Despite being an un-living speck of a pathogen, coronavirus has brought the whole human world to an unprecedented halt. The human race is struggling to survive in an atmosphere of complete void of economic ventures or pursuits. No wealth or money is being generated. The only community active is the media, which unfortunately has chosen to remain focused on the virus that has put governments, corporates, charities, voluntary agencies. Numerous poor people are virtually clueless as to what should be done next to bring back normalcy. Corona is now the only a ‘media star' occupying over 80% of its time and space. The media has focused on the hated virus so greatly as to keep the human race scared for another decade or so. Fear alone has been the main cause of immunity loss in most human creatures. Other killer diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are treated like kids' bruise from outdoor games. People with heart, kidney and even AIDS problems are pushed aside to make way for corona. It is for sure that many sick people will die due to lack of medical care as hospital beds are kept away for corona management only.
It is strange to see most experts using wrong words and expressions. They don’t seem to know plain infection without symptoms is being corona positive only. Once symptoms show and medical care becomes necessary, it can be called corona virus disease which is Covid. But expressions like ‘covid test' and ‘covid positive' are grossly wrong to use when infection without symptoms are seen. It is plain corona test; and if infection is confirmed, it is ‘corona positive' only. ‘Covid' is to be used when the corona positive person requires hospitalisation. That’s why ‘Covid Hospitals' and ‘Covid beds' are so named.
The human race will have to live with flu viruses hereafter as it is not clearly known how many such pathogens nature will produce in future. Only behaviour change can keep humans safe. International travel will of course diminish significantly; and more professionals will be expected to work from home by using technology. Social distancing and mask use will be as ordinary as being ‘civil with seniors' and ‘wearing undergarments'.
There is quite some good news too. It is clear by now that very effective therapeutic treatments will arrive before perfectly safe vaccines are available. It should also be known well that whenever someone contracts the coronavirus, his or her body’s immune system launches a defence, including producing antibodies that circulate in the blood to help identify infectious invaders. The fighting back strength will automatically increase as is natural. In good time, nearly the whole human race will become immune without anything like ‘herd infection' happening. Further, rapid, low-cost saliva tests are also being developed to be made available soon. That will be the game changer because they are as simple as home pregnancy tests. One has only to spit into a vial and, in a few minutes, the result will be out. It will cost between 75 and 350 rupees.
People’s behaviour is also becoming more and more civilised and responsible. They have already begun maintaining social distance and wearing masks religiously. People have gained a great deal of common sense in the last four months after seeing what’s happening around them.
There is enough evidence by now that past exposure to common-cold coronaviruses might be playing a protective role. This is a big claim, but several studies are now showing that 20% to 50% of people who had never been exposed to coronavirus have immune cells known as ‘memory T cells' in their bodies that react to the novel coronavirus.
Vaccine trials seem to be working. Drug manufacturers have already said they might be able to deliver doses by October 2020 as early-stage clinical trials are showing positive signs. So, all is not as bad as being projected by the social media or similar entities. ‘Corona' by all means is a horrible virus, which can cause big damage to the human body. Even after cure, many complain of loss of power to smell and taste besides weak functioning of vital organs.
All the same, life has to go on to avoid death due to starvation particularly in developing countries. The economy has been destroyed, which needs to be revived sooner than initially thought. There is big fear among thinkers that countless non-Covid patients will die as fear of corona infection is irrationally high even among frontline medical experts.
India is a big-population country. Hence, the number of infected is big. But the percentage of affected is still under impressive control. Odisha is considered one of the safest locations today. The State Government had taken timely precautions to keep the region safe. What has probably been missing is scientifically planned Press briefings by officials to alert masses to remain safe and not panic at all. Unfortunately, quite at the beginning, wrong, self-styled experts from strange domains occupied centrestage and went on spilling meaningless theatrics and farce without making clear basics of safe living. Trained medical experts, domain masters and even highly sensitive bureaucrats are doing superb job now that the wrong elements are out. But these Press events have to be everyday at an appointed hour with real good experts sharing critical information.
There is so much of talk by media about half-baked, unprofessional guys having robbed the State exchequer in the name of making quality information, education and commutation materials. One is said to be a fluke who has grabbed a critical job to come up only with plain crap. Mainstream filmmakers are not necessarily adept at making social message videos. One needs to do solid homework involving methodical research to know what people will love to see to amend behaviour. Most of the videos made by these guys are too ordinary and carry virtually no sensitive message. One of these filmmakers had also made a messed-up film on Biju Patnaik, which no one got to see. But knowledgeable citizens say it is better the movie has been kept away as it would have diminished Bijubabu’s colossal image. This one movie-wonder filmmaker has sunk huge amounts of public money for private gain. He better put back the money to the State. The Naveen Patnaik administration’s image may be tarnished if such machinating cash-grabbers keep duping gullible but noble-minded bureaucrats.