Even though most industries and services have been shut down in India owing to coronavirus spread fears, there are some people who are still going to work because of the nature of their profession. It is appalling that medics and airline crew members are facing discrimination and ostricisation because of their work, when in fact, these are among the most important people fighting against coronavirus right now.?
Video of an Indigo crew member sharing shocking details of her and her mother¡¯s treatment in her locality is going viral on the Internet.?
The crew member, reportedly named Amrita, can be seen holding back and choking on tears while talking in the video. She says, ¡°Being in service industry, we people are facing a lot. I am living in a place full of hypocrites, including the local police. Whereas my job requires that I have to be there on duty and my company is taking full precautions for me to be safe.¡±
In the viral video she goes on to mention how people in her locality are spreading rumors of her having been infected by coronavirus and how her lone mother is facing harassment and ostracization.?
In the video she says, ¡°They are harassing my mother like anything. She can't go out to buy groceries because people refuse her saying that 'your daughter has corona, you might also have it'.¡±
To quell safety concerns, Amrita goes on to mention in the video that her airline is taking all the necessary precautions and said ¡°we are safer than you are.¡±?
In the end of the video, she pleads everyone to not believe or spread rumors about her.?People online came out in support of Amrita; these are some of the reactions to the video.?
As Amrita mentioned, she is not the only one from her profession to face discrimination. Indigo earlier issued a statement about its staff facing mistreatment for simply doing their jobs. ¡®There are some instances when our employees have been ostracised from their communities as a result of their line of duty and travel history¡¯, the statement said.?
Similarly, Air India made a public appeal saying, ¡®We would like to appeal to all,particularly the law enforcement agencies,to ensure that AirIndia crew are treated with respect and freedom that every citizen deserves, especially those who have been discharging their duties in selfless manner for return of fellow Indians¡¯, as the crew members who were involved in bringing stranded Indians back from Italy, faced mistreatment.?
Currently, the medics and the airline crews are risking their lives in order to keep important operations around the world running. We should be thankful to them and reciprocate in ways we can; insulting them and making their lives miserable is a rather despicable thing to do.