No one encounters the devastating impact of COVID on daily basis than frontline workers. They are at increased risk of getting COVID compared to the general community. Thousands of frontline workers are at the heart of the problem trying to keep everyone safe. And DeSuups are one of them working 24/7.
They are out on the streets patrolling the towns and villages. And they are there whenever some kind of service has to be delivered. DeSuups are everywhere helping everyone.
They have become an important part of the arsenal to battle the pandemic. But frontline workers are testing positive for COVID with prolonged exposure to risk.
In the last one month, Sarpang reported more than 800 new cases. And some 50 DeSuups are among them.
Ugyen Choden is one of the DeSuups who tested positive for COVID and recovered.
“Most of the DeSuups who are on quarantine facility duty are testing positive for COVID. And it is not because of their negligence or carelessness. We have been wearing PPE and getting sanitized. Since we have to deal with COVID patients and primary contacts, we get the virus. Most of the people say that DeSuups are breaching protocols which are not at all true,” said Ugyen Choden.
“I volunteered for the duty. I won’t mind even if I get COVID since it is for a good cause,” said Sonam Gyamtsho, a DeSuup.
They have the responsibility of saving lives while they worry about their families. Besides battling COVID, they are fighting with so many other things. And people’s support will go a long way to heal them.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
