Coronavirus: A battle we need to fight together, and win


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Dr Joylene D'Almeida 

Mangaluru, Mar 29: As I sit down to write this article, WHO reports more than 5 lac people being infected by the deadly coronavirus. To put things into perspective, Mangaluru's population is 4.8 lac. Therefore, imagine this beloved city of ours being brought down to its knees and almost 1 in every 10 people you know could be dead by the time you are done reading this article. This is not yet the case here, but it did play at some scale in Italy, where an entire generation has been virtually wiped out in certain parts of the country.

An enemy less understood will never be defeated. Let us try understanding the virus. COVID-19 is a mutation of the SARS virus. The origin of this virus is pinned down to China. While there are umpteen debates on how this virus came about, this was a time bound situation and was going to happen sooner than later. What is however clearly exposed is how the world is grossly unprepared to take on a literal global catastrophe. Even the most powerful nation/kingdom to have ever existed, the United States, is finding it difficult to grapple with this situation. So let’s clear the clutter, which are the forwards and tabloid news on the virus, and learn the basics. Frankly speaking, as laymen what is expected of us is only basics at the most.


Infection rate of COVID-19 compared to other major outbreaks

Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has a mortality rate of 3% to 4% for every 100 infected people. While this is still a big number, it pales in comparison to the SARS virus of early 2000s which had a mortality rate of almost 30%. But what makes COVID-19 especially dangerous is that it is two times more infectious than SARS. In fact it is the most infectious pandemic in recent history barring HIV. Therefore, higher number of people will be infected, in which case 3% of a large number makes it more dangerous than SARS. SARS killed almost 18,000 people in 2004, COVID-19 in the four months since the world first came to know of it has killed more than 25,000. This is primarily due to the sheer volume of infected people.


The virus, although highly contagious, has relatively low mortality rates especially for people under 60. The key message is that there is no need to panic.

Therefore, the key here is the infection itself. Most, if not all of us, will survive the COVID-19 infection, but the most vulnerable, the old, pre-condition people and children will have lasting damages to their organs if not death. Hence, it is very important to break this chain of infection. Firstly, the simplest way is by reducing human contact or social distancing as we call it now. One has to just sit at home to do this. Secondly, remember not to touch your face or any other orifice of your body with your hands without washing them thoroughly with soap and water or a sanitizer. Thirdly, a pre-emptive in this fight against COVID-19, is identifying the vulnerable in your household and making sure any contact with them takes place only after you take the necessary precautions. Parents, look at your children, and children, look at your aging parents; these faces will become just numbers in the next WHO report if we take this lightly during the coming 21 days which are crucial as we might see the peak of this pandemic in India.


Social distancing extremely critical to stop the spread of coronavirus

Fear is important, it keeps us alive. But panic is not fear, it is an extension of conceding defeat. And in doing so we are doing the one thing we shouldn’t be doing - increasing the chances of infection. You might not even realize if you are the carrier of the virus as most will suffer mildly or not even show symptoms. But one touch to your child or old parent might spell doom to them.


It is important to slow down the spread through simple measures such as social distancing, hand washing as covered in the article (flatten the curve).

It is very important that we not only defeat this pandemic, but we do it fast. The number of people infected and dead is a function of time. This time has already created a havoc to the world economy. We are numb to this grim situation currently as we are occupied with the virus. Once we overcome this we will be facing an economic situation of the order never seen in living memory for most of us. This can only be undone and quickly if the damage done in the first place is also less, which again is possible if we spend less time fighting this virus. It boils down to following local authority directives and breaking the chain of infection. One small action from you can have such long lasting effects for generations to come. Use technology, digital payments, community task forces under the supervision of the local authorities to handle transfer of essential goods and services. Be proactive in fighting this and not in spreading the infection. Finally, be human, be kind. In times of of crisis we only think of our near and dear ones, but every time we ask someone to do something for us, such as a delivery or keeping a shop open for long, we are asking someone else to risk their lives for choices we have made. Remember that healthcare workers, policemen, housemaids, taxi drivers, shop keepers are taking risks and making these sacrifices on a daily basis. Be intelligent and true to the name of the most literate district in the state.

Let us make this a fight that we all not only win but also fight together.


Dr Joylene D'Almeida is a consultant gynecologist and surgeon with a special interest in preventive gynaec medicine.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Co-Authors: Allen D'Almeida, ex Oracle, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
                    Abhinav Tripathi, ex McKinsey, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Dr.Sr.Severine Menezes SAP, Belur, Hassan/Bangalore

    Mon, Mar 30 2020

    Congratulations dear Dr.Joylene. Very informative article. God bless you

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  • namratha dsilva, Mangalore/ mumbai

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Superbly written and very well comprehended in laymen terms !! Great job to the authors

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  • Lloyd Cardoza, Belvai

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Very informative post Dr Joylene D’Almeida & co-authors Allen and Abhinav.
    Thank you and continue to guide all of us during this unprecedented times with your expertise and knowledge.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Melita, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Thank you Dr Joylene for enlightening us with statistical inputs on the corona virus.
    Hope articles like these will motivate people to be more than careful in the coming days. Compliments to the co-authors Allen and Abhinav.
    Melita Fernandes.

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  • Lovely Nazareth, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Nice article madam. Congratulations

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sr Lily Fernandes, Mysuru

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Very informative article Dr Joylene. Thank you!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prathika, Manglore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Beautifully described about the Corona virus very good information dear mam .... Heartly congratulations for your wonderful deeds

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  • Evans C. Sumitra, Udupi/ New York, USA.

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Kudos to Dr. Joylene D'Almeida. I have no word to express on your article. You have knowledge on this COVID-19 beyond one's imagine and this will of great help to all readers. I am so impressed on the topic which says 'Fight Together and win'. That should be the motto as the whole world is fighting to eradicate coronavirus before more damage is done.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Dr. Joylene,
    Thanks for your earlier reply!
    Considering that it's nearing end stage 3 also why the mortality nos till date are so low in the most populous & unhygeinic country ranking 105 in the global hunger list, 24 crore people living under the 1$ per day income bracket? I, personally, assume that our genetic predisposition is very powerful or the virus strain has become weak, or we have already achieved "herd immunity"??

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  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Good and valuable information and advice from qualified person.
    Thank you Dr. Joylene D' Almeida

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manoj, Kavoor

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Good one Dr Joylene.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dan M, Dubai / Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Jesus on virus is a combination of sars plus hiv & prayer

    Message to John Leary

    Monday, March 23, 2020:
    Jesus said: “My people, this swirling black movement is again a sign of the coming Warning. You are looking down into the black pit of hell that is being shielded from your eyes. It is out of the pit of hell that the demons enabled the Chinese scientists to make this evil virus that is now replicating all over the world. It is causing sickness and death all over. You will see a lull in the summer, but this virus will be even deadlier in the fall. Remember not to take any flu vaccine because it will only lower your immune system for other illnesses. Refuse to take any chip in the body as well. This is a time when you will have to trust in Me that I can heal infected people if they call on Me in faith. Swallow some holy water, and take your Hawthorn pills and elderberry extract. Keep praying that this epidemic will subside and people will be healed.”

    Jesus said: “My son, you are seeing evil people who are making these bioweapon viruses in China. You had heard someone tell you of several different strains of the current covid-19 virus. You also have read that this virus is a combination of SARS and HIV. You remember that when HIV was created in the lab, it had several strains depending on which animal was used. The HIV was crossed over into humans, and it had various indications of being made in the lab. There are different strains of corona virus depending on which mixture of HIV strains were combined with SARS. All of these viruses are deadly when they are weaponized for biological warfare. This is why people with compromised immune systems are more liable to die from this corona virus. This is why in America you are trying to protect your elderly people from getting this virus because they could die from it. Keep praying for your people to protect themselves by building up their immune systems, and pray that this virus will soon dissipate in the warmer weather.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Conrad Nazareth, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Well written article with stats, very informative to the general public, well done Dr. Almeida & the co authors Allen & Abhinav.
    Conrad

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  • Dan M, Dubai / Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Jesus on why recovery in china ?

    Message to John Leary.

    Friday, March 20, 2020:
    ...
    Jesus said: “My people, you have read before that China is using biological warfare to bring down America and other nations so they can take over the world financially. They purposely let many people die in one part of China so it would spread all over the world. They also have a treatment for prevention and to cure this virus. This is why there has not been many more cases or deaths, and their people are returning to their factories. Your country is in a deep recession to try and slow the spread of the corona virus. The best solution to this epidemic is to find some cures for the people who are seriously sick, and even some way to prevent people from being infected. Your medical people are working on some cures that have seen some promise. If you find such a cure and it is safe, then it would be best to implement it right away so your people can get back to work. Your people are learning that you cannot trust China, and you are better to bring your manufacturing back to your own country, especially your medicines and any secret technical devices. Pray that your medical people can solve this corona virus problem. Pray that your Masses can be restored as well. The longer you do not start using your medicines that work, the longer your people will suffer quarantine and economic hardship.”

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  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Doc, a very concise & informative article, thanks for the same; I have a few queries on Covid19 cited below:

    Why is nobody talking of "fomites" i.e. infection by touching objects; SARS of 2002, fomites was a big contributor!
    Why is the same virus behaving so rabidly in Italy, Spain; and now USA & UK in the whole world?
    How was China, being #55 in the GHS able to manage & get rid of it whilst USA & UK are struggling even though they are at #1 & #2 in the GHS?
    Can we extrapolate Italy & Spain's actions/figures to us considering our genetic predisposition, our environment, our demography, our exposure (hygiene hypothesis) etc?
    Considering the huge waves of fully exposed humanity in clusters waiting at various borders to reach their respective homes, what could be the repercussions?
    Considering malnourishment among the poor, in the near future, due to obvious reasons what could be the repercussions?
    Looking forward eagerly to your views!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Joylene DAlmeia, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Thank you for taking time and for your valuable feedback. Much appreciated.

    In answer to your queries

    1. Fomite is a contributor in corona too. The transmission via aerosol is for a Few hours and on objects it stays for days.

    2. The rabid virology could have to do with a number of factors like gene mutations , climate and the fact that the majority of the population in these countries were elderly and immunological less competent.

    3. We can and it’s being done as we chat. That data is what is being used to bring about policies like social Isolation, lockdowns etc

    4. Having people accumulate in clusters could have repercussions like an exaggerated stage 3 and and accelerated stage 4 -
    Hence the emphasis on social distancing

    5. Nourishment and immunity go hand in hand. And rightly expected the implications in less adequately nourished could be for the worse. However these are things that can only be build up long term and not in a day.

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  • Fr Felix Monteiro, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    CONGRATULATIONS and thank you Dr Joylene D'Almeida for your scientific and informative article on COVID-19...Your article came at the need of the hour. It will be a great help at this juncture to fight the COVID-19 battle together. You can also translate it in local languages so that many more will benefit. Thank you for your concern towards the society..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • H. Almeida., Bendur/Andheri

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    This article clearly gives information to any layperson, about controlling this rabid pandemic.... Kindly share this with many of your friends, acquaintances and widely across social media....

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Good information on why social distancing is a must. Hope everyone understand the consequences.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Boniface D'Souza, Moodubelle/Bangalore

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    An excellent n elaborate write up on COVID-19. I congratulate Dr. .Joylene D' Almeida the author of the article n co-authors for their efforts in educating the public at large.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Dnyaneshwar, Latur, Maharashtra

    Sun, Mar 29 2020

    Good article

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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