CORONAVIRUS- A DETAILED STUDY
THE NOVEL VIRUS COVID - 19
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause illnesses such as the common cold, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in Wuhan city of China. The virus is now known as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease which is caused by it is called Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
SYMPTOMS &
Signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may appear two to 14 days after exposure. This time after exposure and before having symptoms is called the incubation period.
Common signs and symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Tiredness
Other symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle aches
Chills Sore throat
Headache Chest pain
Loss of taste or smell (Newly Added)
This
list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, such
as rash, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Children have similar symptoms to
adults and generally have mild illness.
The
severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some people
may have only a few symptoms, and some people may have no symptoms at all.
People who are older or who have existing chronic medical conditions, such as
heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, severe obesity, chronic kidney or liver
disease, or who have compromised immune systems may be at higher risk of
serious illness. This is similar to what is seen with other respiratory
illnesses, such as influenza.
Some
people may experience worsened symptoms, such as worsened shortness of breath
and pneumonia, about a week after symptoms start.
CAUSE
The virus appears to spread easily among people, and more continues to be discovered over time about how it spreads. Data has shown that it spreads from person to person among those in close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters). The virus spreads by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can be inhaled or land in the mouth or nose of a person nearby.
It can also spread if a person touches a surface with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes; although this isn't considered to be a main way it spreads.
RISK FACTOR
Risk factors for COVID-19 appear to include:
Recent travel from or residence in an area with ongoing community spread of COVID-19 as determined by CDC or WHO
Close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters) with someone who has COVID-19 for more than 5 minutes or being coughed or sneezes on by an infected person
COMPLICATIONS
Complications can include:
Pneumonia and trouble breathing
Organ failure in several organs
Heart problems
A severe lung condition that causes a low amount of oxygen to go through your bloodstream to your organs (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
Blood clots
Acute kidney injury
Additional viral and bacterial infections
PREVENTION
 |
| Sanitize hands regularly |
- Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
- Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
- Stay home as much as possible and keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters), especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness. Keep in mind some people may have COVID-19 and spread it to others, even if they don't have symptoms or don't know they have COVID-19.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your face with a cloth face mask in public spaces, such as the grocery store, where it's difficult to avoid close contact with others, especially if you're in an area with ongoing community spread. Only use non medical cloth masks — surgical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health care providers.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding and other household items if you're sick.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily.
- Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-sharing if you're sick.
If you have a chronic medical
condition and may have a higher risk of serious illness, check with your doctor
about other ways to protect yourself.
PROS OF COVID-19
The world's largest lock down means all factories, markets, shops, and places of worship are now closed, most public transport suspended and construction work halted, as India asks its citizens to stay home and practice social distancing.
- NO2 level fell drastically.
- Lowest traffic pollution recorded
- Birds and animals migrated back
- Ganga water became more clean than ever
- People spent more time with family members
- Online resources were used more than ever
- Work from home concept was introduced
- People developed new skills
CONS OF COVID-19
Many people lost their source of income
Migrants were the worst affected
Stress and anxiety
Fear of future
Economic crisis
Divorce rate increased
CONCLUSION
In one of his Ted talks in 2015, tech giant Bill Gates had predicted that viruses pose the greatest risk of global catastrophe; when compared to other threats of humanity. If anything kills over 10 million people over the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war or missiles, he warned. His fears were not unfounded. Five years later, Corona-virus or as we say Covid 19, has brought the world to its knees. Businesses have been shut, schools and colleges are closed, travel banned. The whole world is in a complete lock down. But as they say challenges create opportunities. Covid-19 may have turned our lives upside down but it has certainly provided an opportunity for all of us to rise to the occasion during these testing times.
Firstly, Covid has given a huge lift to online learning both in the metros and non-metros. Online education, for instance, has got a major boost. Educational institutions, business organisations among others, have taken online education to a new level by offering classes, coaching and courses in an innovative way to keep their audience hooked at these times of lock-down. In India, students and professionals are signing up for online classes- from entrance exams like JEE and NEET or for up skilling, the demand has grown manifold. According to reports, courses on cyber security, cloud, AI and data science have witnessed a jump of 15% in March. Several schools across the country have started online classes. Students are attending classes virtually. Schools have ensured that virtual classroom looks like normal classrooms with hours filled with activities and homework. In fact, according to Comscore, an American media measurement and analytics company that provides marketing data and analytics to enterprises; media and advertising agencies, there has been a significant jump in online news consumption across the world, communication apps are being embraced by even the cynics, and binge-watching has become the new stress buster. Global World Index substantiates by acknowledging the surge in online consumption which is seen across age groups.
Secondly, we have become more hygiene conscious. Yes, you heard it right. People have started taking personal hygiene more seriously. The ritual of washing hands, sanitizing things before use, that started as a compulsion is becoming a habit. According to IANS C-VOTER Gallup International Association Corona.
Tracker survey that was conducted recently, a mammoth 87.2 per cent of Indians have become vigilant towards their personal hygiene during Covid lock down. Health and hygiene brands have risen to the occasion and have started massive campaigns to spread awareness on cleanliness. Public spitting is a criminal offence liable to fine.
Work from Home (WFH) is the third major change that has become a part of our lives. Well, honestly speaking it was never a new concept. Many IT companies in the West and even in India has been practicing it with perfection. Covid 19 has taken it to another level with almost all companies asking its employees to WFH.
The culture has seeped into our living rooms with people especially, women, juggling between cooking, parenting and working at the same time!
The Big Q: Will these changes continue after the lock-down is lifted? As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. A first look at these changes reveals that people from all walks of life have imbibed the alterations. Digital life has become a detox. Watching live you tube shows for hours have become popular. Similarly, people are getting used to WFH culture. According to Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, WFH will become a norm in the post-Covid world. Sanitizing things before use, is likely to continue, as people have recognized the need to stay healthy more so, with no vaccine on Covid in sight for a long time to come. Social distancing and wearing mask in public is also going to stay for a while. But then, the bigger question remains: Is India’s infrastructure well equipped to sustain these changes when things normalize? More important, will these changes enhance our economy or infuse more trouble in terms of employment? The answer lies in how things will shape up in few months. Till then, it’s wait and watch.
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-navi