The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down in so many ways. From lockdowns, social distancing to working from home, our daily routines have been completely overhauled.
Now people are beginning to ask an important question – are these changes temporary? Or will they be a permanent part of our lives from now onwards?
We have read news reports of healthcare workers working 24*7 to battle COVID-19 at great risk to their lives. Some of them are staying in temporary hostels, away from their families, and doing their job.
But can they continue to work in a state of high alert forever? That too, while putting themselves in danger. The stress due to COVID-19 on our healthcare system needs to come down.
Moreover, consider the present situation in the world, the summer Olympics, IPL, major trade conventions to India’s economy – everything has come to a halt due to COVID-19. While no one can say for certain when things will go back to normal or if they even will, one thing is certain.
Our lives after the lockdown will no longer be the same. There will be radical changes in how we work, commute, socialize and communicate.
This is a must to ensure COVID-19 is contained for our good.
Planning to shake hands? Think again. Immediately after COVID-19 struck, there were visuals of world leaders ditching the handshake and using the ‘Namaste’ greeting. The Namaste is a form of greeting used in India that does not involve contact with the other person, unlike a handshake.
With social distancing being encouraged, we will see more and more people ditching the handshake because of the risk a handshake carries in a post-COVID-19 world.
With schools and colleges being shut, there is a lot of interest in online classes. Teachers across the world are using the power of the internet to deliver educational content to a student’s house.
Real-time online classes are being held on apps like Zoom that have ensured that the absence of a physical classroom does not stop the learning of students. This could signal a change in the way students learn in a school after the pandemic ends.
Are you washing your hands frequently? One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is to maintain very high standards of personal hygiene. People are now understanding how simple acts like washing hands with soap and water may save their lives.
Before the pandemic started, many of us treated hand washing very casually, but that has changed completely in the past few months and this change is something that is going to stay for a long time to come.
In India, it is common to see spit stains on government buildings, railway stations and roads. While the government tried to spread awareness by putting up posters and even imposing fines, no one cared.
But now that everyone has to wear masks in public places and maintain personal hygiene, spitting could be a thing of the past.
Three to four weeks into the lockdown, environmentalists across the world noticed something strange – the ozone layer was healing itself. Not just that, air quality in cities like Delhi and Mumbai has improved drastically during the lockdown.
What this tells us is that nature can heal quickly if we give it a little space and time. This will put into perspective how we have taken nature for a ride all these years and encourage people to do more for the environment and enjoy the advantages of a greener earth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us closer than ever before. Everyone is united in efforts to contain the virus. We have realized that if we don’t prepare ourselves well, then we can lose what we have now.
This thought that we may lose it if we are not careful has made us more appreciative of the present and thankful for what we have.
While we may be in lockdown at present, we should prepare ourselves mentally for the changes going to take place post-COVID-19. This will help us adapt and emerge as stronger individuals.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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But since we do not have an endless supply of medical essentials, there will be no way to ensure that each sick person gets the treatment he/she needs. The healthcare system will collapse under the burden of the sick.This is the worst-case scenario and unless the curve is flattened, we are headed towards a healthcare crisis from which we may never recover. The death toll too will spike in such a scenario.
3 months ago, we were not even familiar with the expression ‘social distancing’. But then the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across the world infecting hundreds of thousands of people. With the rising cases in India, we too have been urged to stay home and practice social distancing.
So, what is social distancing and how does it work? Read on to find out.
Social distancing means keeping a minimum distance of 5-6 feet between you and other people outside your home. This means no group gatherings and staying away from crowded places. It limits your exposure to the virus and keeps your family safe.
Remember to step out alone to buy groceries and other essentials. Avoid taking other family members or anyone else with you. The government has instructed shop owners to ensure that social distancing is followed by all shoppers.
So, let us understand why coronavirus is so dangerous and why we need social distancing.
Coronavirus is deadly, we already know that from the staggering death toll from across the globe. But, what is even more alarming is the speed at which it spreads.
According to the observations of WHO that tracked the pattern of the transmission across the world, the first 1 Lakh people were infected in 67 days. The next 1 Lakh were infected in 12 days. The virus took only 4 days to infect another 1 Lakh people and finally in just 2 days 1 Lakh new people contracted the virus.
This is called an exponential rise. Like wildfire, it has consumed Europe and the USA and these countries seem to be at a loss about how to prevent the spread of the virus even further.
And the same pattern is beginning to emerge in India. By March 30th, the number of infected patients escalated by 10 times in just 15 days.
To prepare for future pandemics caused by various pathogens, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of national social distancing not only on the spread of COVID-19, but also on the transmission of various infectious diseases like influenza, and infections by adenovirus and rhinovirus.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj , M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Medical experts in India knew that unless the exponential spread of the disease is stopped, healthcare services in India would be overwhelmed. In a country with a huge population, the situation can become graver than in Europe.
So, what could India do to stop transmission?
While testing and contact tracing are the domains of experts, all the public needs to do is practice social distancing.
From midnight of March 24th, a complete lockdown for 21 days was imposed on India to make social distancing more effective. On 14th April, the prime minister further extended the lockdown till 3rd May. Both the Central government and state governments have requested the people of the country to minimize person-to-person contact or contact with the outside world.
Apart from social distancing, vaccination against COVID-19 is very important as getting vaccinated could save your life. COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives since their introduction and provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj , M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
This move can be backed by research conducted in Australia that found that social distancing should be applied as early as possible before the virus starts spreading fast. The longer the country takes to declare social distancing, the more time the virus has to transmit itself aggressively.
This is where Europe went wrong. They acted when it was too late and that is why today they are unable to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Furthermore, research by the Indian Council of Medical Research has found that social distancing can reduce the spread of coronavirus by as much as 62%!
Another study by COVID-19 concluded that without social distancing, the number of infected people could reach 13 Lakh by the middle of May.
Covid 19 mainly spreads airborne by droplets. The droplets from coughing or sneezing can travel upto 3 feet when protective masks are worn and without them they can travel 22 ft in a closed environment. Hence social distancing along with masking is necessary to prevent the spread of covid 19.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka,MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
Social distancing is an absolute necessity at this hour.
The ICMR found that temperature checks that were imposed at airports before the blanket ban on travel might not have been sufficient. Many people who came in from abroad had the virus in their bodies but they had not experienced fever yet. The virus could have been in the incubation phase in these people. Nearly 46% of infected people might have been missed due to this.
The ICMR also said it might take the next few months for the COVID-19 to truly manifest itself. We will not know the full extent of the spread of this infection until then. These months are crucial and without preventive measures, we too could end up like Europe and the USA.
India ranks 57th in a list of 195 countries in terms of how prepared a country is for a pandemic. So, we are not very well equipped to handle a health crisis of this proportion. Social distancing will ensure that we don’t get to the serious stages of this COVID-19.
Now you know why social distancing is so vital in the fight against coronavirus and we all have to do our part to win this battle. Stay home, and resist the temptation of going out. Use social media and your smartphone to stay in touch with friends and family. The crisis will pass only if everyone cooperates.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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3. In China, the most polluted country in the world, the air pollution level has dropped by 25%. According to research by Stanford University, this could save the lives of 4000 children under the age of 5 and 73,000 adults over the age of 70. 4. The international lens is on the illegal marketing of wildlife. It is believed that COVID-19 originated from a market where wildlife is sold and slaughtered. Wildlife conservationists are urging governments of all countries to take firm action against the poaching of wild animals and wildlife consumption.
3. Nearly 4.75 Lakh (the highest number in many years) Olive Ridley turtles have made their nests in the Rushikulya beach of Odisha due to empty beaches.The world has changed and we don’t know when this crisis will pass. All we can do is cooperate with our governments and actively practise social distancing to stay safe.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
India has responded dutifully to the PM’s call of a national lockdown to defeat COVID-19. By now, we are all staying in our homes and practicing social distancing.
But have you eliminated all risks of contracting COVID-19? Although we are washing our hands thoroughly after we come in from outside, do we also have to clean and disinfect everything that comes in from outside like groceries? The answer is Yes!
Read on to understand the importance of disinfecting and how to do it.
A kind of virus causes COVID-19.
Viruses, as you may know, can only grow and multiply inside a living host. But the bad news is, they can remain alive for anything between a couple of hours to a few days on different kinds of non-living things.
This means you can bring the virus to your home through the things you purchase.
It is not necessary to sanitize the outside of food packaging. While there is some evidence that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, the risk from handling food packing is very low and there is no evidence that the illness can be transmitted in this way, washing the fruits and vegetables with copious amounts of water is highly recommended even without Covid as they might still be treated with pesticides and ripening agents.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
According to CDC plain water wash or scrub fruits and vegetables under running water—even if you do not plan to eat the peel. Germs on the peel or skin can get inside fruits and vegetables when you cut them. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash is not recommended.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
These are times when we can’t leave anything to chance. We must be fanatic about keeping ourselves and everything around us disinfected. This measure is as important as social distancing. Stay home, stay safe and maintain personal hygiene.
You can now assess yourself and your loved ones for Coronavirus risk at home with PharmEasy’s AI-Powered Bot – Covid Assist. Click below.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The Coronavirus spread is claiming more lives each day. The healthcare systems across the world are failing to effectively control the situation! You surely must be hearing and reading this in the news every day through news channels, newspapers and social media. Naturally, due to all this, the overwhelming emotion we feel right now is fear & anxiety.
However, don’t let these negative emotions overpower you! Let us understand our emotions better so that we are safe from the mental threat that COVID-19 poses.
India is going through a 21-day lockdown. We have all been advised to stay within our homes. We should only go out when necessary, for example, to purchase food supplies. This way, we will not risk being exposed to the virus and won’t pass it on to others either. To break the chain of transmission, lockdown and social distancing are of utmost importance.
Lockdown means you can’t go out to work, to meet friends and loved ones, to the movies, to dinners at restaurants and everything that we love doing. Initially, it might seem to be very restful. After all, don’t we all complain about not being able to spend time with our families and catching up on sleep?
But after a few days, lockdown can become tedious and you will begin to feel like a prisoner in your own home.
Keep yourself busy and draw up a packed schedule for yourself. You might be working from home. In your spare time, do some household chores such as cleaning, cooking, etc.
Let the calming effect of music and reading push out feelings of fear and confusion. And what better opportunity to binge-watch your favourite shows on the internet?
Remember your old hobby? Time to bring it back. Be it painting, strumming on the guitar, writing poems, sewing or gardening, you can pass many happy hours with your hobby and beat stress.
Follow a healthy diet. Fresh meals keep us happy and content. Drink plenty of fluids- water and juices, to keep yourself hydrated and your body working properly.
You must exercise every day. Simple home cardio exercises can keep you fit and promote the production of happiness hormones like endorphins to keep you cheerful.
If necessary, share your food and essentials with your neighbours. Sharing makes you feel good about yourself. And you will also be doing a great service to society.
If you have come down with COVID-19, you may feel stressed because-
Be prepared for the possibility that the pandemic might trigger psychological problems in people you love. Watch out for these symptoms-
Extend your full support to your loved ones if they have a mental health problem.
People who had already been diagnosed with psychological issues may suffer a new set of challenges such as-
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed us. We don’t know when it will blow over. Yes, these are difficult times. But remember, you are not alone. The whole world is in it together.
Keep your spirits up, because a cheerful and optimistic outlook can be the light that guides us through this dark tunnel.
You can now assess yourself and your loved ones for Coronavirus risk at home with PharmEasy’s AI-Powered Bot – Covid Assist. Click below.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/AdvisoryforElderlyPopulation.pdf Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
At such times when we’re fighting against a global pandemic, it’s natural to panic and get extra worried about yourself and your loved ones’ well-being!
Ever since COVID-19 began to spread to the people in India, we have been advised to stay at home to implement social distancing. We appreciate that you are staying at home and would be honored to serve you at such a time!
It is perfectly understandable that during these uncertain times, we do not know what the future holds and we try to stock up on medicines and health supplies. But we want to urge you not to panic. That being said, we are racing against time and with limited manpower to ensure you get delivery on time.
Due to the high demand, PharmEasy’s order flow right now is at an all-time high. The demand for different kinds of medicines and healthcare supplements has gone through the roof. And we understand the gravity of the situation.
That is why at PharmEasy, we are working around the clock with all hands on deck. We are processing your orders as quickly as possible. Every single order is a high priority for us and the well-being of every customer is of utmost importance to us. Be rest assured, the safety of our delivery partners is being taken care of!
We are committed to delivering your medicines at home in such trying times! However, your safety is important. So for better protection, we are introducing contactless delivery.
Contactless delivery helps you and our delivery executive, both to stay protected by minimizing contact.
How it works
We want to make sure we’re there for you when you need us the most. So, we are doing everything possible to ensure that your orders reach your doorstep on time.
We will get back to you in the event of any delay. Have patience and bear with us in these trying circumstances.
Remember to stay home and let the lockdown be a success so that we can together defeat COVID-19. Do not go out unless it is urgent. Stay safe by implementing social distancing.
You can always count on us to serve you happily!
You can now assess yourself and your loved ones for Coronavirus risk at home with PharmEasy’s AI-Powered Bot – Covid Assist. Click below.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
