'Wrong message to society': Citizens after UTK participates in Covid-19 victim's burial without wearing PPE

Mangaluru: Congress MLA UT Khader’s act of participating in the last rites of a Covid-19 infected victim has come in for criticism from few, who called out the leader for not wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

People objecting the act stated that the elected representative was sending a wrong message to society by not adhering to protocols of wearing PPE while handling victims.

Khader while admitting the mistake on his part said that family members of few Covid- 19 victims are hesitant to participate in the last rites amid fear of contracting the infection. “I wanted to allay these fears so that family members come forth to give a decent burial to their near and dear ones,” he said.

Further Khader clarified that he had spoken to doctors if there was any risk of contacting infection by taking part in the burial.

“The doctors told me that the virus will not spread from the body. Thorough wrapping of the body obviates the risk. When a healthcare workers can bury the body, why can’t family members?, he said. He however stressed that one has to take all necessary precaution, including wearing PPEs.