Sir — The recent ‘tutorial’ video by the Bollywood star, Katrina Kaif, in which she tries to show viewers how to wash dishes in the absence of domestic help in the time of a national lockdown, was both amusing and infuriating. That the video seemed to have been filmed in all earnestness drove home the fact that the bubble of privilege in which India’s celebrities exist renders them almost incapable of recognizing the realities of the daily lives of common people. Washing dishes is an ordinary household chore that everyone ought to know how to do without making an ‘occasion’ out of it. Kaif’s tone-deaf video, especially at a time of great crisis in the nation, almost makes a mockery out of the actual deprivation suffered by millions.

Aliya Masaad

Calcutta

Harsh truth

Sir — It was shocking to read about the incidents in which nurses, paramedics and other medical professionals were forcibly evicted by their landlords in Calcutta and Delhi in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, for fear that the former would spread the infection (“Prejudice plagues toiling healers”, March 25). The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in West Bengal has gone up rapidly; at this time, we need more doctors and medical staff at hospitals than ever before. Matters have come to such a pass that the Niti Aayog has had to suggest that the government appeal to retired doctors and practitioners in the armed forces medical service to join the fight against the pandemic.

In such a grave situation — this is as good as a war against a formidable enemy, in which all resources are required — refusing accommodation to the very people who are key to stopping the spread of the disease is shameful and counterproductive. Everyone is fearful of catching the virus, but doctors know what precautions to take to prevent transmission. Disempowering them by throwing them out of their rented homes will only make the situation worse.

Shayan Das

North 24 Parganas

Sir — It is quite telling that soon after Indians banged utensils and rang bells with great fervour to ‘thank’ doctors, nurses, sanitation workers and other public service officials who have been working constantly to fight the pandemic and keep essential services going, medical professionals in Calcutta and Delhi were asked to vacate houses for fear that they would ‘infect’ others with the deadly virus. The irony is that the same doctors and nurses who have been asked to leave are the ones tirelessly helping society combat the illness by putting their own lives at risk.

In spite of knowing this, the landlords in question had no problem rendering them homeless. They did not care that their act would rightly come across as heartless and as a great disservice to the primary caregivers of Covid-19 patients.

Avik Chatterjee

Calcutta

Sir — In the light of the recent instances in which landlords have evicted doctors and other medical staff and even cancelled the rent agreements with tenants who are medical professionals, it is of utmost importance for the government to provide protection to the members of this community. The moral degradation that a society must suffer in order to victimize the very people fighting day and night to save citizens’ lives is unfathomable. However, given the fact that medical staff might continue to face such discrimination at the hands of ignorant landlords, it is more necessary to take concrete steps to ensure that they always have a roof over their heads.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association has sent a letter to the health ministry requesting protection for the medical professionals in Calcutta, but citizens, too, must do their part. People who have residential space to let out should make it a point at this time to let medical professionals know that they would be welcome as tenants. Young people can take it upon themselves to educate their parents and the elderly generation about the necessary precautions that can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, so that ignorance and fear do not come in the way of humanity. This is the time to extend all the support we possibly can to doctors and nurses; without their constant labour, far more people would fall sick and die of the virus infection.

Mallika Basu

Asansol

Sir — I was appalled to read that apart from having to fight Covid-19 every single day, doctors and nurses now also have to fight prejudice. They are being stigmatized for the simple fact that they are in close contact with coronavirus-afflicted patients all the time, and on the basis of that stigma, many of them are being forcefully thrown out of their rented homes. Do the landlords completely lack a conscience? How will they live with themselves if their actions have a direct impact on the ability of the nurses and doctors to report to work everyday, which in turn will affect the number of patients they can or cannot treat?

India and, indeed, the rest of the world have not faced a medical and moral crisis of such proportions in a very long time. Under the present circumstances, citizens whose actions directly or indirectly come in the way of doctors’ efforts to stop the disease from spreading should be penalized. This is the time for us to help doctors do their job better, not to contribute to their hardships.

Shariqua Sadique

Calcutta