplaced fear” that he claimed is leading to hoarding of oxygen and drugs – are both observed in people.
“We may be tired but the virus isn't,” Agarwal said.
"We are observing misplaced bravery that corona is nothing, its a scam, we have had enough of coronavirus, I don't need a mask, let's party, there's life beyond worrying over coronavirus. Laxity at any level will impact everyone in the society," he said.
"Then we see misplaced fear that 'I came in contact with a case, I am infected and will surely die', 'I need Remdesivir just in case I get the infection', 'Let's get an oxygen cylinder in advance at home'," Agarwal said.
He underlined that fear and panic only aggravates and complicates the agony.
However, there are some alert and aware citizens also who know that chances of contracting the infection can be minimized by wearing a mask and washing hands, and believe in following the guidelines and in consulting doctors, he said.