Ever since the pandemic broke out in India in March, reporters, cameramen and photographers have been in the forefront recording and investigating the tragic stories of coronavirus victims and the trail of death, illness and economic destruction it has wrought. Many of our journalist colleagues have themselves become victims too. The Covid-19 tests carried out among many of our colleagues in Mumbai have turned up positive.

For field journalists researching and reporting stories, working from home is not an option. Unfortunately, those tramping hospitals, slums and containment areas are not fully protected and many have picked up the infection because of a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Many media companies notoriously want stories and pictures but have not provided the safety and security required for such coverage.

To bridge the yawning gap for protective equipment, the Mumbai Press Club and journalist and photographer Rubina Khan have joined hands to reach high quality HAZMAT suits to around 150 field journalists. These are being distributed to video cameramen, photographers and reporters who are exposed daily to the risk of infection.

Moved by the reports of many photo journalists testing positive for Covid-19, and the health risks they are taking, Rubina Khan launched a fundraiser to buy 600 high quality PPE suits. She received an overwhelming response from industrialist Ness Wadia, Executive Director of Serum Institute of India Natasha Poonawalla, filmmaker Karan Johar, actor Amrita Arora, film costume designer Ana Singh, art advisor Wendy A Coutinho, businesswoman Eesha Sukhi and jeweller Siddharth Kasliwal. 

Besides the PPE suits, filmmaker Manish Mundra has sent over 900 kits for press persons that include protective equipment – goggles, gloves and masks. The Tata Trusts too have provided masks and UPL Ltd has kindly sent a large consignment of hand sanitizers. These are being distributed too. We take this opportunity to thank all these donors who have stepped in at a crucial time to provide safety gear.