The Health Board in al-Jazira criticizes security forces actions which could transmit coronavirus among the people
Qamishli – North-Press Agency
Reem Chamoun – Zana al-Ali
On Monday, the co-chair of the Health Board in al-Jazira region in northeastern Syria, Dr. Manal Mohamed, criticized the mechanism of work of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) for their constant contact with people and touching IDs.
In an interview with North-Press, Mohamed said: "Gloves protect the person who wears them, but their outer surface contributes greatly to the transmission of the virus to other people who do not wear them."
In the early morning hours, the quarantine decision in the northern and eastern regions of Syria came into effect to avoid the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, and Asayish and traffic police deployed throughout the city of Qamishli to monitor the implementation of the lockdown and the movement of those granted permission by the administration to go out due to the necessary nature of their work.
Security forces take various measures, including checking the personal cards of the passers-by. Security forces wear gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus, but their contact with passers-by and touching their personal cards may cause the transmission of viruses between the cardholders.
Dr. Manal Mohamed said that the Asayish, traffic police, and health employees protect themselves from coronavirus epidemic by wearing gloves and medical masks, but touching cards will contribute to the transmission of the virus among the cardholders.
According to researchers, the new coronavirus can survive for up to 9 days.
A study that included the analysis of around 22 previous studies conducted on a series of similar coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), was published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. It concluded that human coronavirus can remain infectious on non-living surfaces for up to 9 days at room temperature.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says it is possible to be infected by touching a surface or body contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
On Thursday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria announced the imposition of a lockdown in all its regions, starting from Monday, March 23rd, without specifying its end date.
The decision excluded hospitals, public and private health centers, international organizations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, pharmacies, sterilization committees, bakeries, foodstuff stores, vehicles which transport food and baby formula, journalists, and fuel tankers.