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Transcript/ScriptIndia Pandemic Mass Gatherings
HEADLINE: Mass Gatherings Raise Superspreader Fears Amid India’s Third Wave
TEASER: Health experts warn similar gatherings last year fueled India’s deadly second wave
PUBLISHED AT: 1/21/2022: 9am
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: NEW DELHI
VIDEOGRAPHER: P. Pallavi
PRODUCER: Rod James
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, Steve Hirsch
VIDEO SOURCES: Original, Skype, AP, Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:44
VID APPROVED BY: pcd
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Curbs have been imposed in India’s cities as a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the country. Health experts, however, are flagging mass gatherings, such as religious festivals held in North India, they fear could turn into superspreader events in the world’s second-worst affected country. Anjana Pasricha has a report from New Delhi.]]
((NARRATOR))
This holy dip in the Ganges River is a ritual many Hindus believe will wash away their sins. For the thousands of devotees taking part in a religious pilgrimage in the northern city of Prayagraj, their faith overrides worries India is in a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
((Amarjeet, Devotee)) ((Male in Hindi))
“I have no fears. I think this disease belongs to the past.”
((NARRATOR))
As devotees pour in, authorities say they are taking precautions, allowing only those who are vaccinated. Some priests even spread the message of safety.
((Mauni Maharaj, Priest)) ((Male in Hindi))
"We are following COVID-19 rules. We got tested, took vaccines, and are following all protocols. I appeal to people that they have to be careful in order to put an end to this disease from the world.”
((NARRATOR))
The size of the crowds at such festivals, which also have taken place in other cities, make it difficult to enforce COVID norms. Many pilgrims don’t wear masks.
The omicron variant is causing fewer hospitalizations, but as infections surge to an eight-month high, doctors urge caution in a country whose medical infrastructure was crushed last year.
((Suranjit Chatterjee, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)) ((Male in English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“This time till now we are in a comfortable level, but we have seen what has happened in the U.S., what has happened in the Western world, they are getting concerned, their beds are full. So obviously we cannot be complacent.”
((NARRATOR))
Cities such as Delhi have been partly shuttered but mass gatherings elsewhere raise worries the pandemic could continue to cause pain.
((Sakshee Sharma, Lawyer, Delhi)) ((Female in English))
“Practically speaking social distancing is not possible in such places, so it is best if we close such premises, only for a certain period.”
((Tina Sharma, Delhi resident)) ((Female in English))
“People should be more vigilant. I see lots and lots of people without masks.”
((NARRATOR))
Health experts warn that similar religious gatherings and political rallies had fueled a deadly second wave last year. The omicron variant is even more transmissible.
((Suranjit Chatterjee, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)) ((Male in English)) ((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“If you have gatherings where all the non-COVID behavior [is] happening, it is going to be the superspreader events. So all these religious rallies and political rallies have to come to a halt there is no doubt about that. If we continue with it, then we are in for trouble again like the second wave but if we can control these things and people have COVID-appropriate behavior, maybe the numbers will not be so high.”
((NARRATOR))
As India gears for elections in five states, a temporary ban has been imposed on political rallies that caused concerns earlier this month, but this pilgrimage will continue for six more weeks.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, New Delhi
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 21, 2022 14:54 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
