Senior citizens oppose compulsory use of mask
Akash Dhanurkar
Both, the municipal corporations, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad have issued orders to the citizens of the city to wear masks or face action.
Reaching out to Pune Pulse, a 55 year old resident, Vilas Pandarinath Kute said, “We support the state government and the civic body’s move to curb the spread of pandemic by urging people to wear. However, our only concern is the use of mask during exercising or morning walk – it suffocates us.”
He further said, “On one hand, the government asks citizens to improve immunity by exercising. So, how is it possible to exercise with a mask when the majority of the senior citizens are either suffering from asthma, or chronic heart problems. Wearing the mask while exercising can add more problems to breathing.”
Even as the Central, state and city authorities have made it mandatory to wear masks, several senior citizens from Nigdi and Pradhikaran areas are opposing to wear face masks while walking or exercising, citing suffocation as the main reason.
United Nations, in its statement, had made it clear that people should not wear mask while exercising as it reduces the ability to breathe comfortably.
A 65 year old resident from the area, Dilip More said “Like, everybody has different immunity power, similarly, the preference towards taking precautions may differ. I do wear the mask during morning walks, and that is my way of taking precautions. Senior citizens do not most of the time do vigorous exercise so there are less chances of suffocating. If someone does it then they can take their own risk amid the growing virus.”
Confirming the similar information from one of the residents of Pimple Saudagar, Shubhash Raheja, said that “I do face difficulty in breathing while exercising if I wear the mask, but catching COVID is more life threatening than use of the mask. As a senior citizen, I urge everyone to wear a mask.” On speaking with Dr. Ashish Dolas, a Cardiologist from Pimpri Chinchwad, said, “Considering the current rise in the COVID cases, one must wear the mask. Secondly, the senior citizens, or the patients who had trouble with the use of masks must understand that the use of a mask may lower the saturation level of breathing by just 2 – 3 readings, and that isn’t the spot of bother.”
Raising this issue with Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Shravan Hardikar, he said, “This decision has been taken by the state and the central government – so, there is no question of diluting it. However, in this hour of crisis, the senior citizens must prefer exercising at home as they are at the greater risk of catching the virus. And, to the other group of citizens: They have to wear the mask in the public spaces while maintaining the social distancing norms.”
