Alappuzha’s fumigation move draws flak

The Alappuzha municipality has come beneath criticism for its suggestion to make use of ‘Aparajitha dhooma choornam’ (powder product of ayurvedic elements) for fumigation to deal with the unfold of COVID-19.

Under the civic physique’s name a lot of households within the municipal space noticed ‘Dhooma Sandhya’ at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday by fumigating the home and environment with smoke generated from burning ‘Aparajitha dhooma choornam.’ The municipality had earlier distributed packets of the powder to residents freed from price.

In one of many notices selling the occasion, the civic physique urged the folks to take part within the disinfection exercise as a part of COVID-19 prevention measures.

“Aparajitha dhooma choornam’ could prevent all airborne infectious diseases. It is antibacterial and antiviral,” the discover reads.

The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) Alappuzha district committee has deplored the civic physique’s determination to conduct ‘Dhooma Sandhya.’ In an announcement issued right here on Saturday, KSSP district president B. Krishnakumar and district secretary Jayan Champakulam termed it unscientific.

“The World Health Organisation or Indian Council of Medical Research have not found these kinds of methods to be useful in preventing COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. The Local Self Government Department has not issued an order for conducting the programme or spent money for it. COVID-19 second wave should be dealt with utmost caution and seriousness. At a time when people should be asked to follow COVID-19 protocols without any laxity, it is shocking that a municipality is promoting the use of ‘Aparajitha dhooma choornam’ and homoeo medicines to tackle the pandemic,” they stated.

The actions of the civic physique will create misconceptions amongst folks about attaining immunity and they’ll cease following COVID-19 protocols and restrictions. It will end in a spike in COVID-19 instances within the municipal space, the KSSP warned. The KSSP has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and different officers involved searching for their intervention to stop the municipality from enterprise such measures.

The Campaign Against Pseudo Science Using Law and Ethics (CAPSULE) has additionally come out in opposition to the Alappuzha municipality. It urged the civic physique to restrain itself from unscientific actions.

Alappuzha municipal chairperson Soumya Raj, nevertheless, justified the choice to conduct ‘Dhooma Sandhya.’

Awareness marketing campaign

“Basically it is an awareness campaign and a show of oneness. We have never said the powder is capable of eliminating coronavirus or will help end the pandemic. The fumigation is part of the disinfection exercise, which is being done from time to time. Through the campaign we are also urging the people to abide by the disease containment measures and lockdown,” Ms. Raj stated, including that the municipality was selling allopathy, ayurveda, and homoeopathy on an equal foundation.