Doctors warn against use of tear gas to disperse protesters, cite surge in COVID-19 cases

At least 1,300 medical officials have signed a petition calling against use of tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters at Black Lives Matter rallies. Unrest has prevailed in many cities in United States which was triggered by death of African American George Floyd. Thousands of people have flooded streets of major cities amid coronavirus outbreak and police officials have t only vised against such mass garings but have even taken violent measures to control demonstrations. 

Citing fear of a surge in coronavirus cases, medical professionals including doctors, nurses, disease experts have ted that measures taken by police authorities will accelerate spre of COVID-19 disease. In an open letter, health experts have said that police brutality could le to worsening situation of coronavirus outbreak which has alrey spre unevenly among Americans based on ir racial orientation. authorities in Minneapolis, Philelphia, New York among or US cities have hered to tactics like launching fumes of chemical irritants and smoke to disperse demonstrations. 

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medical professionals have ted that y “do t condemn protests” against white supremacy and showcased ir support. y even said that demonstrations are t as risky for transmission of fatal disease and refore have put toger a set of guidelines for government to allow garings and supporting right of people to protest. y have also vised against detention of people in confined places including jails or police vans.

One of guidelines said, “Oppose any use of tear gas, smoke, or or respiratory irritants, which could increase risk for COVID-19 by making respiratory tract more susceptible to infection, exacerbating existing inflammation, and inducing coughing.”

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Some cities decided to curb use

While public health experts have long opposed use of tear gas which can turn lethal sometimes, only officials in some cities have agreed on abstaining from its use. On June 5 Seattle’s mayor h anunced a 30-day moratorium on tear gas being used by police officials. Moreover, even California’s goverr Gavin Newsroom has called for brand new standards of law enforcement in wake of nationwide protests. Even a district Court Judge has ordered Denver police on June 5 to abstain from use of “less-than-lethal” measures including tear gas, plastic bullets and flash grenes to dismiss protests over death of 46-year-old. 

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(Im Source: AP)