What is the Corona epidemic?
This is an epidemic caused by the virus called corona or COVID-19 which causes death due to multi-organ failure starting from breathing problems with fever if not treated early.
How can it be transmitted quickly?
Experts say that this virus can critically infect humans usually spread through the air, via coughing/sneezing, close physical contact, or by touching any surface or object that has been contaminated by it and very rarely by fecal contamination. It spreads easily and to date has seriously affected a good number of people around the world. The other issue is at the first stage of infection, it can not be distinguished until the symptoms are becoming too prominent.
What are the common symptoms?
Any individual infected by the COVID-19 virus experiences a mild to moderate respiratory illness, cough, fever, tiredness and in severe cases breathing difficulty. However, individuals above 60 years and people with underlying medical conditions with chronic diseases are most likely to get seriously ill.
What is the death rate?
Even less than or near to 20%. 80% of infected may be fully recovered if treated properly in time. Even among infected cases, only 5% proved to be critical. However, it needs to identify the case at the earliest possible, because there is no specific medicine course invented to cure it.
Then why are people locked in?
The virus has a tremendous infection rate and can be transmitted from one single person to millions within a few weeks by a geometric progression. As it needs specialized treatment and observation in isolation, no country in the world has such infrastructure to place millions for treatment. If it is millions without treatment, the death rate will start going up to form a genocide.
The current outbreak:
Globally, 750,039 cases were confirmed with 53,238 deaths but 213,136 recovered. India reported 2032 confirmed cases with 70 deaths, as on April 2, 2020.
The graph below shows the total number of globally active cases to date:
All we have to do to be more cautious, quarantine and follow safety guidelines religiously. Here are the most efficient ways to protect yourself from this pandemic:
Make it a habit to wash your hands very frequently:
Keep your hands clean and disinfected after sometimes or touching anything coming from outside. Wash your hands with soap solution or use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer as it will kill all sorts of unwanted viruses on your hands. This virus cannot move inside your body until and unless it is transmitted through your mouth, nose or ears with the touch of your contaminated hands.
Maintain Social Distancing:
Stop socializing, stop assembling in groups, always maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter or 3 feet between you and your friend, stop being a part of social gatherings, step out of the house only if it is exceptionally crucial to do so. Use phone or online mediums to gossip, go for virtual hangouts.
Continue treatment for other diseases:
Are you diabetic? Or hypertensive? Or in medication for any chronic disease or infection? Continue the treatments of your present problems seriously and please don’t cause any more disease at this time. Try to leave healthy with a controlled diet, sleep, and lifestyle. Your immunity is the strength to fight against Corona infection.
Always stay updated:
Do not indulge in taking self-medication without specialist treatment. Do not panic and do not transmit gossip. Always stay well informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 and follow the advice given by the healthcare providers, or even the advice of your national and local public health authority to protect yourself as well as the others from COVID-19.
Stay at Home:
Stay at home as much as possible, do not get out especially if you are sick. Staying at home allows you to avoid any kind of contact with others and be 100% safe from getting infected. Read a book, paint something you have always wanted to, watch a great movie, solve puzzles, and spend time with your family. Now is the exact time to rebuild your hobbies.
Take precautions while stepping out:
Your safety is in your hands. Always wear a mask and do not forget to wear a pair of gloves, every time you step outdoors. And, if you are having difficulty breathing, or even having mild fever and coughing, go for medical attention as soon as possible. Please do not delay. Going to the doctor is the only wise choice here.
Maintain your lifestyle:
Right now there is a shortage everywhere, it is best advisable to only shop for necessary commodities and keep the luxury at bay for the time being. Purchase as much as you can consume for the next few days. Do not forget to help the people and the stray dogs, out on the streets with food and water at their times of need.
In conclusion, The death rate of this virus is low whilst its spreading rate is comparatively high but, do not panic, it is completely curable if treated in time. Having been in quarantine for some time now, China seems to slowly & gradually reopen its market and businesses. Let’s not lose hope and fight this battle together by taking steps to protect ourselves and others. Take precautions, wear face masks, cover your coughs and sneezes. See you after the quarantine.
