i) Emerging Scenario of COVID-19 Pandemic
When first case of a person infected with Corona virus surfaced in China on 31st December 2019, no body imagined even in their wildest imagination that an ordinary looking incident could explode into mega crisis and engulf the entire world into it. People throughout the world took the outbreak with casual approach and complacency and this care a damn attitude played pivotal role into subsequent spread of the pandemic to an unmanageable scale.
In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new corona virus disease in Hubei Province, China to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Since then WHO has declared it as a Pandemic affecting more than 115 countries around the globe. India has witnessed its first COVID-19 case in Kerala on 30th January 2020, it was in a way ring bell for the things to come. Like other parts of the world, we too were limited in our response, at the outset. The usual disdain was writ large. People were loath about accepting the fact that the pandemic may also descend on our territories. Non-seriousness seemed very scary. Nonetheless, NYKS started working rigorously to prevent the spread of the pandemic by focusing on awareness and preventive measures. Social distancing, hand washing and self-isolation were also promoted with the advancement of the pandemic and knowledge gained for different methods of prevention
With cases rising steadily, all sections of our society and stakeholders started playing roles to stop the spread of this disease by reaching out to the rural and urban communities all over the country. The unprecedented health crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic in India is affecting all parts of the country and changing lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
ii) Initial Immediate Response of NYKS, Department of Youth Affairs
As an initial quick response, on 13 March 2020, advisories were issued by Deptt. of Youth Affairs to its youth organizations viz. NYKS and NSS for postponing all activities of mass participation till further orders. This probably gave indication about the enormity of the looming crisis. By and large, public reactions even during this time were more of whisper with caution as still at this juncture the occurrence of COVID-19 was not felt. Meanwhile, NYKS keeping in view its Pan India presence up to village level, as pre-emptive measure, started gearing up for taking up multiple roles to combat COVID-19 Pandemic with its enviable networks of Youth Volunteers and Youth Leaders. In fact, NYKS while learning lessons from other parts of the world, which were affected by COVID-19, started documenting and enlisting the youth volunteers, State and District wise across the country so that as per the need of the time they can be made aware, trained and motivated to provide their voluntary services
iii) National Leadership Showed the Way Forward
• Call for Voluntary Janta Curfew - Sensitizing with Word of Caution
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with a view to sensitize the citizens with a word of caution and preparedness on COVID-19 gave a call for Janta Curfew on 22nd March 2020.The call was clearly an indication that Govt. of India was contemplating and foreseeing the crisis and through the call people were made to understand the gravity and motivated to accordingly respond
The experience of Janta Curfew helped the people of India chart the way ahead for tackling corona virus. In response, Department of Youth Affairs, issue directions to the field units of NYKS and NSS across India to implement Jatna Curfew among youth volunteers, their families and common people. As a result, it enabled participation of 24.17 Lakh Volunteers and their families and the message of Prime Minister reached out to 2.58 crore citizens
Announcement of Lockdown - Gearing Up for Prevention
On 24 March 2020, the Government of India ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in India. It was ordered after voluntary public curfew on 22 March, followed by enforcement of a series of regulations in the country’s COVID-19 affected regions. People of the country were sensitized and motivated to Stay at homes and not to venture outside - Corona - Koi Road Par Na Nikale.
There are many indications that the COVID-19 pandemic will have multidimensional impacts on the whole of societies, including youth. In increasing numbers, youth volunteers are proactively combating the spread of the virus and working to mitigate and address the pandemic’s impacts. For example, youth volunteers are already at the forefront of risk communication initiatives - i.e. spreading the word about combating misinformation, discrimination and stigma related to the crisis, as well as the importance of physical distancing and proper measures to stop the spread of the virus. For instance, local youth volunteers are disseminating information about the virus in local languages; youth are volunteering to safely help elderly people and other at-risk groups to access supplies, such as food and medication. They are also providing guidance on thorough hand washing practices so as to reduce the spread of the virus as well as providing support to District Administrations as per their needs.
i. Awareness and Education
Youth Volunteers of NYKS be educated to take up awareness and education on prevention of COVID-19 Pandemic. These volunteers can share verified information and messages explaining prevention methods such as hand washing, wearing of face mask and maintaining safe social distancing, sanitization and observance of lockdown for safety. The IEC Materials on Dos and Don'ts be used to make people aware about the pandemic and precaution they should take to minimize the risk of infection. Explanatory videos and Social Media could be part of Awareness and Education on preventive methods
ii. Popularization of Home Made Face Masks and Wearing
Popularization of Homemade Mask making is one of the important issues in fight against COVID-19. Homemade mask making is cost effective, accessible and easy to make at Home. As we know that large chunk of population still reside in remote locality where availability of mask is difficult and not affordable. Universally, usages of Face Mask have been able to establish its utility in preventing and minimizing the spread of COVID-19. In fact, in the present scenario, Face Masks have become necessity for everybody. NYKS have undertaken various measures for the promotion and popularization of appropriate technologies to make Face Masks from Home by utilizing locally available materials. It should be continued. For taking up the initiative, Youth Volunteers and Members of Youth Cubs be trained on Homemade Mask Making by using audio-visual modules/videos and through social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook and YouTube channels. The trained youth should further motivate families and encouraged them to make masks at their homes as one of the measures in fight against COVID-19 Pandemic
iii. Hand Wash and Sanitization:
During COVID-19 outbreaks, Hand Washing and Sanitization becomes critical in stopping the infection. Hand hygiene is a way of cleaning one's hands that substantially reduces potential pathogens (harmful germs) on the hands. Hand hygiene procedures include hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 secs or use of 70% alcohol-based hand rubs.
NYKS Volunteers should help people to understand the benefits of hand washing and sanitization through educational and behavioural tools and tactics. As we are now facing new, unforeseen challenges with COVID-19, the Volunteers in the field should also provide support to the COVID-19 response in their respective areas by quickly adapting hygiene promotion to target a broader audience, undertaking campaigns online and social media platforms.
iv. Social Distancing:
Respiratory Hygiene is a combination of measures taken to stop the spread of germs through respiratory behaviours like coughing or sneezing. Social Distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least two meters away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19. Social Distancing is keeping a distance between you and other people so that you do not come in contact with their infected droplets in case they are carrying an infection. Social distancing also means that you avoid crowded places, you do not organize events where people have to get together.
The major focus of NYKS since lockdown has been to ensure compliance with lockdown and social distancing. In this regard, NYKS can organize various activities ranging from deployment of youth volunteers in places of public gathering to sensitizing people about the utility and necessity for accepting social distancing norms. This brought in social and behavioral change among people to comply with the guidelines issued by the Govt. To ensure non- violation in this regard, NYKS volunteers should work in close association with State and District Administration and volunteers can be deployed in various capacities which include maintaining social distancing norms in places of public gathering like markets, banks, Primary Health Centers, manning control rooms, customer service points.
v. Sanitization of public places, streets, buildings:
Sanitization is utmost important in stopping the spread of infection of COVID-19. Volunteers can encourag people to sanitize their home and locality. They can focus on pro-active public participation in sanitization of Public Places, streets and buildings, because leaving all these to Sanitary Workers would be too much ask. NYKS Volunteers can complement the efforts of Health and M.C. Workers during sanitizing areas.
vi. Providing soaps and sanitizers:
Minimize the impact on Health and stop the infection of COVID-19 is of prime concerns. Soap and Sanitizers keep people clean and hygienic and therefore, NYKS Volunteers can provide soap and sanitizers by mobilizing local resources for those who could not afford.
v. Care of Elderly People:
Elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also, course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderly resulting in higher mortality. However, COVID-19 transmission among elderly population can be reduced by taking special care, precautions and reaching them out. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the elderly populations with their own set of health-related abnormalities, low degree of immunity and high degree of dependency, are considered as the most vulnerable group
Considering this, special initiative has been undertaken by Department of Youth Affairs. Under this program, NYKS Youth Volunteers and Members of youth Clubs should further be sensitized through virtual Webinars platforms on various aspects like geriatric care, its relevance in the present COVID 19 situation. After this process, COVID-19 Volunteers can be sharing and leveraging knowledge and information among the members of those families who have elderly people and cared for their protection against COVID-19 across the country.
i. Support to District Administration
Volunteers and Officials of NYKS and NSS have been engaged by District Administration for facilitating various services and handling crowds at places viz. Banks, Hospitals, Grain Mandis Operations, Vegetable Markets, Camps of Migrant Workers and other Public Services places where the Crowds were suitably handled
ii. Ensuring Compliance of Govt. Guidelines
Ensuring compliance of Govt. Guidelines among masses and reaching out to those whose information accessibility was limited. Further, majority of them did not initially realize and internalize the fact that following the guidelines issued by the Govt. was aimed at for their own sake. NYKS with the help of their Volunteers should disseminate the message by using tools such as Personal Contact, establishing dialogue, and by raising awareness through IEC materials in regional languages to strike the right chord and convince the communities.
i. Food Preparation and Distribution
Food Preparation and Distribution are very critical during lockdown. There can be thousands of poor, needy, disadvantaged section and migrant workers to whom providing these basic survival needs could be required in proper and orderly way. Volunteers of NYKS as per the requirements should be motivated to support and facilitate the Administration to undertake these welfare measures properly.
ii. Packaging and Distribution of Food Items to poor and needy:
District Administrations were ably supported by Youth Volunteers of NYKS and NSS in packaging and delivering of foods to poor and needy. During lockdown, maintaining orderliness and ensuring distribution of food to the deserving ones were very challenging. If the need be the NYKS volunteers (who were having detailed knowledge of their localities) should help in packaging the food items and distribution
iii. Helping Families with People Affected with COVID-19:
Those who are affected with COVID-19 are put under quarantine and face isolation and even stigma attached in such trying and critical times. NYKS Volunteers can help the families of these people in terms of their requirement, even counseled them in the midst of depression and monotony
iv. Blood Donation:
Blood Donation during COVID-19 crisis is critical in saving life. Once the lockdown started, it also restricted voluntary blood donors. This resulted in inadequate blood availability in Blood Banks. Considering the scenario, NYKS with the help of its volunteers and Members of Youth Clubs be motivated to come forward for voluntary blood donation
Stigma associated with COVID-19 is based on three main factors viz. COVID-19 is a new disease about which many things are still being discovered, when something is unknown people are worried which leads to fear and rumours or fake news give wrong information and spreads the fear
COVID Warriors of NYKS can sensitize people and help them to understand that it is a simple infection and 80% of the cases are mild cases therefore don't afraid of COVID-19, fight it. Youth volunteers can ask people to stay away from watching negative things on the TV and also fake news; guided WhatsApp groups may help in giving hope and positive news to help people handle stress; advised people to engage in relaxing activities like indoor games, reading, gardening, home-cleaning, etc and emphasize that most people do recover from COVID-19, amplify the good news about local people; who have recovered from COVID-19 or supported a loved one through recovery
i. Respecting COVID Warriors and felicitation of Frontline Workers:
During the crisis period of lockdown in the wake of COVID-19, efforts and dedication of COVID Warriors and Frontline Workers are exemplary. They have to work under great risk and stress, away from their families and loved ones. Further, there are cases of attacks on them. Besides, they are also subject to stigma and Discrimination. NYKS volunteers can undertake activities to honor and felicitate these Frontline Workers and COVID Warriors. Such initiatives will bring sense of pride in these Frontline Workers as well as feeling that their contribution is for a larger national cause and they are being supported by society.
ii. Combating Stigma and Discrimination:
Healthcare and Frontline Workers while combating COVID-19 Pandemic have unfortunately become the most vulnerable victims of stigma, discrimination, ostracization and sometimes worst act of unwarranted harassment. Such a situation has hampered the medical and para-medical community from performing their duties to their optimum best. Besides, the people affected with COVID-19 are also being stigmatized and discriminated to a great extent by people.
Considering this, Department of Youth Affairs has launched a National Campaign to counter Stigma and Discrimination which aims at addressing fears of the population and promote love, care, respect and solidarity based on a positive narrative. To fight against such stigma and discrimination, NYKS with their large network of volunteers can actively undertake various awareness activities with four pronged Communication Strategy i.e. Advocacy, Capacity Building, Community Engagement and Accountability and Media Engagement.
Iii. बदल कर अपना व्यवहार, करें करोना पर वार" Campaign
The behaviour change campaign "बदल कर अपना व्यवहार, करें करोना पर वार" was started by NYKS 1st June, 2020. It contained a number of Videos and Audios of Hon'ble Prime Minster, Celebrities like Sh. Amitabh Bachchan, Sh. Sachin Tendulkar and Sh. Akshay Kumar and 9 ready to use stencils/posters provided by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. As a part of the Campaign, Advocacy activities be organized with a participation of youth, sensitize members of Youth Clubs by organizing Capacity Building activities through webinars, virtual modes and social medias and form WhatsApp Groups with an involvement of all NYKS field functionaries, NYVs, Office Bearers & members of Youth Clubs, COVID Volunteers, and other stakeholders. As a part of Community Engagement and Accountability, Messages / contents be shared through WhatsApp, facebook, twitter, Wall writings/ wall paintings by members of Youth Clubs as well as disseminate the 09 Stencils/Posters and 05 Audio & Videos among citizens.
Youth Volunteers while undertaking activities should take care of themselves while following safety guidelines, precautions and advisories of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Govt. of India issued from time to time and District Administration. Youth Volunteers while undertaking activities should take care of themselves while following safety guidelines, precautions and advisories of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Govt. of India issued from time to time and District Administration.
Budget
Rs. 16,000/- Per District. Budget should be utilized on preparation of educational material, awareness campaigns, environment building, publicity, conducting Webinars, Honorarium to Resource Persons and to meet out other miscellaneous expenses
Publicity : Media & Press Coverage : For visibility of COVID 19 activities, following steps will be undertaken
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