Meghalaya youth earns applause after voluntarily disclosing COVID-19 positive status

Guwahati: At a time when stigmas are rampant over the COVID-19 virus, when people are reluctant to allow the cremation of the unfortunate ones who lost the battle with the disease, when social false information on social media is giving rise to superstitions, a young man from Meghalaya has earned applause for "voluntary disclosure" of his 'positive' status.

Meban Wahlang, a youth hailing from Jaiaw Lumsyntiew in the cloudy state came to notice on Saturday after he self-declared his COVID-19 positive status on social media and urged the people close to him to get tested for the contagion. By doing so, Meban showed exemplary courage of conviction by owning up to the fact that he had tested positive for the virus that is wreaking havoc across his state. The dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases has also forced the Meghalaya Government's hand to declare a lockdown in the capital city of Shillong, where random testings have been initiated on a grand scale to contain the spread of the viral disease.

Taking to his social media, Meban wrote the following message, "Brothers, sisters, family and friends I just want to let you know that I have tested positive for the coronavirus. I am humbly requesting anyone who came in contact with me since Sunday the 19th to please keep themselves in isolation and to get themselves tested. Please don't panic I was not exposed and was taking precautions."

Needless to say, Meban's act caught the attention of netizens who have hailed him for his "courage." At the same time, his post has also been shared widely on social media where the unknown Meghalaya COVID-19 patient has gained cult status. 

Meban's voluntary disclosure of his COVID-19 status has come amid heightened tensions in the state over the Government's non-disclosure of names of those testing positive for the virus. There has been a rising demand across Meghalaya to reveal the names of the COVID-19 patients.  According to Dr. A War of Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Shillong medical ethics do not allow a doctor to reveal what disease a patient is ailing from.

To honor the COVID-19 patient Meban Wahlang for his selfless deed, the Shillong Chamber Choir dedicated him a song, "Make me a Channel of Your Peace", and wished him a speedy recovery.

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