A `Virus’ has arrived out of nowhere. And there’s an eerie and chilling silence across the globe as pictures of `Ghost Cities’ emerge from Europe. Must say, this virus is very democratic and has spared no one. It is not about the poor anymore with the likes of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks and wife, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife and now we hear even US President Donald Trump was tested on Friday. Suddenly, all the discussion about economic growth, Startups, 5G, Emerging technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution is on the backburner. Now, the only discussion is on medical research around this new virus and how to grapple with it till a new vaccine emerges.
About just a month ago, Coronavirus was being referred to as the disease spread by bats in China. Slowly it took the shape of an epidemic with no clear endpoint with Wuhan being the epicenter. At an accelerating speed, COVID 19 has spread its wings cross borders and now about 147 countries have been caught off guard and are struggling to deal with it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a Pandemic. There are 148,306 confirmed cases and 5,550 deaths. About 72,042 people have also recovered from it. As Microsoft head honcho Bill Gates predicted a month ago “the corona virus is a once-in-a-century pandemic, or at least it’s shaping up to be.”
Tarik Jasarevic, Media Officer WHO reveals that the focus in China was to identify all people with symptoms. Separate fever clinics were set up and after a couple of tests like WBC count, a flu test a nasal swab test people were segregated. Post this people with suspected or mild cases were put in isolation camps. These camps were set up outside the cities if need be. Only severe cases were put in hospitals. Also home quarantine and complete lock down helped them to check the epidemic. Now, there are fewer new cases in China but the epicenter of the epidemic COVID 19 has shifted to Europe with Italy being the epicenter.
To quote an Italian Nurse talking to the Guardian, “Its an experience, I would compare to a world war.” “But it’s a war that isn’t fightable with traditional arms – as we don’t yet know who the enemy is and so it’s difficult to fight. Here the difficult part is that even doctors and the hospital staff can get infected, because even those without symptoms could be carrying the virus.
Currently 10 of the top 15 affected countries are in Europe. China had 80,976 cases reported. Italy has reported 17,660 cases followed by Spain, France, Germany Switzerland, UK, Denmark, Norway and Netherlands. Iran has reported 12,729 cases of the disease and South Korea 8,086. Even the US has not been spared with 2,175 cases being reported and Japan has 725 cases. Fortunately, In India the community spread is still limited.
Lock Down all over. A state of Emergency
As international media reports across Europe emerge, Hospitals look like war zones. The virus has infected many doctors and nurses. In fact, in Italy, as reports go hospitals could stop treating the most severely ill victims if the outbreak escalates. Patients with a poor prognosis may even be taken off ventilators in favor of those with better survival chances. GPs have been ordered to hold all appointments by phone or video unless a physical examination is absolutely necessary.
Almost, all the countries are under a lockdown. President Trump has announced that the US was suspending travel from 26 European countries.
In India, 31 cases have been identified with Kerala and Maharashtra lead. Here, mostly the infected person had a history of international travel. There are still a few cases of local transmission where the person had a direct contact with person with a travel history. As for now, the states have announced the closure of all Malls, Gyms, Schools and Theaters. Residential campuses are being vacated and religious services called off. The Indian government has also stopped all international travel.
The Louvre Museum in Paris , which had 9.6 million visitors has been closed “until further notice” This came after the French government banned all gatherings of over 100 people to limit the spread of the virus.
Spain will be in a state of emergency for the next 15 days to better combat the coronavirus, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, after infections soared over 4,200 with 120 dead. There’s a state of alert as the country fears that they could even reach 10,000 infections.
Canada’s Parliament has agreed to shut down for more than a month while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau governed remotely from his home, in self-imposed quarantine after his wife tested positive.
As per the Cultural Ministry Greece closed all its museums and archaeological sites, including the entire Acropolis that looms over Athens, until the end of the month. With 117 confirmed cases all public gatherings and shut down schools, cinema halls and gyms. The Bulgarian parliament voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency as confirmed cases in the country rose to 23.
In Italy, millions are locked down and more than 1,441 people have died from the coronavirus. But in South Korea, which was hit by the disease at about the same time, only a few thousand are quarantined and 75 people died. It’s rather sad the death toll is going up by the day.
What can we do to avoid the spread of Coronavirus?
As for now follow what has been told to us.
*Maintain a discipline and follow a personal hygiene discipline
*As for now, maintain a social distance from people.
*Avoid crowded places.
*Keep washing your hands with an alcohol based sanitizer
er or soap as often and when you have touched a common surface
*Avoid touching public touch screens like ticketing counters, self check-ins at airports and glass surfaces at gyms.
*Use a mask while going out. Use gloves
*Use a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing
*Keep a safe distance from people
Also, let’s pray as we all are in it together..!