PSGIM faculty survey finds increased respect for sanitary workers after COVID-19
Coimbatore: PSGIM faculty, Dr. Mansurali Anifa and Dr. Deepa Renganathan, conducted a survey, which revealed a paradigm shift of the mindset public had about sanitary workers.
The duo from the PSG Institute of Management in Coimbatore set out to capture the changes in lifestyle and thought processes, coping strategies that people adapted, benefits that people took away and issues faced during the current COVID crisis. Through a meticulously designed survey, they collected information on various lifestyle dimensions from approximately 250 people from different strata of society.
Each person was also asked to write 3 words that came to their mind about healthcare professionals and sanitary workers. The responses were constructed as word clouds. Apart from the elaborate findings from the study that is to be published, Dr. Mansurali and Dr. Deepa found that there is a newfound respect for those responsible for keeping our localities clean and hygienic.
The release said, "earlier, few of us looked at the people who maintain cleanliness in our localities with mild contempt, even criticizing that they were not working to the best of their abilities. We had never equated them to Gods, Warriors or Saviours and had also taken their services for granted. We had undermined their importance in our society. However, it is evident from the survey that the past few days have proved their presence as a gargantuan one."
They added that while doctors were always looked upon as saviours, the pandemic has caused a positive metamorphosis in the opinions of people towards sanitary workers. The survey revealed sanitary workers are also seen as Gods, Warriors and Saviours now. The researchers reiterated that this fundamental change must be focussed upon and sustained.
The study revealed that considering how high the risks for infections are, the absolutely selfless way in which our healthcare workers crusaded in curing those infected while trying to keep themselves safe, garnered something more than respect.
Dr. Mansur and Dr. Deepa observed a massive amount of respect pouring in for these unsung heroes that keep us safe and protected us from the pandemic that is changing the lives of everyone on the planet. They revealed that the word clouds they collected indeed brought to light not only the changes in people's mindsets and attitude towards these workers but also how much of an influence they have had on the day-to-day life.