CORONA- Kya KareNA

I am sure you all have become very familiar with this term CORONA. You might be reading it once more, but that’s okay with me. This is a short, simple guide on how to keep ourselves saved these days.

There are so many people talking/educating about this to the extent that people are now not able to distinguish between hoax and fact. Let us try and know what we are supposed to do and what not. 

What is CORONA? 

CORONA is a family of VIRUSES. Yes, there are multiple viruses that share similar features, and for this reason, they are categorized under the common name CORONA. There are multiple variants of this virus, and the latest one to cause disease COVID-19 is SARS-CoV2, which is a striking major imbalance in our global stature.  

How does this spread? 

For this virus to sustain, it needs the human body. That does not mean it cannot survive outside of the human body. It can! When a person infected coughs or sneezes or talks from within a range of 6 feet, the droplets from his mouth get airborne, and the person breathing the same air gets infected as well. 

Does that mean if you talk to a person keeping more than 6 feet distance, you will not get infected? The answer is no! The reason is, this type of virus can stay alive outside the human body for a varied amount of time, depending on the surface it lands on. 

According to an article published on BBC, it is still unclear exactly how long Covid-19 can survive outside the human body. However, a recent study done by virologists at the US National Institute of Health has published an article in “New England journal of medicine,” stating the virus could survive in droplets for up to 3 hours after being coughed in the air. 

NIH study also found that this virus can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces. The best way to get rid of the virus is to disinfect the mentioned surfaces frequently. 

What precautions to take? 

1. Wash your hands as often as you can. Wash them before you have your meal; after the meal; 
2. Do not touch your nose/ears/eyes/mouth. 
3. While in public, please use masks to prevent you from breathing contaminated air. Use handkerchief/tissue while coughing/sneezing and discard the same immediately. 
4. Avoid human contact. Because we do not know who is acting as a carrier and who is infected. (It is not necessary that everyone carrying the virus must be infected, few can act as carriers as well). 
5. Avoid social gatherings, stay in a place where you feel safe. There is no place safer than your home.
6. Avoid eating in public places (Street food / Restaurants / Take away)
7. Thoroughly wash every vegetable and fruit in warm water before consuming it. 
8. Avoid visiting the hospital unless it is an emergency. 
9. Please take medical assistance when you feel uneasy. Nothing is more harmful than Self-medication.

What NOT to do?

Well, this is the most important part of all of us as this is more dangerous than the virus itself. 

1. DO NOT forward anything and everything that is received on your phone. Please think before forwarding anything. 
2. DO NOT believe everything you see/read/hear. Questioning the authenticity is a must in scenarios like this. 
3. AVOID public outing. You are asked to quarantine yourself for a specific reason, which is for your wellbeing. If not yourself, please think of your family and stay safe for their sake, they need you.
4. The quarantine period is not a holiday period. God knows what you are going through; he will understand if you do not visit him for the time being. (Avoid going to any temple) DO NOT stop praying. Resorts and other places will remain where they are even after this phase. Please remember, you can always visit them. 
5. DO NOT hoard things. If you want infection not to spread, please be mindful of others as well. ONLY when everyone is taking precautions can we successfully stop the spread of viruses. 
6. The government will never stop the supply of essentials. Please DO NOT hoard them for months together. Leave some for others and do your bit to sustain the failing economy. 

Finally, guys we are not asked to be part of any war, we are just asked to stay at home and be thankful for technology, we have internet, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, YouTube and whatnot. 

Keep disinfecting and stay healthy. 

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Featured Image Credits: Wikimedia