When Should We Expect The End of Corona Virus

How And When, On Earth, Will Covid-19 Be Flushed Out Completely?

Such has been the most coveted query and concern on mind of all of us across global length, which has kept all of us biting nails and to look for ways to curb and control it, by putting our best foot forward but without putting our foot in the mouth. Not a hidden fact that coronavirus has brought the world to standstill in every way perceived. Although, there is a tsunami of reports pertaining to this outbreak from very wide range of sources while some are not termed as authentic. Even the Wall Street journal has gone a step ahead in calling (and condoning) such an ocean of info as “coronavirus infodemic” and has asked the global community to refrain from placing full trust and validity to it, if sources are obscure.

People around the world, are seen racing their thoughts and efforts to uncover answers to a handful of questions like, “why is social distancing useful?” or “when will all this come to an end?” and apparently,  we should always approach the right people authorized to know the answers.

At this point, I have just gathered some info, backed by editors of Science News  which is a widely regarded medical and scientific journal (magazine), enabled by a no-profit Society for Science & the Public, active for the past 10 decades (yes, 100 years).

What makes experts go jittery in regard to coronavirus-19?

Evidently, worry abounds, blended with confusion when one ponders this pandemic, since major part of (and so its source) stream of the factual info is still densely dark mysterious. Making things worse, very few people have shown immunity to fight and resist this naturally (yes even the millennial), indicating that most among us, are likely to fall for it and by it, after which, others around us, will also be brought under its communal coverage (no communal politics here, please shed this notion)as the spread is swift enough to transfer infection onto others quickly, even by touching or coughing nearby.

Hence, in the present scenario, it is crucial that “social distancing” is observed diligently, only to stymie its effortless distribution all along (what Britishers were boastful of during the height of imperialism – colonial desire for social segregation).

Now, as healthcare facilities across China, US and Italy record a growing number of patients and special beds and sections are reserved for such patients, doctors and staff has gone berserk on thinking about those with higher risk, i.e. old age people and people with some critical health conditions.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

God forbid, but if one feels feverish alongside shortness of breath, medical care should be sought and the advice should be followed upon, religiously. As a golden rule set thereby, we should remain at our dwelling and in isolation so as to not to be in physical contact (yes of every sort, couples, please be morally patient in order to avoid the otherwise) with other family members as well as community members.

On a serious note, if there is felt a constant pain in chest or hardness in breathing, rush to medical care at once.

Why Handwashing Is (Heavily) Emphasized Upon?

Not a hidden fact anymore, by virtue of washing hands on regular basis, one is saved from a range of infections including COVID-19. In fact, washing hands tops the list of precautions, issued by Science New For Students.

Once home, just chill but also in mind keep that the “n” number of  objects (living or non-living) you touched outside, might not be properly sanitized and they might carry germs or residues of infection may be clinging onto our palms and are thus, very much there, unless we wash  hands properly showing patience. Set a time-frame of 20 seconds, yes, watch the clock or simply mumble the Happy Birthday song but a couple of times. During this, focus upon areas in-between fingers as well as beneath the nails, such are the safe heaven for bacteria.

Likewise, alcohol based sanitizer should always be used regularly, in fact, such formulations should be made a regular item in our grocery list.

Finally, while pulling, pushing or turning the door and window handles, always bring a tissue or a paper towel in between hand and the metallic surface.

Is Social Distancing Really Worth It?

Most preferred and admired way of preventing the possible spread of COVID-19 otherwise. In schools, offices, markets, streets, highways as well as at other public locations, the children of Adam and Eve are always seen hanging out in a large number for reasons pretty various and obvious and thence, a potential way of infection is there.

As such is a pandemic threatening humans at large, everyone among us, needs to partake in the prevention drive which is called, “flattening the curve” such is a collective social responsibility of all of us sharing this planet.

Virus Lifespan on Surface And In Air:  

Here, plastic and steel are regarded as the conducive bases for coronavirus while detection can be made for upto 3 days even though effect gets minimizes, once 48 hours are passed. Such an insight has found space in New England journal of Medicine. Going further, on cardboards, such nasty beings can be detected  for upto 24 hours, while talking about copper it is beyond recognition once 3 hours fly by.

As for measuring air, no substantial proof is found so far. Virus goes aerial following their release in droplets from coughing or sneezing but get to surface immediately. Besides, there are studies pinpointing that genetic matter of this virus still prevails in the air and gets to circulation easily, even though research is underway to uncover possible airborne transmission.

How would diagnosis and testing for COVID-19 useful?

WHO issued guidelines for lab testing here, asking doctors to seek numerous samples such as nose and throat swabs, blood and sputum drawn from lower wind pipe comprising our system of respiration. Now in labs, efforts simply centre-around spotting the traces of genetics of the virus, implementing the technique known as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). If virus presence comes to light, the RNA part is copied under this procedure, which happens to be the genetic matter of virus, specific to SARS-COV2.

Condition For Successful Testing:

The condition, however, is that one needs to carry virus in abundance to bring it forth during tests. Now, if a person has infection but not a major quantity of virus circulating in body, it would be beyond recognition.

In other words, every infected person may not yield a positive test result, which is a negative side of efforts put out in its treatment.

How accurate are the COVID-19 Tests?

Frustratingly, initial CDC diagnostic kits were not found to be precise and this aspect impeded the capability of private and government labs to carry out testing in proper way. Gradually, private labs and even the academic institutions of science were allowed to conduct tests, but still, test efficiency is still an uphill task.

What about an antibody test and what exactly is the purpose behind it?

To combat this dreaded infection, our white blood cells produce proteins which are called antibodies and such mingle with the virus and restrict its further flow while the best part is that such can remain inside body even after virus dissipates.

Now, the purpose of such tests is to detect one’s exposure to viruses in recent past, especially for those who suffered recently but have made a smooth recovery. It is cloudy as to how long will such immunity remains there.

That was on March 25^th this year, that an order to conduct 3.5 million tests was passed in UK, simply to figure out the vulnerability to this virus among commoners. People were asked for a drop o blood (which was a drop in ocean in mega fight against COVID-19). According to David Weiner, who sits as a Director at Vaccine And Immunotheraphy Centre, present in Wistar Institute in Philadelphia and Charles Cairns, who is Drexel University College of Medicine Dean, in Britain, there is a determined way to conduct such antibody tests which would work in multiple ways. Like, either the human antibodies are scanned in blood when antigen is used, identical to the virus or virus presence in blood is brought to light when a human-made antibody is set out in stream, simply to attract and hold on to the virus.

Are young people at risk to COVID-19?       

Yes, youngsters are heavily under its ghastly impact, even though such are considered to be with robust immunity. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention puts forth data showing that every 3 in 5 are said to be those in the age group of 20 to 50 years, while conversely, older people are seen recovering fast but still, exceptions happen. Clearly, the evidence negates the viewpoint that youngsters (being robust in terms of immunity)are away from its claws and anyone from any age group can fall within its life-threatening impact.

What strains (inherent character) and in what number does COVID-19 have?

National Science Review showcased an insight as on March 3, where claim was made that COVID-19 has (and attacks)only 2 versions and level of severity also varies. Those are type “L” and “S”. Insight is backed by a research made on 103 patients where a specific mutation of some viruses has come to light. “L” type viruses prevailed in Wuhan, China during initial phase of such virus flare-up and inflicted more ghastly symptoms.

But, experts concluded by stating that mutation showed no control over the proteins of viruses and it is not likely to go lenient on the severity of the disease, wherever it strikes.

When will this all end?     

To our grief….. Yes, you got it! The answer is not yet known and the query is not lesser than a challenge. As on March 11, WHO declared the disease to be a pandemic, in the backdrop of its swift spread and magnitude of problems and devastation it has unleashed around the world. Besides, there is every possibility that virus begins navigation like us and in us, as influenza or common colds do. Though, not much evidence to believe that virus would become seasonal like flu.

As of now, let’s brace up for this menace to be grow worser before any controllable measures are initiated. On the their part, experts send a shivers down the spines when they express inability to contain the virus spread as well as its safe stage, just like SARS and MERS. Not surprisingly, the virus will still prevail and to vanish it completely, herd community concept will need to be implemented.

By Herd community, we mean what number of a given population should be strengthened for their immune system to face this health and life issue so as to protect the whole population.

There are scores of factors to affect such percentage, such as our behaviour and researchers argue that under herd community cover for COVID-19, can vary from one-third to two-thirds of given population in specific location.

Now, while considering from a global scale perspective, it comes to be around 2.5 to 5 billion individuals.