Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar: In order to prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus through cash experts in DHSK suggest the government to examine the possibility of using polymer currency notes, instead of paper currency notes, on the lines of countries like Australia, UK and Canada.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), experts say that the virus can spread through currency notes. Hence, it is better to switch to digital mode of transactions. But then, complete avoidance of cash in Kashmir is probably not possible. Hence, there is a need for a safer alternative to paper currency notes.
Nodal Officer for Covid-19 Control, South Kashmir, Dr. Aashiq Hussain told—KNO “Several diseases, including urinary and respiratory tract infections, skin infections and recurrent meningitis, are being transmitted through currency notes. They can also contribute to causing septicemia and toxic shock syndrome,” he said.
He further said “As coronavirus is an infectious disease which may spread by close contact of any person infected with such virus. Evidences suggest that currency notes are a source of infection and dangerous to health, more so because many of the pathogens on them are multi-drug resistant strains.”—(KNO)
