ARTICLES ON Pandemic

The novel coronavirus is not thought to be transmissible via food, but it can stay on surfaces for several days, on fruits, vegetables including packaging material for foods. It is thus necessary to take extra care and other precautionary measures while going grocery or vegetable shopping and storing them at home. Food safety and handling is of utmost importance right now. There are a number of people resorting to practices such as washing the grocery and fresh product. 1. Before washing product, wash your hands The importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of Covid-19 cannot be emphasised enough. Even when you are going to rinse vegetables, you must ensure that your hands are clean. Wash them for at least 20 seconds prior to cleaning fruit and vegetable product. It is a good idea to wash them afterwards too. 2. Rinse your product well in running water All the fruits and vegetable product that is purchased from the market can be rinsed in running water, followed by rubbing with hands. This is all that is needed to clean a majority of vegetables. Rinse product BEFORE you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetables 3. Do not use soap or any detergent The FDA says it is a complete myth that soap, detergent or any special liquid is required to clean product. Gently rub product while holding under plain running water. There’s no need to use soap or a product wash. If damage or bruising occurs before eating or handling, it is best to cut away the damaged areas before preparing or eating. 4. Use a brush or sponge if necessary While cleaning root vegetables like potatoes or carrots, a vegetable brush or sponge should be used to ensure all dirt is removed. 5. Certain vegetables and fruits require extra care Berries require extra attention during the cleaning process. Place them in a colander and rinse them under running water to remove pathogens. Similarly, lettuce and leafy greens should be placed in a bowl of cold water. Further, make sure that pre-cut items, such as bags of lettuce or watermelon slices, are either refrigerated, or kept on ice, both in the store and at home. The FSSAI also tweeted with some recommendations for food safety.  6. Handling your grocery items : 1. Groceries must be washed copiously with water. Anything that you bring from outside has to be considered to be potentially infected. 2. Before washing groceries, do wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. 4. Make sure that you discard the container of groceries in a closed dustbin. This should be done after washing your hands. After having discarded the container, wash your hands again. 5. Wash your hands before and after cooking vegetables It is a good idea to cook your food thoroughly before consuming. 6.Keep the raw and cooked food separate, especially raw meat and fresh product.

Amidst the pandemic of the corona virus outbreak one of the strongest recommendations advised by all the governments in the world whether it be uk, usa, and india is the practice of social distancing……in other words stay at home and be safe. Social distancing now is one of the greatest calls for humanity in these critical times. In this way countries are not only using this is as a preventive measure for getting the prevention  but also reducing the infection and flattening the curve of infection to community. The lock down as it is being referred to will essentially reduce the viral load, reduce the burden of infected cases for treatment at various healthcare facilities and give time for the country to  become prepared  for any major outbreak. Social Distancing simply refers to avoiding close contact with other individuals in order to avoid catching the virus yourself and to avoid passing it on. According to the World Health Organization, you must maintain at least one metre or three feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing for corona virus prevention. This needs to be done because whenever someone coughs or sneezes, they spray tiny liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. As we all know by now the coronavirus is not airborne. It is spread via respiratory droplets that might end up on your hands if they are coughed on or you touch surfaces that have been coughed on. If you are too close, then you are likely to breath in the droplets, including COVID-19 virus if the person who coughs near you has the disease. Also the virus rapid spread is likely due to the movements of people with no or very mild symptoms namely, those who are unaware that they even have the virus. So if movement of people in large numbers is reduced then it brings down the risk of community spread not only in the young   but mainly in the elderly as well. That is why social distancing is such an important containment measure in this rapid spreading contagious disease. Factors that determine social spreads is how susceptible people are to infection, the number of contacts between people, and the duration of those contacts. Many cities have encouraged social distancing by banning large gatherings, encouraging telecommuting and closing schools. Governments have also advised avoiding crowded public transportation if possible. Social activities are now discouraged through out globally. Warning have been given of the norm to younger people who can becomes infected can spread the virus to an older person or someone who are immune-compromised  due to age. If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home and infected person isolated for at least 14 days. India thus far has been successful in curtailing the community spread of the virus with the lockdown. Everyone should stay at home except for certain essential activities, such as grocery shopping or to seek medical care, or to perform work for essential businesses, government agencies, or public infrastructure construction. Our doctors and health care system are on the front trying to save lives by this  process we reduce the burden of infected cases. A rapid escalation of infection can overwhelms our health care systems. “Flattening the curve” means dampening down that peak by reducing how fast the virus moves through the population. A slower spread means that on any given day, fewer people will need critical care for severe illness. Social distancing can also effectively extend to environmental precautions such as disinfecting often-touched surfaces that may pass on the virus. The best way to slow the spread is through public health measures that encourage social distancing. People need to understand that this is really, really serious. It’s up to you and me not to get infected and to not infect others. Prevent infection by staying in your house, washing your hands, avoiding people who are sick. This measure can be life-saving – not necessarily for you if you are 30 years old and healthy, but maybe for your parents, and certainly for your grandparents. YOUR SOCIETY NEEDS U LETS MAKE LIFE WIN..LETS PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING…..

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in India has brought several misconceptions and rumors with it. Myths are spreading faster than the viral infection itself. At this crucial time, it is very important not to panic and information should be consumed from authorized sources only – healthcare providers, medical institutions, government portals, WHO, etc. are the authentic bodies. Myth 1 – Antibiotics can prevent and treat coronavirus infection. Fact – NO, antibiotics cannot treat viral infection. They are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. The Coronavirus strain – 2019-nCoV belongs to a large family of viruses and, therefore antibiotics cannot be the preventive measure. Myth 2 – Coronavirus affects older people only. Fact – People from all age group are susceptible to coronavirus infection. However, older people and people suffering from medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or any heart disease, or with low immunity are more vulnerable to this viral infection. Myth 3 – Regularly rinsing nose with saline can help prevent coronavirus infection. Fact – NO, regularly rinsing nose with water, saline or any chemical can’t prevent coronavirus infection. It may help in getting quick relief from the common cold and prevent other respiratory infections. Myth 4 – Putting on sesame oil on skin kills coronavirus or prevents them from entering the body? Fact – Sesame oil can’t kill or prevent coronavirus. Few chemicals that do kill COVID-19 on surfaces include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, ether solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid, and chloroform. Myth 5 – Eating garlic help prevent infection of COVID-19 coronavirus. Fact – Garlic is healthy food and is loaded with antimicrobial properties but, it has no such antiviral effects which can cure coronavirus infection. Myth 6 – The pneumonia vaccine can prevent coronavirus infection. Fact – NO, the vaccine used for pneumonia does not provide any protection against the coronavirus infection. COVID-19 is a new virus and researchers are trying to develop an effective vaccination for the same. But, currently, we have no vaccine for coronavirus. Myth 7 – Applying cow dung or consuming cow urine can cure or prevent coronavirus infection. Fact – Absolutely NO, There is no scientific evidence that cow dung or cow urine can cure COVID-19. Myth 8: You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by swallowing or gargling with bleach, taking acetic acid or steroids, or using essential oils, salt water, ethanol or other substances. Fact :None of these recommendations protects you from getting COVID-19, and some of these practices may be dangerous. The best ways to protect yourself from this coronavirus (and other viruses) include: Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and hot water. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, sneezing or coughing. In addition, you can avoid spreading your own germs by coughing into the crook of your elbow and staying home when you are sick. Myth 9: A face mask will protect you from COVID-19. Fact : Certain models of professional, tight-fitting respirators (such as the N95)can protect health care workers as they care for infected patients . For the general public without respiratory illness, wearing lightweight disposable surgical masks is not recommended. Because they don’t fit tightly, they may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth or eyes. Also, people with the virus on their hands who touch their face under a mask might become infected. Myth 10: COVID-19 is just like the flu Fact :SARS-CoV-2 causes illness that does, indeed, have flu-like symptoms, such as aches, fever, and cough. Similarly, both COVID-19 and flu can be mild, severe, or, in rare cases, fatal. Both can also lead to pneumonia. Myth 11: Everyone with COVID-19 dies Fact :This statement is untrue. As we have mentioned above, COVID-19 is only fatal for a small percentage of people.The WHO also report that around 80% of people will experience a relatively mild form of the disease, which will not require specialist treatment in a hospital.Mild symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, and shortness of breath. Myth 12: Cats and dogs spread coronavirus Fact :Currently, there is little evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect cats and dogs. The real driver of the outbreak is humans.”  “Furthermore, wearing masks can give a false sense of reassurance and might lead to other infection control practices being ignored, e.g., hand hygiene.” The WHO recommend that people who are caring for someone with suspected COVID-19 should wear a mask. In these cases, wearing a mask is only effective if the individual regularly washes their hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Also, when using a mask, it is important to use it and dispose of it properly. Myth 13: SARS-CoV-2 is just a mutated form of the common cold Fact :Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, all of which have spiky proteins on their surface. Some of these viruses use humans as their primary host and cause the common cold. Other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, primarily infect animals only . Myth14: The virus will die off when temperatures rise in the spring Some viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, do spread more easily in the colder months, but that does not mean that they stop entirely when conditions become milder. As it stands, scientists do not know how temperature changes will influence the behavior of SARS-CoV-2. Myth 15: Coronavirus is the deadliest virus known to man Although SARS-CoV-2 does appear to be more serious than influenza, it is not the deadliest virus that people have faced. Others, such as Ebola, have higher mortality rates. Myth 16: Flu and pneumonia vaccines protect against COVID-19 As SARS-CoV-2 is different than other viruses, no existing vaccines protect against infection.

Hand washing is necessary before and after certain activities: Washing hands technique for maintaining hand hygiene: Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of viruses like Corona Virus Follow these five steps every time. If water is not available use sanitizer: Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water using hand sanitizer You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label. Hand Sanitizer: Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However, How to use hand sanitizer

The country has registered 6,803 swine-flu cases so far in 2018. Last year, 2,270 people had died due to the H1N1 infections So far this year, with Maharashtra alone accounting for almost 50% of the cases followed by Gujarat and Delhi. Role of Oseltamivir in Treatment of Swine Flu: Role of Flu Vaccine in Prevention: Precautionary Measures against Swine Flu: In case there is a breakout of Swine Flu in your area please observe with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, Sudden dizziness, or vomiting or diarrhoea, consult the doctor. In children if there is difficulty in breathing, irritability, bluish discoloration of skin and reduced activity please contact the emergency department at the hospital. For medical management and treatment of Swine flu and its complications please contact Wockhardt Hospital.