The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday termed the situation in the state as ‘worrisome’. He said, “The situation in Maharashtra isn’t critical, but certainly worrisome.”
He asked people to not step out of their homes and sought their cooperation for the ongoing ‘war against virus’ that has created a pandemic, killing 8,978 people worldwide and infected 219,702.
“Like in the days of the (1971) India-Pakistan War, the siren has been sounded. We all have to be alert and fight this global war. This virus is spreading step-by-step and Maharashtra has the highest number of affected,” Thackeray said.
However, people are unperturbed about the catastrophic situation that might arise if immediate preventive measures are not taken.
On Thursday morning, people in Nagpur gathered on the streets to exercise, as the gyms in the city are shut down due to the pandemic. A local, Hardeep Bhatia, said, “We are building our immunity system by exercising.”
Twitter users lashed out at these Nagpur residents. “This is insane. Did they not understand meaning of maintaining social distancing,” a user said. While another user said, “Purpose of shutting down gyms was to avoid gathering of people at one place. Wasn’t the ban pointless because now the people are getting gathered on streets.”
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
This is insane. Did they not understand meaning of maintaining social distancing
— The Intellectual (@realnitinarora) March 19, 2020
I always thought the gym hoppers are half-minds. Hence proven!
— Vasudha (@WordsSlay) March 19, 2020
This reminds me of TMKOC episode. These are the same people who don’t go to the gym for more than 1 day. pic.twitter.com/lW16udPVGf
— Shweta (@Shweta__says) March 19, 2020
I am also a regular morning walker in this area, but not visiting to avoid gathering. Better excercise at home; public areas should be avoided. Let’s not make things complicated for Adminstration & Police.
— Tejinder Singh Renu (@bobbyrenu) March 19, 2020
pic.twitter.com/Dx1zLxNneW
— siddharth (@inyodreams__) March 19, 2020
Abee kya gadhe log hain ♂️♂️ pic.twitter.com/UwWE6hSn6W
— Bored_biotechnologist (@imbb_vhc) March 19, 2020
These are educated morns .. No matter what govt does #coronavirus will spread with such type of morons… #CoronaInMaharashtra @CMOMaharashtra https://t.co/sskWjvvihp
— @Mahesh (@hanchatemahesh) March 19, 2020
I am strong Believer of Democracy but You people Don’t Deserve it #CoronaInMaharashtra #coronavirusindia https://t.co/uXUD0pxlNE
— Thalaivar North Fan Page (@Thalaivar_NFP) March 19, 2020
Immunity isn’t a switch. It isn’t controlled by a regulator. You cannot increase the speed whenever you wish. https://t.co/DZaB9v4kcf
— Jesal (@jesalmystery) March 19, 2020
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
–Robert A. Heinlein https://t.co/p0i2cx0v7N— Ramandeep Singh Mann (@ramanmann1974) March 19, 2020
Meanwhile in Maharashtra, the total number of people to test positive for coronavirus rose to 47 on Thursday, which is the highest among all the states in the country. While in India, 169 people have been tested positive for COVID-19.