On Friday, the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s office released an image of him clearing files while in home isolation after being detected with COVID-19. The picture sparked major controversy as Sawant was seen clearing files without wearing gloves, raising fear about possible transmission of the virus.
The CMO, however, clarified that the files cleared by the Chief Minister are duly sanitized before and after being up for his signature; while the urgent matters are communicated digitally.
Though the CMO managed to settle the “photo op” criticism by Congress; the biggest question that surrounds is who clicked the picture in the isolation room? Was PR cum Publicity of “workaholic” Chief Minister so necessary in the current crisis??? Do the protocols laid down by the Union Ministry for Health, allows a non-infected person to enter the isolation room of a person, who is infected with COVID…irrespective of whether symptomatic or asymptomatic?
In normal cases, family members, if negative, are advised not to come in contact with the person who is infected and under isolation. In the case of CM, when the picture was clicked, he is also seen without a mask.
CM is facing troll on twitter with people claiming that his infection as “fake”
The pandemic has taken an upswing mode in the state with several high-ranking officials and politicians being tested positive for Corona positive.
Union Minister for Ayush Shripad Naik has been undergoing treatment since August 14.
MLAs including Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, Churchill Alemao, Ravi Naik, Nilkanth Halarankar, Clafasio Dias are amongst those who are or were infected.
NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar is also undergoing home isolation.