.Understanding The Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) And What The Lockdown Means For Us
Health is better than wealth. This cliched proverb assumes even more important now that the novel Corona Virus, also known as COVID-19, has made its presence felt all across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic. Let’s take a look at what that means.
How did the novel coronavirus become a pandemic?
A pandemic is a disease that has a global outbreak or reach and has affected people across the globe. It is no longer confined to a particular country or region but has spread all over the world. The novel coronavirus has managed to do this. At the moment, about 170 countries have been affected by it.If you look at where the virus came from, the facts point to Wuhan, a province in China. Wuhan houses a major wildlife meat market. It is said that the virus got transferred from animals to humans and then spread like wildfire. Infected persons from Wuhan passed it on to others, who then took it back to their own countries. If you are wondering how the novel coronavirus managed to become a pandemic, let’s look at how it spreads. That will answer your question.
COVID-19 is highly contagious. It spreads from people who are infected by it to the people around them when they cough or exhale. When a COVID-19 positive person exhales or coughs, small droplets are released from their nose and mouth. These can be breathed in by people around them, or they land on objects nearby, which can then be transferred to other healthy individuals through touch. This is why you should not touch your face, wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when you sneeze, and practice social distancing.
If you are wondering whether the disease is airborne, as per the WHO, it primarily spreads through contact. However, this is based on the studies conducted so far. It is also important to remember that people with mild symptoms and even people who are asymptomatic can spread COVID-19. For example, someone with no symptoms or just a mild cough may also be carrying the disease, and they are probably at the early stages. The symptoms are not always immediately visible.
Why is lockdown essential?
To stop COVID-19 from spreading further, the Indian Government has imposed a 21-day lockdown. It is hoped that this will help stem its spread and help ‘flatten the curve.’ To flatten the curve means to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and related deaths.
Every country’s healthcare system has a limited capacity, and reducing the number of cases will help avoid a situation where the healthcare system is overwhelmed. Countries such as Italy and Spain, which have an excellent healthcare system, are dealing with a surge in cases, and the situation is morbid. While at the same time, countries such as South Korea, Germany, and China have managed to reduce the number of cases and flatten the curve by taking appropriate measures.
You must comply with the lockdown and the guidelines issued by the Government. A vaccine has not yet been developed, and not contracting the virus is the best remedy available right now. Avoid going out of your house unless it is essential. That means working from home, avoiding social gatherings, and all activities that need you to step outdoors.
Everyone is vulnerable to COVID-19, irrespective of age. Be wary of information that tells you otherwise. There are a number of rumours and fake news doing the round. Make sure that you only rely on information from credible sources. So, for the greater good, follow the lockdown, encourage your loved ones and friends to do so too. Do what you can to cooperate with the Government, police, and health care workers who are doing everything they can to beat this.
While the spread of COVID-19 is reminiscent of the film Contagion, your panic levels do not have to be. Stay at home, do what you can to comply with the lockdown and keep yourself well informed. Panic will not solve anything. Let’s look at how you can make the most of your time at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Things you can do during the COVID-19 lockdown
While complying with the lockdown is essential, staying at home all the time may not be as simple for you. You are used to going out for work, partying with friends, attending events, and this lockdown must have effectively impaired your social life. However, the time that you spend at home does not have to be boring or unproductive. There are several things you can do to make the most of the lockdown, personally.
- Take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. Wash your hands regularly, practise social distancing, and most importantly be well informed.
- Work from home. Coordinate with your peers and colleagues online. Think of it like this; you can be as productive as you were at work while staying at home. A win-win!
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Keep in touch with family and friends with phone calls, video calls, e-mails, social media, and so on.
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This is a great time to pursue your hobbies. If you like to paint, draw, read, make music, do that with all the free time you have. Clean your closets, organize your house and catch up on all your favourite TV shows.
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Check up on your friends and neighbours. See if they are doing alright and whether there is anything you can do to help them, especially if they are elderly.
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Always wanted to get a ripped beach body? Well, now is the time to kickstart your fitness journey with the right diet and home workouts.
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Do what you can to stay optimistic. It can be easy to give in to fear and panic during times like this. As a rule of thumb, avoid unverified information about Covid-19. Only rely on trustworthy sources.
- It is of utmost importance that this crisis is managed before it affects more people. The lockdown is an important step that has been taken by the Government to stop the spread of the disease. All the citizens of this country, including you, are the direct beneficiaries of this step. You must do your part to stop Covid-19 from spreading and stay at home. Follow the above suggestions to make the most of your time at home. Stay healthy and be responsible, and remember that prevention really is better than cure.
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