Reporter’s diary: Selfies, at times, could be double-edged sword

Recently, this reporter tried to engage a Health official over phone on a complaint from students of the Stanley Medical College and Hospital regarding the hospital’s lack of preparedness in equipping such wards with necessary masks and protective gear for the medicos there, videos of which were circulated by the students on social media. The official, instead of responding to the allegations, started talking about the students’ urge to take videos instead of attending to patients. “We’ve people who are quarantined and need help. But the students are more keen on going around taking videos. This is alarming,” said the official. He said the selfie obsession has grown to such an extent that the students were even caught taking selfies with burn victims, and other unusual cases that come to the hospital. “Even during medical emergencies, the students give priority to taking selfies instead of rushing with help,” he said. As the official went on and on, this reporter had to stop the conversation without eliciting any proper response on the students’ charges.