I want to write 400 words on covid - 19
Answers
In the wake of the present global pandemic, there has been a rapid proliferation of misinformation and rumours related to coronavirus infection and disease, particularly via social media. We requested Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology at Ashoka University, Sonipat and Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, to answer some of the most common questions being asked about the virus and clear up some misconceptions.What is the coronavirus (COVID-19) and why are people worried about it?
The disease is called COVID-19 (Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019) and the virus that causes it is a type of virus called the coronavirus. It is so named because it bears a set of spikes that resembles a crown (“corona” means crown in Latin).
A number of viruses cause diseases in humans. These include diseases such as polio, measles, influenza (the “flu”) and the common cold. For some of these diseases, vaccines exist. Some of these vaccines, not all, are part of the immunisation schedule of injections you take when you are young. There is a vaccine for the flu which you can choose to take when older, but which needs to be taken every year to provide protection. These immunisations ensure that your immune system can recognise and fight the virus when it enters your body.
The problem comes when the body encounters a virus that it has simply not seen before. This is usually the case with viruses that circulate in animals or birds, for example, pigs, chickens and bats, under normal circumstances. Occasionally, these viruses can “spill-over” into humans, causing novel diseases. COVID-19 is one such disease. The virus for it is believed to have originated in bats.
People are worried about COVID-19 for a number of reasons. First, it is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person. Second, for a small number of people infected with the disease, it can be fatal. Third, we have no natural immunity to it, there are no vaccines against it, and there are no medicines we can take for it, as of now.
What do we know about how the disease affects people and how does the infection spread?
Most people have mild symptoms somewhat like those of the flu. Most often, these include a (high) fever, a dry cough and exhaustion. In some cases, body aches, shortness of breath, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, headache, chills and occasionally diarrhoea may also be present. The disease appears to affect older people more than it does younger ones. Those aged between 0 and 9 are much less affected. The disease has a stronger effect in those with some pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or suppressed immunity. More serious consequences of the disease, which includes pneumonia, are seen in about 1 in 5 patients.
The disease spreads largely through droplets that are emitted when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. These droplets can linger on surfaces and then reach your lungs when you touch these surfaces and then touch your mouth or face.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself and others from getting it?
Yes, indeed. The virus is transmitted through the respiratory route, i.e. through small droplets that are expelled when someone sneezes or coughs. These droplets can hang on to surfaces, such as the surface of someone’s hand or doorknobs or rails i.e. anywhere where people tend to touch. From there, little droplets carrying the virus can be transferred to your mouth and lungs. The solution? Wash your hands carefully to prevent the transfer of virus; for this follow the excellent videos that are available on Youtube (e.g. this one) that demonstrate the techniques that doctors and nurses use to wash their hands. If you wash the part of the tap you touch with soap and water before you wash your hands, you can open and close the tap at will to conserve water.
If you don’t have water and soap, an alcohol-based sanitiser will do fine. Avoid touching your hands to your face as much as possible.
Apart from that, avoid crowds as the chances of physical contact with infected people may increase. Maintaining such a physical separation from other people is called ‘“physical distancing”. A “safe” distance from people is usually considered to be between three and six feet. Avoid shaking hands. Use Indian greetings, such as a “Namaste” or an “Adab”, to minimize physical contact.
Do I need to wear a mask every time I step out of the home?
Wearing masks does more to protect others against the disease if you have it, rather than protect you from the disease if you come into contact with others who have it. More than that, high demand for masks from individuals deprives those who might need them more, such as healthcare workers. So, if you suspect you have a respiratory ailment, do wear a mask. If you feel OK
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In the wake of the present global pandemic, there has been a rapid proliferation of misinformation and rumours related to coronavirus infection and disease, particularly via social media. We requested Gautam Menon, Professor of Physics and Biology at Ashoka University, Sonipat and Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, to answer some of the most common questions being asked about the virus and clear up some misconceptions.What is the coronavirus (COVID-19) and why are people worried about it?
The disease is called COVID-19 (Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019) and the virus that causes it is a type of virus called the coronavirus. It is so named because it bears a set of spikes that resembles a crown (“corona” means crown in Latin).
A number of viruses cause diseases in humans. These include diseases such as polio, measles, influenza (the “flu”) and the common cold. For some of these diseases, vaccines exist. Some of these vaccines, not all, are part of the immunisation schedule of injections you take when you are young. There is a vaccine for the flu which you can choose to take when older, but which needs to be taken every year to provide protection. These immunisations ensure that your immune system can recognise and fight the virus when it enters your body.
The problem comes when the body encounters a virus that it has simply not seen before. This is usually the case with viruses that circulate in animals or birds, for example, pigs, chickens and bats, under normal circumstances. Occasionally, these viruses can “spill-over” into humans, causing novel diseases. COVID-19 is one such disease. The virus for it is believed to have originated in bats.
People are worried about COVID-19 for a number of reasons. First, it is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person. Second, for a small number of people infected with the disease, it can be fatal. Third, we have no natural immunity to it, there are no vaccines against it, and there are no medicines we can take for it, as of now.
What do we know about how the disease affects people and how does the infection spread?
Most people have mild symptoms somewhat like those of the flu. Most often, these include a (high) fever, a dry cough and exhaustion. In some cases, body aches, shortness of breath, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, headache, chills and occasionally diarrhoea may also be present. The disease appears to affect older people more than it does younger ones. Those aged between 0 and 9 are much less affected. The disease has a stronger effect in those with some pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or suppressed immunity. More serious consequences of the disease, which includes pneumonia, are seen in about 1 in 5 patients.
The disease spreads largely through droplets that are emitted when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. These droplets can linger on surfaces and then reach your lungs when you touch these surfaces and then touch your mouth or face.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself and others from getting it?
Yes, indeed. The virus is transmitted through the respiratory route, i.e. through small droplets that are expelled when someone sneezes or coughs. These droplets can hang on to surfaces, such as the surface of someone’s hand or doorknobs or rails i.e. anywhere where people tend to touch. From there, little droplets carrying the virus can be transferred to your mouth and lungs. The solution? Wash your hands carefully to prevent the transfer of virus; for this follow the excellent videos that are available on Youtube (e.g. this one) that demonstrate the techniques that drs and nurses use to wash their hands. If you wash the part of the tap you touch with soap and water before you wash your hands, you can open and close the tap at will to conserve water.
If you don’t have water and soap, an alcohol-based sanitiser will do fine. Avoid touching your hands to your face as much as possible.
Apart from that, avoid crowds as the chances of physical contact with infected people may increase. Maintaining such a physical separation from other people is called ‘“physical distancing”. A “safe” distance from people is usually considered to be between three and six feet. Avoid shaking hands. Use Indian greetings, such as a “Namaste” or an “Adab”, to minimize physical contact.
Do I need to wear a mask every time I step out of the home?
Wearing masks does more to protect others against the disease if you have it, rather than protect you from the disease if you come into contact with others who have it. More than that, high demand for masks from individuals deprives those who might need them more, such as healthcare workers. So, if you suspect you have a respiratory ailment, do wear a mask. If you feel OK, don’t