Let us look at some of the headlines that coronavirus made in the newspapers for the last two months.
- Death Toll in China, the birthplace of this coronavirus raises to 3000 with the number of confirmed cases 80,400.
- Italy has the second-highest number of deaths from Coronavirus, 1016 of 15,113 confirmed cases, after mainland China.
- India Reports 75 cases of Corona Virus and two deaths.
- 40 fatalities in the US due to the Corona Virus of the 1663 confirmed cases.
- France documented 30 deaths and Spain lost 26 peoples as a result of the outbreak of Coronavirus. By contrast, Germany reported 1175 cases with no deaths.
- The death toll in Iran is 514 due to this virus with 11364 cases.
The total number of Corona Virus cases is 140,000 and the total number of deaths 5123 worldwide.
The numbers are changing rapidly every day as cases continue to mount every hour and every day. The most up-to-date information is available from the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Johns Hopkins University.
Effect on the World Economy
The Corona Virus is going global and it could bring the world economy to a standstill . The economic fall out could bring recessions in the US, Europe, and Japan, the slowest growth rate in China, and in a total of 2.7 trillion US$ in lost output equivalent of the entire GDP of the UK.
The share market saw its worst due to this virus. As reports of the virus spreading to other parts increased, Wall Street in New York saw its biggest plunge since 2008. The oil prices crashed and bond yields tumbled. The S&P plunge has its worst day in a decade.
The Indian stock market saw its biggest plunges after reaching the highest point in its entire history on January 20th, 2020. It plunged 1449 points on feb.14, 2020, then 1942 points on 9th March 2020, and then its biggest plunge on 2919 points on 13th March 2020. The investors lost Rs 11 lakh crores in just one day and Rs 31 lakh crores since its all-time high of Jan 20th,2020.
The Pandemic could give a crippling blow to the tourism industry all over the world as restrictions are being imposed on movements of foreigners and tourists. The mega-events and sports events are being canceled by the government all over the places.
Statewide Emergency is being imposed, Schools and colleges are being closed, Events and flights from affected countries are being canceled, Victims are being quarantined and segregated like lepers in different countries in their efforts to contain this epidemic.
It has spread so rapidly and to so many countries that the World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic (a term indicating that it has affected a large population, region, country, or continent).
It is not the Pandemic that surprises me. It is the cruel fact that I am living in the 21st century with no cure or vaccine to this epidemic. The number of deaths continues to amaze me as they mostly come from developed nations where the health and medical services are excellent.
It reminds us of how the epidemic Plague and Malaria used to play havoc on the human population in the pre-20th-century era when there was no vaccine to counter them. We spend billions of dollars in research and development in medicine, yet we cannot get a cure for this disease or even flu which has taken its own toll.
What is Corona Virus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that range from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus(MERS) and Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona
Coronaviruses are circulating in animals and some of these coronaviruses have the capability of transmitting between animals and humans. We call that a spillover event.
COVID-19 is the short form for “Coronavirus disease 2019,” and is the official name given by the World Health Organization to the disease caused by this newly identified coronavirus.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The common symptoms include low-grade fever, nasal congestion, body aches, coughing, running nose, and sore throat. However severe symptoms of COVID-19, high fever, shortness of breath, and severe cough.
The patient takes 3 to 13 days to show the signs of these symptoms.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The COVID – 19 spreads mainly through person to person. It spreads when people are in close contact. It can spread when an infected person by sneezes or coughs so it is a respiratory virus. It can spread if the infected person touches a surface or an object that has a virus on it.
People are said to be contagious when they are symptomatic or at the early stages of illness.
The virus spreads faster in the colder season than in the hotter season.
How deadly is Covid 19?
More people have died due to Influenza than COVID-19, this season. Flu is regarded as a bigger threat than COVID-19. The startling fact is that unlike Flu, where you can get a vaccine to cure it, there is no vaccine or antiviral drugs to cure COVID-19 presently.
Who is at the highest risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?
Older people, and those with underlying problems like medical chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart failure, or diabetes, are more likely to develop seriously. Children, including very young children, can develop COVID-19.
What can you do to protect me and others from COVID-19?
Prevention is better than cure, especially when it is not available. The following actions help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other COVID-19 and influenza:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- If you have respiratory symptoms like coughing or sneezing, experts recommend wearing a mask to protect others.
What can you do to keep my immune system strong?
Your immune system is your body’s defense system. When a harmful invader — like a cold or flu virus, or the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — gets into your body, your immune system mounts an attack. Known as an immune response, this attack is a sequence of events that involves various cells and unfolds over time.
Following general health guidelines is the best step you can take toward keeping your immune system strong and healthy.
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Take a multivitamin if you suspect that you may not be getting all the nutrients you need through your diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Control your stress level.
- Control your blood pressure.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation (no more than one to two drinks a day for men, no more than one a day for women).
- Get enough sleep.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and trying not to touch your hands to your face, since harmful germs can enter through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
What can you do to prepare for a COVID?
For peace of mind, try to plan ahead for a possible outbreak.
For example, if there is an outbreak in your community, you may not be able to get to a store, or stores may be out of supplies, so it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand.
Stay up to date with reliable news resources, such as the website of your local health department. If your town or neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.
Try to stock at least a 30-day supply of any needed prescriptions. If your insurance permits 90-day refills, that’s even better. Make sure you also have over-the-counter medications and other health supplies on hand.
Anurag Dubey
For HBN Naturals,
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