Covid scare may keep senior Goans away from polling booths on Feb 14

Team Herald

MARGAO: The Covid graph in the State may be beginning to show a flattening, with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) reassuring that the peak of the third wave has passed. However, uncertainty prevails amongst voters, especially senior citizens regarding them stepping out of their houses to exercise their franchise on February 14.

Candidates contesting the upcoming Assembly elections have expressed concern that the low voter turnout could affect their chances of winning the polls.  

Against this backdrop, senior citizens too are sceptical of the Election Commission’s announcement that they will be identified by their respective booth level officers and that they can vote at home.

“We were told about this but till date we have neither received any call nor any official from the government or election commission has visited our homes. We do not know if we have to apply and have not received clear details regarding the same. We have queries if they do visit our homes with regard to timing, how they will go about it, etc, as we have to prepare our family members (the senior citizens) for this,” said Marilyn Estibeiro, whose parents are in their 70s and 80s.

Some senior citizens with high-risk co-morbidities are worried about contracting the virus given the high number of deaths reported in January this year. They spent most of the month remaining indoors and are very particular that whosoever they interact with should follow Covid safety protocols. They are sacred of the idea of stepping out to vote and having to pass through crowds of people, including those without masks.

There are also senior citizens who contracted the virus and at various stages of their recovery or post recovery, are exercising extreme caution with their daily routine, making sure they don’t exert themselves too much.

“We have always gone for voting and haven’t missed a single election. In our old age, keeping up with the political developments has become our favourite pastime and it was always interesting to see what is happening closer to the elections. But this year, I am afraid we may have to give it a miss as we can’t take the risk. Why did they not postpone the elections?” asked 77-year-old Sanket Raikar.

Many have concurred with the concerns although a senior citizen said he will ask his neighbours to check on the less number of voters at the polling booth and then vote.

“If there is too big a crowd, even if I want to go, my family may be against it out of concern for my health and they are the ones looking after me. We will seek our doctor’s advice whether I can go or not. I already promised the candidates that I will vote and I want to keep my word,” said 81-year-old Agostinho D’Souza.

It is pertinent to note that there are people other than senior citizens who are also worried.

“We have lost friends of our age to Covid. I have a family with kids. Will still wait and see as initially I thought I would not go but if the cases drop and the risk of contracting the infection is less, we may reconsider our decision,” said Omkar Prabhudesai, an IT professional.

“Every third person we know has contracted the infection. As of now, we may be skipping the polls. We need more assurances with regards to safety measures in and around the polling stations,” said Soraya Fernandes, who is expecting a child later this year.