Social Distancing Not Enough, Speed Up Testing

Tuberculosis and Leprosy once used to be most dreadful diseases. In India, patients suffering from these diseases were treated as untouchable. So much so that there were many social stigma attached to these diseases. Family having a TB patient used to be forbidden and no parent would ever dare to marry their daughter in such a family. And about leprosy, less said the better. Still, TB and Leprosy were not as deadly as Coronavirus. So, India need to do much more than largely depend on social distancing to fight coronavirus.

The most deadly aspect of this virus is that there is no medicine (vaccine) available for its treatment and India has very very limited testing or lab facilities. This situation is very alarming. A country with more than 1.30 billion population can't depend on "social distancing" alone in its fight against a contagious virus All medical experts recommend testing on massive scale. The situation is more alarming as hundred of thousands of migrants have swarmed the roads fleeing to their respective villages tearing lockdown to pieces. All of them now need to be quarantined before they reach their home. Some states have stopped them at the border for quarantine. In latest move, union government has asked states to stop migrants at borders and quarantined them.

As of March 25, 144 laboratories have been authorized to test for the virus, 25 of them private facilities. Among them five labs are in Maharashtra, two each in Haryana and Tamil Nadu, and one each in Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka.

However, its like "Cumin in Camel's Mouth- Oont Ke Munh Main Jeera". Testing is essential for identifying people who have been infected and for understanding the true scope of the virus outbreak. America lagged behind and now facing disastrous results.

Though America is the richest nation in the world, yet it did not respond as swiftly as the situation warranted. Red tapism, equipment shortages, an unwillingness to share, and failed leadership doomed the American response to COVID-19. The results are there for all to see. Hampered by limited diagnostic testing capacity, medical facilities ran low on ventilators and protective masks . So, death toll from Covid-19, rose beyond 1,200.

And what's happening in Europe reminiscent us the catastrophic Bubonic plague that killed 60% of Europe’s population in the second half of the 14th century. Europe then lacked testing facilities.

India is not better placed than U.S. and European countries. Despite complete lockdown for preventing community transmission of the coronavirus, we still run the risk of virus outbreak. Testing gives authorities a sense of the trajectories of transmission. Unfortunately, India has so far among the lowest ratios of testing in the world.

A country’s testing capacity is contingent on a range of factors: the availability of testing kits, laboratory preparedness and human resources. India’s initial testing protocol for coronavirus was narrow: Till March 19, the country was only testing symptomatic patients with international travel history and those who had come in contact with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases. ICMR senior scientist Nivedita Gupta had told The Indian Express that it was a “rational” decision “not to exhaust... testing capacity in futile testing”.

An the most widely-offered explanation is that India does not have enough testing kits. Even two state governments seemed to back this view. On March 16, Chhattisgarh health minister wrote to the Centre complaining about the “limited supply” of testing kits.

Then, on March 23, as Opposition leaders asked West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to step up testing for the novel coronavirus in the state, she said she could not even if she wanted to. She claimed the state had just 40 testing kits.

It is important to note here that one testing kit does not test one sample alone. On average, the government laboratories could test coronavirus cases up to 90 samples every day. Even if ICMR were to supply states with an infinite number of testing kits, the labs would not be able to utilize them.

The only solution is to expand the network of laboratories so that we speed up testing and know for sure how intense the outbreak of coronavirus is. One thing is sure we are to witness very long-term effects from this virus?

(Chander Sharma)

Read More

Medicine For Coronavirus

My domestic associate rang me up today to suggest I must apply turmeric (Haldi) tilak ( a mark created by the application of powder or paste on the forehead) on my forehead daily to protect myself from the deadly coronavirus. She might not be exactly aware of the scientific properties of the turmeric but her strong belief in our rich cultural value, was sure of its protective effect. Salute to the lady.

We all know turmeric is used in all rituals including wedding ceremony in India. Its a must ritual for Indian bride to have "Haldi ( turmeric application) ceremony. Its a common pre-wedding ceremony also known as Tel Baan or Manjha ceremony. The ritual is held at the bride's as well at the groom's house. It involves applying haldi or turmeric on the couple's face and hands. The scientific logic behind this is to protect bride and bridegroom from virus attack as curcumin in turmeric is most active compound having many scientifically-proven health benefits. Its regular application can prevent Alzheimer's. heart disease, and cancer and many more diseases. That's why whenever, we are hurt or feel fatigues, our mother grand mother used to serve us milk mixed with turmeric (Haldi wala doodh).

Applying (tilak) turmeric on forehead daily can protect you from many diseases. The forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of “energy”, the turmeric 'tilak' is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration.

Application of a tilak boosts immunity as GV 24.5, a point in accordance to acupressure is stimulated. Regular utility keeps any infectious diseases away. Several nerves and muscles are relaxed during tilak dharan (application). Besides, turmeric is the most effective nutritional supplement .

Many studies have proved that turmic has substantial benefits for your body and brain. Recently, even science has started to back up what Indians have known for a long time. These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. It is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

However, as the curcumin content of turmeric is just around 3%, by weight, so we can use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself. With dosages more than 1 gram per day. it will give full effects.

So, friends here is a simple domestic protective medicine which is easily available in every kitchen. Try it.

(Chander Sharma)

Read More

Where Are Your Nuclear Power?

Its most dreaded scenario. A minuscule (micron) virus has made the the entire humanity powerless (eunuch) and even mightiest of all on the earth have surrender to this deadly l tiniest virus. All nuclear weapons, military might, science and technology power have proved useless. All these weapons can't fight coronavirus and save people.

So whats their usefulness? Just to threat each-other and, at best, use nuclear weapons to attack each-others. But then why should human being spend colossal scare resources to kill themselves when if we offend nature, it has its own way to punish us.

World, particular rich nations, were spending more than 105 billion USD annually or roughly 12 million USD an hour, according to a Global Zero Study on Nuclear Weapons cost in 2010. At this rate, it was estimated that nuclear-armed states have spent at least 1 trillion USD till today). And look at the annual budget of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and it is only 10 million dollars. And see how Green Climate Fund is struggling to secure 100 billion USD a year – just a fraction of global nuclear weapons budget. Isn't it a pity.

So Mr. Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and co and cynic rulers like Imran Khan and Kim Jong-un, all your nuclear might and arrogance are of no use. If you buddies are so mighty, then how is that a very very tiny virus have made you to surrender before it. If you might can't fight a virus and can't protect your people it what for it has been acquired?

The mightiest China was the first country to be badly hit by the coronavirus. As many as 18,906 people have died (official figure but unofficial put figures at millions) and 295,251 were infected out of which 109,145 had fully recovered. And the mightiest of all U.S has reported 54,916 coronavirus cases with 784 deaths.

And now WHO has warned that U.S could become the global epi center of coronavirus pandemic. As of today, Confirmed coronavirus cases around the world has exceeded 377,000 across 194 countries. In last 24 hours, 85 percent of new cases were in Europe and the United States, and of those, 40 percent were in the United State.

The highly contagious coronavirus has put the entire world under lock down. In many countries, soldiers are patrolling the streets to keep people indoors, halting services and production and breaking supply chains.

Clearly, Nature has punished us for violating it. Despite repeated warnings, we have never bothered to care. All those in power, the world over, just indulged in blaming and browbeating each-other. It was height of irresponsibility that On June 1 2017, President Trump announced US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Now experts say we didn't learn from the SARS epidemic of 2003. It claimed nearly 800 lives, Unfortunately, health officials and scientists regarded coronaviruses simply as one of many causes of the common cold; some 30 percent of common colds start from coronaviruses until it turned out deadly, We also didn't learn from MERS epidemic in the Middle East in 2012, another type of coronavirus that killed 858 people. The irrefutable lesson from SARS and MERS was clear: coronaviruses could spread quickly and be deadly.

The reasons are obvious: Top leaders were too arrogant of their scientific-technological and military might and remained busy in leg-pulling. Even after outbreak of coronavirus, two super power-US and China- blamed each-other for virus spread.

Its time we learn from our mistakes and henceforth focus on spending our resources for the welfare of human beings.

Read More

Coronavirus: When Will End The Outbreak?

How scary is it that with cities and places once teeming with the hustle and bustle of daily life have turned out into ghost-towns. Restrictions from lock downs,closures of malls, business establishments educational institutions to travel restrictions and bans on mass gatherings have added to the fear.

In short, The world has shut down. State after states and city after cities are being locked down. In latest move, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are among states locked down till March 31.

This is an unprecedented response to this globally epidemic turned pandemonium. It will take long long time- possible years together- for the effects of this deadly virus to go out..

Obliviously, nations and societies can't remain closed for long time. Even if it remain closed for some time, the social-economic damage would be catastrophic.

As such, all countries need a way out to lift the restrictions and getting back to normal.But then there is a strong fear that If restrictions are lifted, you are allowing the virus back. As such, It is a massive scientific and societal challenge.

The immediate concern is how to prevent the outbreak of this killer virus . The best possible way is to immunize the people so that virus cannot cause outbreaks. However, in the absence of vaccine, its not possible.

The latest update says first person given an experimental vaccine was in US this week after researchers were allowed to skip the usual rules of performing animal tests first.

Though vaccine research is being done at unprecedented speed, but there is no guarantee that it will be successful and global immunization will be possible.

As a short-term strategy, its better to drive down cases as much as possible to prevent hospitals being overflowed. Its universal truth that when we run short of intensive care beds, then more and more deaths follow .

India's strategy of "Janata Curfew" could be successful for suppressing the outbreak of the virus among community. If it works, it will allow lifting some restrictions for a while. And if cases rise, another round of restrictions can be enforced.

But these are short-term measures.The long term measure is a vaccine and we all hope that will happen as quickly as possible. But it may take some 12 to 18 months for this vaccine to come in the market. So we need to hold our nerves till that time.

Read More

Janta Curfew: Good To Prevent Community Transmission

After listening to Prime Minister Modi's address to nation today, I am more scared of deadly cororonavirus. PM has advised us to lock down the nation by clamping down " Janata (people) curfew and called upon people to observe it on March 22 from early morning (7 AM to late evening (9 PM). Not only this, Prime Minister wants we should clamp down self curfew right from today. It means we should confine to our house and work from home. And after observing the self-curfew we should siren thanks to those (medical and other workers) who are working tirelessly to fight coronavirus.

And above all, we should avoid visiting doctors and if needed emergency services, should talk on phone. "Sankalp (vow) and sanyam (patience) are the key word PM Modi has suggested to fight deadly virus.

What does it mean? In clear words nation has been forewarned of an impending war. Fighting deadly virus like Corona is more than a war. And like war, nation has to be get prepared for it. It also means government of the day have admitted, it can't fight the deadly virus on its own. As the coronavirus is very deadly when transmitted through community, well prime minister formula may work. India, right now is at stage 2 of coronavirus outbreak. It means we are not at great risk as European countries are.

Well self-curfew for fighting a killer virus is measure what Thomas Robert Malthus suggested to control the population. Malthusian Theory of Population is based on balance between the exponential population growth and arithmetic food supply growth. He believed that a balance between population growth and food supply could be established through preventive and positive checks.

As population doubles in 25 years, the food supply grows at a slower rate than the population. Ultimately, The shortage of food supply could decrease population. The disequilibrium in food supply and population growth would result in people not getting enough food even for survival. People will die due to lack of food supply.

And Malthus believed that Nature has its own ways of keeping a check on the increasing population. It brings the population level to the level of the available food supply. The positive checks include famines, earthquakes, flood, epidemics, wars, etc. When humans fail to control excessive population growth, nature plays its role.

So should we leave the control of killer coronavirus to "Sanklap and Sanyam" as suggested by PM Modi? PM has himself admitted that virus is going to be pandemic. So friends apart from "Sanklap and Sanyam", country need to fight this pandemic. virus on war footing with timely medical facilities including testing. In a highly politically surcharged atmosphere, Prime Minister address could be seen as govt's helplessness to fight the deadly virus. Majority of country's population are not as awakened and they get scared even over small warning,

(Chander Sharma)

Read More

Virus That Has Locked Earth And Humans

The deadly Cornonavirus has locked down the earth and country after countries are enforcing ban on all mass activities. Several countries have banned mass gathering, shuttered sporting, cultural and religious events. People have been advised to practice “social distancing” to curb the spread. Many counties including India have banned entry of foreigners. U.S. has extended country’s travel ban to Britain and Ireland.

In the latest move France and Spain joined Italy in imposing lockdowns on people. Spain has put its 47 million inhabitants under partial lockdown on Saturday as part of a 15-day state of emergency . Its Europe’s second worst-affected country after Italy.

Spain has reported 193 deaths and 6,250 cases so far.

Argentina has banned entry to non-residents while Colombia has expelled four Europeans for violating compulsory quarantine protocols. It has closed its border with Venezuela.

South Korea has began to subject visitors from France, Germany, Britain, Spain and the Netherlands to stricter border checks from Sunday.

Australia has ordered self-isolation of arriving foreigners.Panic buying in Australia, the United States and Britain were reported.

Austria’s chancellor has announced bans on gatherings of more than five people and further limits on who can enter the country.It has urged people to self-isolate.

Even Vatican is locked down.In an unprecedented move, all of Pope Francis’ Easter services next month are to be held without the faithful attendance.

The spread of deadly virus is so severe that wives of Canadian and Spain prime ministers have tested positive and being kept in isolation. However, U.S. president Donald Trump, who was suspected of virus contamination, has tested negative Last week, Trump met a Brazilian delegation in which at least one member later tested positive.

China tightened checks on international travelers arriving at Beijing airport on Sunday, after the number of imported new coronavirus infections surpassed locally transmitted cases for a second day in a row.Anyone arriving to Beijing from abroad will be transferred directly to a central quarantine facility for 14 days for observation starting March 16.China has reported 80,984 cases and 3,203 deaths. The country imposed draconian containment policies from January, locking down several major cities.

Its almost a stampede the world over. The lockdown and subsequent bans have hit the trade and commerce hard. Travel restrictions have plunged globally air travel and airline have gone for cutbacks. Latest reports say American Airlines Inc (AAL.O) plan to cut 75% of international flights through May 6 and ground nearly all its widebody fleet.

The tremors of coronavirus outbreak have been felt in the markets the world over.Last week, within minutes, trading was suspended on multiple stocks as they hit the daily 10 percent limit. The knock-on effects of the virus are daily making themselves felt, from disrupted air travel to rattled supply chains and plummeting commodity prices that are dampening growth prospects from Southeast Asia to South America and beyond.

What is more discernible is the threat of biological warfare. What if such a deadly virus is used by terrorist outfits like ISIS, Taliban. Al-Quaida and Laskhar. India faces the greatet threat. Such a threat is fuelled by China accusations.Chinese diplomat has blamed US military for bringing coronavirus to Wuhan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian republished a video of Robert Redfield, the director for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, addressing a US Congressional committee on March 11. In the clip, Redfield said some influenza deaths in the US were later identified as cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Redfield didn't say when those people had died or over what time period, but Zhao pointed to his remarks in support of a growing conspiracy theory that the coronavirus did not originate in Hubei province in central China. He did not offer any further evidence for the claim.

Though experts have dismissed the accusation as diplomatic stunt but there is much between the words. There is a murmur that new coronavirus is a bioweapon and virus was purposefully unleashed that causes Covid-19 on the world. However, the murmur was widely dismissed by disease and defense experts. A good bioweapon, some note, wouldn’t spread as easily and indiscriminately as the new coronavirus does. Thank God, it wasn't.

Read More