Nothing will happen to me

How often do you come across the above line, especially in the current situation? Let me take a minute in explaining to you the psychology behind this concept called Optimism Bias. The optimism bias is essentially a mistaken belief that our chances of experiencing negative events are lower than those around us. While it’s good to be positive, this also leads us to take stupid and unnecessary everyday risks. This is perhaps one reason why insurance policies aren’t taken seriously. 

Just yesterday, I had a friend call me up as he was feeling really sick. Having adhered to the lockdown rules perfectly, he just decided to step out once with a bunch of friends and was now experiencing COVID related symptoms. To add to it, one of the friends tested positive. He is now under isolation.

Today as we speak there have been 1.42 crore COVID cases around the world with over 6.02 lakhs death, which is roughly 4% of the confirmed population. I am sure out of the 6 lakhs, at least 80% of them may have thought that it would never happen to them.

The intent behind writing this blog is to raise some awareness around COVID 19 and its effect on people around us. I have tried my best to pick up facts from the WHO website or authentic studies confirmed from multiple sources. 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, they are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered strain of coronavirus causes the disease called as  COVID-19. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness & Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but only have very mild symptoms. The good news is that over 80% recover from the disease without needing hospitalization. But remember the Optimism Bias & Keep reading?? 

How does it spread? 

The disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in these droplets from a person infected with the virus. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 meter ( 3 feet) away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person such as tables, doorknobs, and handrails. People can become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why the next part is super important. 

How can you protect yourself?  

1. The best way to prevent yourself is by Washing your hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds. Soap is made up of two-sided molecules. One side is attracted to water; the other side is attracted to fat. And viruses are made up of material surrounded by a coating of proteins and fat. When viruses interact with soap, that fat coating gets ripped out by the soap molecules, thus demolishing the Virus. Of course, it takes time for this effect to happen. Remember. - 20 seconds.  
2. If soap isn’t available, Alcohol-based hand rubs/Sanitizers can be effective. WHO recommends 80% ethanol or 75% isopropyl alcohol concentrations for it to be effective against the Virus. Just make sure you check the contents before buying one. 
3. Masks - Two medical-grade masks, N99 and N95, are the most effective at filtering viral particles. That’s exactly why WHO recommends reserving N99 and N95 masks for healthcare workers, first: Both seal tightly around the nose and mouth so that very few viral particles can seep in or out. They also contain tangled fibers to filter airborne pathogens. (Did you know that the number 95 in N95 means refers to its minimum 95 percent efficiency at filtering aerosols). Disposable Surgical Mask ( one in blue color is the 2nd recommended, followed by a fabric-based Mask) 
4. Washing fruits & Vegetables - The truth is, no evidence/cases is suggesting that the virus can be transmitted through food or food packaging. Yet, some experts warned that there’s still a risk of getting sick if you pick an object an infected person has sneezed or coughed on. So the best thing is once you buy, please separate the fruit and vegetables, wash your hands with soap and then start cleaning them using simple running water. It is highly UNSAFE to wash it with soaps and detergents as consuming this can make you sick, leading to gastrointestinal infection with nausea or stomach upset. Don’t forget to wash your hands after cleaning too.  
5. Using a Disinfectant spray for surfaces -  The coronavirus can live for hours to days on surfaces like countertops and doorknobs. How long it survives depends on the material the surface is made from. To reduce your chance of catching or spreading the new coronavirus, clean and disinfect common surfaces and objects in your home regularly. Buy a good spray like SAVLON, Dettol, and use it regularly. Please note – WHO doesn’t recommend spraying it on humans. Moreover, the spray is also not safe to drink, breathe, or come in close contact with human beings. Hence don’t forget to take care. Based on New England Journal of Medicine study - COVID 19 lifespan in various surfaces is as follows - Paper( 3hrs), Copper(4hrs), Cardboard(24hrs), Wood, Cloth & Steel (2days), Plastic ( 3days), Paper Currency/Glass (4days)
6. Understand your Immune system –  Your immune system is a mutually supporting structure of white blood cells, antibodies, complex proteins, networks, and organs. Some parts of the system act as literal barriers, preventing viruses and bacteria from reaching organs like your brain, while others hunt and remove invaders from your body. Though your immune system is effective against many disease-causing germs and viruses, it requires time to familiarize itself with a new enemy. In many scenarios, it must be able to recognize an illness-causing pathogen as a danger before it can be removed from your body. This is typically only possible once you’ve developed specific antibodies after having been sick or receiving a vaccine. Your immunity system comprises of 

• Pathogens ( The Villain) Microbes that can infect the body and cause illness,
• Antigens: (The Weapon) Proteins found on the surface of pathogens
• Antibodies( The Hero)  Healthy proteins that can recognize and bind with specific antigens.

When an antibody recognizes the antigen of an invading pathogen, it binds itself to it tightly. Once attached it acts as an alarm, signaling other elements of the immune system to attack the invader. It must be noted that a strong immune system, will not prevent you from being infected with COVID 19, as those who contract it have no existing antibodies to mount a defense, however, it can surely help you reduce the infection to a large extent by increasing the bodies fight. 

7. Things that helps you build immunity – 

• Vitamin C  ( helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection) – While an orange gives you 50 mg of Vitamin C every day, you can go for a Vitamin C supplement that has the power of 10 oranges ( 1000mg). We have been taking Limcee every single day, it’s a chewable, tasty capsule and great for kids too. Its recommended that 500mg should be good enough for kids every day  
• Vitamin D  Vitamin D is essential for immune function. Healthy levels of this vitamin may help lower your risk of respiratory infections. Ask your doctor for dosage. 
• Water - Perhaps you would have heard this from multiple sources and a must-do in isolation wards or during COVID treatment. If you have a fever, your body sweats and loses fluids and minerals. A glass of water an hour, equivalent to about 2 liters a day, will help to reduce the fever by hydrating you correctly and reducing side effects such as headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.

What I have additionally done to prevent from the current situation – 

They say necessity is the mother of all inventions. From Bluetooth enabled face mask to masks with inbuilt cooling capacity, we have seen it all. I picked up a couple of such items to give an added layer of safety. With front line workers, senior citizens, and kids at home this is very helpful. 

1. Buy a pair of COVID Keys – This is a multipurpose tool used to touch surfaces, ATM Machines, Carry Grocery Bags, etc. These small keys are very handy to have a contactless experience. While you find this in many shops starting from INR 30 – INR 400, I highly recommend you to buy COVID KEY MADE OF BRASS. ( available on Amazon)  Brass is anti-microbial in nature, and this alloy permanently inactivates the Virus faster compared to other materials. The problem with buying a COVID Key made of Plastic or any other material is the need to sanitize regularly as the virus stays on those surfaces longer.

2. Foot Operated Hand Sanitizer

These foot-operated hand sanitizers offer contactless sanitization, and avoids transmission of the virus. The purpose to control the spread of coronavirus from an infected person to others while using the same sanitizer bottle. If you have elders at home, especially with orthopedic challenges make sure you buy something with a big pedal. I picked up something from Amazon( Sun Electro Foot Stand) which was pretty reasonable. 

3.  Drop Box Outside for Groceries/Medicines/Online Deliveries – You must have heard enough and more cases of spread by visiting grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. The easiest thing to do here is to make sure you get everything delivered home and ask them to place it in the drop box. To avoid the spread of infection, use a disinfectant spray on the cover, separate the and put it in a dustbin outside before bringing the materials inside . Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap, clean the items with running water, and get back to work. Use a Cardboard Box, as it can hold the virus for just 24 hours max. 

I was at a medical shop yesterday, and the pharmacist was on a call with someone experiencing major COVID 19 symptoms. The pharmacist just said – “stay indoors and don’t ever get tested”.  This is misleading and never fall prey to such an opinion. If you develop any COVID related symptoms – please consult your doctor and seek help. Never consider this article, WhatsApp conversations, or views from a non-doctor in such a scenario.  

As i end this article today, i want to highlight 2 important points :

• Where’s your mask right now? If it’s in a safe place or hanging on a wall, you are Good! But if it's lying somewhere on the table, or you don’t know where it is – please remember that the virus can stay outside of your mask for 7 days. Most of us think wearing a mask is like a Vaccine but please remember there are a lot of  bacteria and virus in the outer surface, and needs to be hence washed, and kept in a safe place. Use a simple hook or key holder to place it on the wall.  
• A lot of them compare COVID 19 to seasonal flu, its like comparing apples and oranges. COVID 19 might be mild for you but could harm your loved ones and you wouldn’t ever want to live in Guilt by infecting others because of your carelessness.

Let us take a little care and help the next generation enjoy life!

Zeeshan Ramlan

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and collection of few data points from below mentioned websites/articles. These are just preventive measures. If you experience any COVID related symptoms please consult your doctor immediately.

Ref – ( WHO Website , VOX.com , Intermountainhealthcare.org)