If the daily Indian life has gone tougher like never before due to corona phobia exerting successive solid grips and also due to the unaccustomed 24x7 daily indoor routine, as unwanted supplements, certain myths, misconceptions and rumours flying unchecked having their origin mostly from the now inseparable social media, are also making things less bearable. Pros and cons of social media have remained perennial topics of discussion and debates surrounding all these will always linger. But the point with which majority of citizens will agree is, true efficacy of this powerful communication organ can be derived only if used with the intention of attaining larger societal good. Sadly, many instances are being observed which will suggest that during this time of extreme criticality, some fellow mortals are using it in a grossly wrong manner, which, at the end of the day, is only thickening the already-tensed atmosphere.
It’s a long list now. Mosquito bites can cause corona, a hot bath or a prolonged sunshine exposure will ensure a prevention, a spray of alcohol or chlorine all over the body is a sure-shot cure, rinsing nose with saline or consuming garlic will thwart the infection, only the aged can be infected, antibiotics will cure… etc etc are just a few. Needless to say, none of the above has an iota of truth since there is no scientific corroboration and WHO, through its website has also echoed the same. Neither cow dung nor cow urine has got corona-curative properties, so far suggested by science, humans are the only carriers of this lethal virus and in no way animals should be drawn into discussion. Another disturbing rumour, which will deeply hurt both the print media and its well-wishers is the tale that is being floated which has claimed that newspapers, magazines, letters or packages are potential agents for coronavirus transmission. But the fact that should be bold underlined is- all scientific evidences suggest that porous paper surfaces including newsprint are absolutely safe from coronavirus invasion and printed newspapers are even more safe because of the ink and printing processes and last but not the least, not a single incident of coronavirus being transmitted via newsprint has been reported from anywhere in the world. Nevertheless, as an immediate consequence, it must be said with rue that it has ‘shaped decisions’ and there are reports that delivery of newspapers had been suspended in many parts of the country.
Now, if ‘strictness’ is going to define the remaining lockdown period, then why shouldn’t any action be taken against those cooking up the above weird theories, particularly the ones proving detrimental to the print media industry which still remains the most reliable soldier of the fourth estate? 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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