Guwahati, October 7 (MExN): Timely information management is at the core of awareness initiatives and to mitigate COVID-19 risks in the North East Region, experts opined during a Webinar on ‘COVID Information Management and Public Awareness’ organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Guwahati, on October 7.
Experts from the media fraternity, government sector along with academicians deliberated and discussed about the potential ways to tackle the COVID-19 situation from behavioural and policy perspective, a PIB release stated.
Dr Leena Borah from Cotton University, Guwahati said that information management is at core of awareness about COVID-19. She said that creativity in awareness is the essence of information management at this critical juncture of COVID-19 management and its risk mitigation. Dr Borah urged the student community, who joined the webinar in huge numbers, to act as ambassadors of change and be the catalyst of information dissemination about the precautions to address the disease and related issues. Emphasizing the importance of Yoga and breathing exercises to mitigate the COVID risk, Dr Borah claimed that leading a disciplined life is the best way to address the issues.
Dr Lopamudra Datta, Principal, Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Kolkata said that health, hygiene and Swachhta are the mantras to address the COVID-19 issues. In this scenario, social distancing is a quintessential aspect and has to become a habit for all, she said.
Dr Datta underscored that elderly persons have to be extra cautious and should have a healthy balanced diet while adding that each individual has to develop healthy daily routines to avoid any health issues which could aggravate if anyone gets affected with the virus.
Mentioning about the initiatives of the Central Government for information awareness, with optimism Dr Irene Lalruatkimi from Department of Mass Communication, Mizoram University, said that information communication has to be dovetailed with the local environment. She said that awareness via posters and public displays at strategic places such as railway stations, market, eateries, shops and retail markets, bus stops could help in generating awareness and to mitigate the COVID risk.
Dr Lalruatkimi said that attitudinal changes and having a positive mentality could help an individual to address the stress and psychological issues in this scenario.
Addressing the issue of fake news, Sanyuk Banerjee, Advocate, Purba Bardhamaan, said that fake news is emerging as an issue which has to be tackled proactively so that correct information goes to citizens of the country.
Stating that information communication gap and lack of awareness is the common problem when it comes to COVID and related issues, he said that the need of the hour is to emphasise on behavioural changes along with precautions such as proper utilisation of masks, social distancing and washing of hands regularly.
Regional Director, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aizawl, L R Sailo, highlighted success stories as to how Mizoram has be successful in mitigating the COVID risk while pointing out that Mizoram did not have any cases of COVID-19 fatality.
According to the release, the interactive webinar saw enthusiastic participation of students, academicians and media fraternity of Assam and North East Region who said that the webinar would help them make informed decisions and be aware about prior precautions to address the COVID situation.
Along with students, eminent journalists and other government senior officials from Doordarshan Guwahati, Regional Outreach Bureau, Guwahati, All India Radio Guwahati as well as senior officers of PIB from North East Zone were also present on the occasion.
