Special awareness programme on 'Youth and Covid-19' held for MCU faculty, students

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: A special programme on 'Youth and Covid 19' was organised under the aegis of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi University of Journalism.

The Director of AIIMS Bhopal Dr Sarman Singh said that vaccine and 'social vaccine'--the use of facemask, are both necessary for preventing Covid -19. These are tools to curb the disease and save your family and others.

Vice Chancellor Prof KG Suresh, on the occasion, called upon people to be in 'self-lockdown' and avoid disseminating fake or unverified content. Awareness is the key and we need to practice 'SMS' meaning Social distancing, Mask and Sanitiser for hand hygiene as part of preventive measures.

Dr Sarman Singh was addressing the programme as keynote speaker. He said health services are under intense pressure due to Corona and health workers are stressed. Second wave of Covid-19 is man-made. In the first phase, we believed that it won't affect youths, while

The government relaxed the restrictions, but infection rate in youths is higher at present because they were out after the first phase. Infection doze has been reduced to 25 percent today and small number of virus is causing infection. There should be six to eight week gap between first and second vaccine, he said.

Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh said, youths are the catalysts of change in Madhya Pradesh and they can take on the driver's seat to spread correct and verified information in regard to Covid. They can break the chain. It is affecting all of us regardless of age and gender and the only way to fight this virus, is through vaccination, and adoption of COVID-19 appropriate behaviours including use of facemask, handwashing with soap, and maintaining physical distance. It is not one or either, we need to do all.

Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh spoke on the objectives of the meet and the need to engage young people. He added that media students can use their creative skills to spread information about vaccination. Dr Ravindra Bagal Health Officer, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh said youths should use and disseminate information from credible information sources. Senior Assistant Professor Lalbahadur Ojha conducted the programme and In-Charge Registrar Dr Pavitra Shrivastava proposed the vote of thanks.