As cold wave intensifies

Kashmir is inching towards deep winters, and right now the mornings and evenings are freezing. With temperatures dipping below zero, challenges are many to grapple with. This is the time we need to take care of the vulnerable sections of our society. These are the older ones in our families, the kids and the ones who have some ailments.

As highlighted by the news story in this newspaper some days back - “Respiratory woes rise as fog, cold tighten grip on Kashmir” - these are particularly tough times for those with chest ailments. In the aftermath of covid-19 we have seen, though not in terms of strict research data, respiratory ailments troubling people in good numbers. The number of people who complain of respiratory infections, and other related problems, is growing. In such a situation when we have intense cold, chances of complication only go upward.

What adds to our troubles is the life style we have now been adopting. Doctors, and other experts in the filed of healthcare, keep on emphasising on the importance of  maintaining a healthy life style. But unfortunately we tend to ignore expert advice. The importance of taking a walk, doing some light exercise, maintaining body temperature, not walking out of the warm rooms suddenly into the exteriors gripped by intense cold, are some of the ways we can ward off the troubles. There is a need that the government undertakes a massive public awareness campaign regarding the healthy lifestyle during winters. This would definitely have its impact, and would mean a lot to the healthcare system that is already reeling under a tremendous burden.

Beyond lifestyle issues, we need to find our other contributory elements and deal with them one by one. Another key element is the choice of food. A little care on this count can make a significant difference. Our immunity is a direct function of the food we take.

Even beyond, there are problems that the government needs to take care of at a bigger level. Those are related to pollution. If we have clean air to breathe, most of the problems may get resolved. That is the key area where the concerned departments need to work.