DD National (Doordarshan) which is the Indian government television channel and comes directly under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been running regular advertisements on it's channel regarding COVID 19.
Popular serials like Ramayana and Mahabharata are being retetecast on the national television. They are quite a favourite amongst the Indians and have received vast viewership. It makes a lot of sense to advertise about COVID 19 and it's prevention to such large audience. The channel is showing this through a video.
The video shows a couple of Dos and Donts for the people to follow which will help them in prevention of the COVID 19 virus. In the video it is talking about two very vital points concerning animals in it's Don't section. But the information may actually prove quite detrimental to animal life in India. It has already started showing the signs as people are abandoning their pets. The number of pet abandonment have increased during the lockdown period in India. The two points highlighted in the dont section are mentioned below:
1 Don't contact with live animals or consumption of raw / undercooked food
2 Don't travel to farms / live animal markets or where animals are slaughtered
The first point clearly tells people that if you want to be safe from COVID - 19 then do not come in contact with living animals which may include all whether it be community animals, pets or wild animals. The statement makes no difference between any animal. This is misleading and quite detrimental to animal life in India.
To watch the video kindly go on the link below:
The WHO (World Health Organization) has used the words live animals but in a different context. WHO has answered the following question in it's Q & A on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Question:-
Can humans become infected with COVID 19 from an animal source?
Answer-
"Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed. To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH ANIMALS and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal product"
The WHO has clearly mentioned that when you visit an animal market avoid direct contact with animals but see what the Indian national television has done. It has only put half the information and it's after effects are quite visible.
For Q&A of WHO kindly go on the link below:
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
Today on 6th April 2020 a dog was abandoned in East Delhi ( the pic in this post). This was the message which was posted on social media:
"We found this beautiful boy abandoned in the adjacent housing complex, Mayur Vihar Phase 1. With 3 dogs (and one pregnant) we won't be able to keep him. A neighbor has agreed to keep him for tonight but we need to find a more permanent home for him. Please pass on this message. For further details pls contact Swati-+919999087257"
Now whose fault is it? Already the animals especially the man's best friend were the most neglected in India and now due to COVID 19 pandemic and the lockdown their situation has worsened. And by such incomplete and misleading information the government channel has only added up to their misery. Rather after watching the video people would be hesitant to go near any live animal.
People responsible for this video should have been a little more cautious while giving information. They should edit the points and put things verbatim as mentioned by the WHO.
We can still save many pets from being abandoned.