We have been living with COVID 19 for 8 months and the situation remains mostly unchanged.
There have been reports, of a fall in number of cases or about a rise in numbers but with less fatalities, on immunity after infections, about vaccines being on the way and much more. All of these indicate an evolving scenario that is still quite fluid and unpredictable.
What we can be sure of is that the disease is not going away soon and may even increase in its severity. Many countries in Europe have reintroduced complete or almost complete lockdown because of the sudden rise in the number of cases.
We have, since the beginning of the pandemic learned a lot about the disease, and we are learning more about how the coronavirus is transmitted. Wearing face masks, social distancing (the 2-meter rule) and maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene with hand sanitation and surface disinfection have provided reliable protection against getting infected.
Respiratory viruses are transmitted in 3 ways. The first is by direct physical contact with an infected person or by contact with a surface or object touched by that person. The second is by droplet infection – coming into contact with small droplets of moisture exhaled by an infected person through normal breathing or sneezing or coughing. The third is by inhaling air that has the virus suspended in it.
In the early stages, there was a great deal of concern about the transmission via contact with infected surfaces. However, research and empirical evidence suggest that while contact with an infected surface can lead to infection, this is not a major transmission channel. Coming into contact with droplets remains the main method of transmission but new evidence indicates that the risk of infection by minute droplets that remain suspended in the air for long periods of time has been under-appreciated.
In July of this year, a group of 200 leading scientists issued a statement saying that the risk of airborne infection from suspended droplets was much greater than earlier thought. In October, the (CDC) in the U.S.A., a leading international health organization, said that there is growing evidence of infection from airborne droplets that can infect people from a distance of greater than 2 meters. However, the CDC clarified that the risk is greatest in enclosed spaces with little ventilation.
Whether infection comes from droplet or airborne transmission, the results remain the same. Lockdown fatigue has set in across the world and India is no exception. People are tired of wearing masks and social distancing. They want to be close to their loved ones without wearing the mask and once again be able to socialize with friends. As the festive season gets underway in India, there is an urgent need for people to remember the risk of infection remains at least the same as it was and could be even greater.
It is most important for people to accept that the risk of infection is present. It is equally important to understand that the disease, and the way it spreads, is evolving. We have to stay up to date on the most reliable and verified information on this disease. What was accepted as truth a few months ago may not be so today.
It would be sensible and wise to be aware of the risks that come from believing fake news and rumors. When in doubt, contact a medical professional for guidance on remaining safe from COVID 19.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
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