Coronavirus

Wuhan a central Chinese city is the epicentre of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, which is believed to have jumped from wild animals at a city market into humans. It has infected more than 800 globally and several countries have confirmed cases of deadly virus. What is happening in Wuhan is tragic. Our sympathy to the Chinese. Such calamities do happen and we learn from it and not guess who is at fault.


The virus, which emerged late last year, has claimed at least 213 lives and infected thousands in China, with at least 159 deaths in Wuhan alone. With the virus spreading to other countries, the World Health Organization has declared the crisis a global health emergency. Three positive cases, of students who came back from Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, were reported from Thrissur, Alapuzha and Kasarkode districts of Kerala. India Government have made arrangements to bring Indians from there, while some countries have decided not to.

This has a mention in a 1981 book :

"Contagion" is a 2011 movie about a pandemic with potentially eerie similarities to recent events. At the time of the movie's release, Laurie Garrett, a consultant on the film who wrote the book "The Coming Plague," stated that the plot is "part fantasy, part reality and totally possible." It stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet and - the disease like virus that begins spreading from China to spread to the rest of the world! The strangest thing is that at the end of the movie it turns out that the cause of infection is the bat, which is the same reason that the disease is currently spread !!

May be Its coming from a medical understanding that bats carry viruses which would kill human immune system. And I have heard that in China they drink bat soup and its common in many places so can't be prophetic.

Corona Virus——-

This is from a doctor in Hong Kong who consulted with his friend (who currently works on SARS prevention research) on some effective ways to prevent the Coronavirus.

Doctor's advice about coronavirus:

1. It is pretty large in size (cell is about 400-500nm diameter), so any normal mask (not just the N95 feature) should be able to filter it out. However, when someone who's infected sneezes in front of you, it will take a great 3 meters (about 10 feet) before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

2. When the virus drops on metal surface, it will live for at least 12 hours. So remember if you come in contact with any metal surface, wash your hands with soap thoroughly.

3. The virus can remain active on fabric for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent should kill the virus. For winter clothing that does not require daily washing, you can put it out under the sun to kill the virus.

About the symptoms of the pneumonia caused by Coronavirus:

1. It will first infect the throat, so the throat will have the dry sore throat feeling which will last for 3 to 4 days

2. Then the virus will blend into the nasal fluid and drips into the trachea and enter the lungs, causing pneumonia. This process will take 5 to 6 days.

3. With pneumonia, comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You will feel like you are drowning in water. It's important to go seek immediate medical attention if you feel like this.

About prevention:

1. The most common way of getting infected is by touching things in public, so you must wash your hands frequently. The virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 mins, but a lot can happen in those 5-10 mins (you can rub your eyes or pick your nose unwittingly).

2. Aside from washing your hands frequently, you can gargle with Betadine Sore Throat Gargle to eliminate or minimize the germs while they are still in your throat (before dripping down to your lungs).

Folks, take extra care and drink plenty of water.

Reminder: How can I help protect myself and those around me?

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and throw tissue in trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Don't Panic, today that seems scarier than the virus.