Over 80 per cent Nagpurians are fully aware of the modes of spread of coronavirus. This inference has been drawn by a survey that was conducted by VSPM Dental College and Hospital. Now, we have completed one year of living with COVID-19. To prevent the spread of disease, measures in terms of lockdown and various guidelines for social distancing and maintenance of personal hygiene in terms of wearing of face masks and hand hygiene etc were laid down by the Government and it kept revising it from time to time. But are the citizens of India really following these guidelines??

 

So to find out the attitude of a common man towards the guidelines, a short survey was conducted among the general public of Nagpur city via Google form by VSPM Dental College. In this survey, it was found that 82% people were aware of the modes of spread of COVID-19. About 66 % of them have downloaded Arogyasetu app in their mobiles. 98% of them use face masks. Percentage of those follow social distancing is 93 while 88% clean the surfaces that come in contact with different disinfectants frequently. 62 per cent people wash hands and take bath after reaching home. This is a good thing about their health, the habit they have developed would help them to remain healthy for longer duration.

 

The percentage of people who wash their hands or sanitize them after touching currency notes is 37% while 33% of them prefer online payment. There are about 39% people who avoid visiting others and 26% of them have not entertained any guest in their homes during this period. Good awareness has come about diet as 59% are taking balanced diet for increasing their immunity. The survey also noticed, 36% avoid shopping unless they found it is most urgent. There is one surprise element of lockdown as most businesspersons cursed the lockdown period as they lost a lot of business, but in VSPM Dental College’s survey 81% enjoyed lockdown period as they had good family time. Some 97% thought, the life has disturbed due to this pandemic and 82% of developed insecurity for their future.

 

A good percentage of people, who participated in the survey 70% prefer on-line classes for their wards. 77% of the participants helped needy people during this COVID time and 99% appreciated the work of COVID warriors. In this survey, it seems that the knowledge and practice of Nagpurians towards COVID-19 is satisfactory except a few who need to be educated again and again. But looking at the present scenario, it is observed that the attitude of people towards adherence with these guidelines has changed and they have become relaxed and casual. Although the vaccine has arrived, we still have to follow these norms to win this battle of COVID-19 pandemic, observed Dr Anita Kahar, Assistant Professor; Dr Jayashri Joshi, Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, VSPM Dental College. They both expressed their gratitude towards management, Dean Dr Usha Radke, Vice-Dean Dr S R Shenoi and others.