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It had gone, at least we thought so. Lockdown had been lifted and life was returning to normalcy. Though PM Modi was urging people to observe the Corona protocol since, he used to say that, Corona was not gone completely. Complacent people did not pay heed to his appeal. They started coming out in flocks, avoid masks and did not observe the social distancing norms. The dreaded Coronavirus was stealthily watching it all. The danger was hovering. It was to repeat itself, and it did. At the start of April this year, people witnessed with awe and terror a revival of the Coronavirus attack with multiple ferocity and force. Careless and vulnerable people were taken aback by the sudden and severe second squall. It came with lightning speed and plunged its deadly fangs deep into their body. People started yelling for help. Hospitals were overflooded, life-saving drugs became scarce and medical oxygen a rare commodity.
In difficult times of pandemic, humanity is seen caught between the devil and the deep sea. People are desperate about their lives; they are experimenting and experiencing everything being served to them by doctors, specialists, and the so-called experts. Pandemic is hazardous because of the polymorphous character of the virus. It frequently mutates and because of its changed protein structure, readily sticks to the surface and enters the body, if not taken care of.
The new variant of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been named B.1.617. Ridiculously a section of 'Progressive media' has termed it as an 'Indian variant'. WHO has clarified that they have NOT used the term 'Indian' in its report on the matter. It goes on to suggest the vicious mindset of a select few who are spreading canards. Amidst the huff and puff of the second wave of Coronavirus in the country, a new strain of the virus has also been discovered in Andhra Pradesh by the Center of Cellular and Molecular Biology. The new strain, N440K, is claimed to be 10 times more lethal than the previous one. However, further studies indicate that this strain would be weakened, if not completely wiped out, in times to come. With the rapid infection and short incubation period, the virus can spread fast attacking the immune and respiratory system in quick succession. It is evident from the increasing number of serious patients. The mismanaged hospitals and mammonism of a section of society combined with the ferocity of the virus are playing havoc which is further being aggravated by the obnubilate miasma of confusion and uncertainty.
The absence of a foolproof treatment of Coronavirus is intimidating. Humanity still does not have a curative therapy or pathy to treat the virus. All that can be done is to fight it by the inner strength of immunity. The vaccines which have been evolved are also immunity boosters. They augment immunity by fighting antigens and developing antibodies naturally. The antibodies thus develop help fighting the dreaded Coronavirus and decrease its severity to a great extent. The efficacy of vaccines ranges between 75 to 90 per cent, therefore, albeit not absolute protectors, they protect fairly well. It is necessary to break the chain of virus spread. Observing the social distancing norms and wearing masks are the prime requirements to check the spread of Coronavirus, the new strain of which has been found to spread by air as well. Besides it, vaccination is a potential tool to stop the spread and elimination of the virus. The vaccine can play a vital role in checking its spread after acquiring herd immunity. We have two indigenously developed/manufactured vaccines in India - Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (of Oxford Astra Zeneca, being manufactured locally by Serum Institute of India). In addition to them, we have Sputnik V imported from Russia. Sputnik V is a one-shot vaccine with a high efficacy rate. It would be manufactured in India with the collaboration of Russia.
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There is, however, a silver line in the discovery and evolution of curative medicine for Coronavirus. 2DG (2-Deoxy-D-Glucose), a drug claimed to cure Coronavirus by killing it in situ, has been evolved by DRDO in collaboration with Hyderabad based Dr Reddy's Lab. It is claimed that the drug reduces the dependence on supplemental oxygen. The powdery medication can be orally administered, dissolved in water. The drug has been cleared by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for emergency use. The first batch of 2DG has been rolled out on 17-May-2021. Speaking on the occasion Defense Minister Mr Rajnath Singh termed it a "new ray of hope" in the treatment of Corona patients.
Observing the surge in the Coronavirus cases, the government has permitted universal immunization, which officially started on 01st May 2021. Within a short period, a maximum number of people are to be inoculated to curb its spread. However, the huge population is a great impediment to universal immunization in the country. To immunize 135 crore people with a current pace of vaccine production and availability is a time-consuming uphill task. It is evident from the fact that as of now, a total of 21.8 crores doses have been administered while 4.4 crore people have fully been inoculated making a minuscule 3.2% of people who have been vaccinated fully. The huge gap has to be filled by increasing the production and checking the loss of vaccines. Reports of colossal wastage of valuable vaccine and their disposal in dustbins are disturbing and annoying. It shows the sheer callous approach of the authorities concern.
In the meanwhile, what patients are getting as Coronavirus treatment is a heavy dose of antibiotics and steroids. Apart from weakening the immune system, they harm organs causing collateral damage. It is also a fact that antibodies are used against bacteria. They are not effective in killing viruses. As the severity increases due to the spread of the virus in the pulmonary region, breathing becomes progressively difficult and the Corona patient starts feeling suffocated. This decreases the oxygen level leading to asphyxia. In such a critical situation patient needs supplementary oxygen support immediately. The delay in giving oxygen support may cause even the death of the individual. The oxygen supply to the patient through pipes has been reported to cause a different complication because of the development of a fungus in the pipe. It all gives rise to a new set of complications post-corona including the deadly Mucormycosis (commonly known as Black Fungus disease). People after being cured are reported facing several other severe side effects and life-threatening complications. The steroids increase the risk of liver, kidney and prostate cancer besides being the cause of high blood pressure and heart attacks.
The problem is aggravated by the vicious acts of those who for their parochial gains want it to continue. The rumours mills are fanning panic and fear psychosis. Media and TV channels are sensationalizing the issue by showing the visuals of effigies and shortages of land for burial. Profligates have started black marketing life-saving drugs like Remdesivir and oxygen. Pressure is being mounted on the government to ensure the supply of oxygen. Delhi government tried to encash the opportunity (?) to brighten its image at the cost of the central government. Politicians are ludicrously passing the bucks onto PM Modi for the mismanagement and chaos. It is noteworthy that health is a state subject. Despite it, the states are showing a lackadaisical approach in dealing with the problem. However, after initial hiccups and stagger, the states like Maharastra, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh have done noticeable work to contain the pandemic. Working on the mantra of ' yes to medicine and yes to caution (Dawai Bhi Aur Kadai Bhi) ', governments are ensuring jobs to the poor along with strict restrictions shunning the potential lockdown and concentrating on the micro-containment zones.
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The mantra of ' Knowledge is protection ' needs to be followed. The artificially created murk of confusion, distrust and suspicion must come to an end. People are sensible and understand the diabolic move of selfish who are selling their inner conscience to mint money for the sake of pennies. They need to be identified and brought to the book. It is good that required stringent action against the culprits of humanity has started.
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Experts are cautioning us about the impending third wave of Coronavirus pandemic. People need to keep their wit strong and morale high. With the increased paraphernalia and wide coverage of vaccination coupled with curative medicine, the pandemic would not only be contained but defeated as well. The suspicion that the third wave might affect children has to be addressed properly. Hon’ble Supreme Court has also raised its concern. Fast-paced work is needed to develop a vaccine for children. Countries like Canada and the USA have started administering vaccines to children. In a country like ours, this is all the more important and necessary where the number of children under 18 is 472 million representing 39% of the total population (among them 29% are in the age bracket of 0-6 years). Despite all odds, people need to be positive and strong. Their cooperation is of prime importance. The government is making all endeavours to contain the menace. The people’s participation and cooperation would act as a philosopher’s-stone to win the battle.
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