Juhi Chawla argues inciting fear of Covid-19 cannot curb it

Actor says certain measures are contributing to rise in cases as India reports world's highest daily tally on Friday

With the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in India, Bollywood star Juhi Chawla feels that the measures being taken to curb the virus are not “completely right”. The actor feels that the constant updates on the pandemic are making people anxious and even breathless. She argued that this increasing fear is contributing to and compounding the problem, reported Hindustan Times.

While Chawla agrees that halting film shoots was compulsory since 80 people on one set would qualify as a gathering, she has mixed feelings about the spike in cases. According to her, the measures being taken aren’t enough. “Asking unit members to wear masks for 12 hours during a shoot, while breathing in their own carbon dioxide and damaging their health is just not done,” mentioned the Ishq star.

Chawla went on to ask what will happen to the people maintaining all SOPS after a month of following the restrictions. “Would you call it the second or the third wave, or something of your own doing? When I have to wear a mask, I manage for one hour but later, I find myself pulling it down as I am unable to breathe properly,” she complained. “If I had to wear a mask 12 hours a day, I couldn’t do it!”

She continued, “The more we talk about the virus, the more we are scaring people. A lot of them out of anxiety feel breathless, which is what happens when you are scared. That’s why they tell you to breathe deeply before going on stage or doing something that unnerves you. I don’t know if the scare is contributing to and compounding the problem."

Chawla mentioned practicing yoga and Ayurveda helps in maintaining good health and keeping oneself calm. “No one is talking about benefits of Yoga or Ayurveda,” said the now producer and entrepreneur. “All everyone hears is rushing to hospitals, oxygen cylinders and ventilators. Can you imagine how scary that must be for the common person?"

India reported the world's highest daily tally of coronavirus cases for the second day on Friday, surpassing 330,000 new cases, as it struggles with a health system overwhelmed by patients. Deaths in the past 24 hours also jumped to 2,263, the health ministry said, while officials across northern and western India, including the capital, New Delhi, warned most hospitals were at full capacity and running out of oxygen. India, a major producer of vaccines, has kick-started its inoculation campaign but only a tiny fraction of the population has received the shot. Authorities have announced jabs will be available to anyone above the age of 18 from May 1, but health experts feel there will not be enough for the 600 million eligible individuals.

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