Parties bat for virtual press briefings to prevent scribes from getting infected

Pointing out that journalists in Mumbai and Delhi are the worst affected, he explained that any press meet on an average addressed by a leader will invite close to 250 people to the venue, including the driver, cameraman and the reporters. Under this context the state can do away with the press briefings, the statement said.

Though the nature of the job of doctors and police cannot be altered, the journalists can opt for an online medium of collecting news, so that the risk of virus transmission is reduced. The Chief Minister and the state Ministers can do away with the regular press briefings and can issue statements that can be published to update the public. If there is a necessity to screen the important corona related review meetings, the state can again put in use the public information department to shoot the meetings and the same can be shared with other media houses.

Expressing his concern for those affected by COVID-19, Ramadoss demanded better gloves, PPEs and safety wears for the doctors, nurses, sanitary workers and the police personnel.

AMMK leader Dhinakaran also suggested the state to minimise the press conferences. In case if there is a necessity for press briefing the state can arrange press meets through video conferencing, the RK Nagar MLA said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Vijaya Baskar, who was sidelined, is back in press conferences to defend his ministry that is facing criticism from the opposition for purchasing test kits and PPEs at a higher cost. Vijaya Baskar known for his tactical replies, has made his defence stronger for the state pointing out that the government purchased the rapid test kits from China for Rs 600, the rates fixed by the Centre and ICMR. He also said that the Chhattisgarh’s deal to get rapid test kits for Rs 337 has not materialised and pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has procured the kits at a cost of Rs 750.

In the integrated Vellore district, the arrival of rapid test kits for COVID-19 infection enabled officials, a Minister and media personnel to check their health status on Tuesday. While Commercial Taxes Minister KC Veeramani and Tirupatur SP P Vijayakumar tested negative at the government hospital at Tirupattur, more than 100 media personnel, who were given a special test slot also tested negative at the old Vellore bus stand. Meanwhile, 15 of the 38 patients, who tested positive for the virus in Ranipet district were discharged from the Vellore Government Medical College Hospital and returned home on Tuesday. They were received at Melvisharam, the district border by Collector S Divyadarshini and SP A Mayilvaganan. Similarly, farmers in Tirupattur district were happy as Minister Veeramani flagged off mini lorries carrying agricultural inputs to farmers’ doorstep to ensure that they did not have venture into the market area.