How To Stay Prepared For The Novel Coronavirus – The Pandemic

What kicked off as a mysterious infection with flu-like symptoms in China’s Wuhan City is now sweeping off the world and has already infected millions of lives and counting. The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, so much so that the World Health Organization declared the virus as a Global Pandemic. With the increase in the cluster of cases across the globe, it’s time to shield ourselves and everyone around us with better hygiene practices, stronger immune systems, and staying prepared for the crisis that’s on its way.

In this battle against COVID-19, the entire world has come together to help their citizens and population in general with preventive measures in order to keep the virus at bay. But is it tapering off anytime soon? No! While some countries recorded tens of hundreds of cases, some are about to experience what we’d call a health catastrophe.

Considered to be the virus that’s going to chase all of us down, the only option we’ve got is to be prepared – physically and otherwise. , and yes – TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

There are 2 major vaccines available in the market right now.

International: Covishield
National: Covaxin

You can take any of the vaccines. Both have 2 doses which are meant to be given a set number of days apart. More about COVID vaccination is covered later in this article.

What to do when you are infected?

Have you caught the virus? Here are some things that you should remember.

1. Isolate yourself from your family:

The first thing is to isolate yourself. Stay in a separate room and do not come in contact with your family to avoid them from catching the infection.

2. Take your medications regularly:

Consult a Pulmanologist or a general physician or even your family doctor and let them know about your condition. Take your medications on time. Alongside, what’s also important is to take complete rest. You must also eat healthy food to fight the virus along with taking medications. Avoid oily food. Eat your meals properly and also consume fruits and milk.

3. Utilise your time:

Being stuck in a room is boring. DO the DIYs you’ve been wanting to do or work on your passion. You will find it really useful and therapeutic.

Did someone in your family get infected? Here’s what you should do.

1. Do not bombard them with questions about when and how they cought the virus. You can save them for later.
2. Separate their dishes and other items of use.
3. Let them isolate in a room that also has a bathroom.
4. Use gloves if you have to touch any of the items that have been touched like their dishes they eat food in and dispose the gloves later. Sanitise yourself constantly if you are the caretaker of an infected patient.

COVID is serious and SARS- COV-2 virus is the worst one of it yet. The virus has complications that can be dangerous. Thus it is imperative that you take the right measures at the right time if you are caught in the hurricane of the health crises going on right now.

Patients need utmost care when they catch the virus. However youngsters can recover from the infection better and without many complications, with many exceptions recorded however especially in COV-2. But those in our parents age group might face complications that can be a nightmare for everyone in the family.

Challenges faced in SARS COV-2 and how to deal with them?

Here are some of the challenges you might face while trying to hospitalise a loved one and how to deal with them. If someone you love catches the virus, some of the things that are needed are Oxygen, specialist medicines and hospitalisation.

Hospital beds
You could find a bed in a hospital inspite of the bed crises. Just reach out to everyone you know who could help you. Contacting people you trust will give you better results. You never know who’s call can make a bed available in a reputed hospital for your loved one.

How to arrange Ramdesevir?
Ramdesevir and other drugs like Tucilizuamb and Olumiant are something the doctor might prescribe if the patient’s health is getting critical. If you are unable to find it in any of the selling points, you need to call everyone you think can help in your entire family and friends and you might get the doses. Many people stock up their refrigerators with the doses beforehand so they can use them if needed. These doses can benefit you if you agree to pay a certain amount. You are most likely to not face people unwilling to help in this situation well unless you have made some serious damage to your relationships in the past. Lesson learnt…

How to arrange Tucilizuamb?
It is in the sole hands of the government authorities to sanction Tucilizuamb and it will be done directly to the hospitals, not to individuals. Thus ask your hopital to send an email to dme@telangana.gov.in with the details of the patients. Once the request has been sent, just wait for the response. You can lso follow up by sending a follow up email through the hospital itself and also send a request from your end referring to the email which was sent. Don’t spam them with emails though.

Oxygen cylinders:
Many COVID positive patients are being provided oxygen at home by their family members or specialist doctors. Apollo has created COVID care packages for those affected where care is provided at home by professionals. However if oxygen itself does not help you may have to go for CPAP or a ventilator in the future.

COVID essential instruments (FAQs)

1. What are the necessary instruments to have to be prepared for COVID?

Be prepared for COVID with these essential instruments
a. A Pulse oximeter – reads your oxygen levels in SPO2
b. A thermometer – to check your temperature when you feel feverish
c. A steamer – To constantly inhale steam. If you want to know which are the best steamers to buy, you can check out our detailed article.

2. How to use an oximeter?

In order to use an oximeter, simply insert your middle finger of the right hand into the machine. Place the tip of the finger on the red light. Don’t forget to press the button on the top of the device to turn it on. Once the device is on, you will feel a distinct sensation on your finger tip. Wait for a few seconds and measure the SPO2 levels that show on the display.

3. How to use a digital thermometer

Switch the thermometer on. Long press the main button until you see Low F (Farenhite), or Low (Celsius) whichever unit you prefer. Once you see the same, place the metallic tip of the thermometer under your armpit. Once you hear a beeping sound, remove the thermometer from under your armpit and check out the readings.

The Best thermometers available online that you can buy right now.

What happens post recovery? (FAQs)

1. How long should you stay in isolation after being infected with COVID-19
14 days

2. Should you take another test for COVID after being tested positive once?
If you take a test after the isolation period is over, or after one additional week of isolation, you may get your test results Negative if the virus is not present in your system anymore.

3. Can I take a vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19?
You may take the vaccination even if you have tested positive for COVID-19. However, do wait for a specified duration of time which will depend on your health, recovery, age and some other factors. Let your doctor advise you on when you should be taking the vaccine.

4. Can I still develop medical issues even after recovery from COVID?
It is possible that you may face medical issues for the damage that the virus has caused inside of your body if any. A mild infection even after you have tested negative may happen. Taking the right medicines and following doctor’s advice will help you recover from the ailment soon.

Prevention is Better than Cure

While the conspiracy theories and the chatter across the globe continues, let us help you with remedies to prevent Coronavirus from happening in the first place and what is essential during the hard times. Read on!

How to not get infected with COVID-19?
Clearly, not everybody in this world is going to get the virus. So here are a few things that you can keep in mind in order to keep the unwanted guests out of your doors.

Stay Prepared For Coronavirus Outbreak?

While people are indulging in unbalanced commentary on almost all the social media platforms, it’s important to steer clear of fiction and believe in facts. COVID-19 has already affected almost every country including India with total death tolls rising with the speed of a bullet. Many states like Delhi, Maharashtra and Telangana have implemented a lockdown. Here is what you should do to keep yourselves and your families safe and stocked if you or any of your family members is a Covirgin or have recovered.

1. First Things First, Don’t Panic

Falling in the trap of the rumor mongers can only cause panic and anxiety amidst the mass. During this crucial time, what’s important is to isolate yourself from the rumors and only stay informed with the required knowledge about the Pandemic to bolster confidence to win the fight against COVID -19.

2. Increase Your Immunity

Boosting immunity is a must during this time of public health apocalypse. Eat foods that are rich in Vitamins C, B6, D3 and E. Having oranges, kiwis, spinach, bell peppers, clove, strawberries, nuts, etc. can help you build better immunity to tackle the virus from proliferation. Honestly, it’s the game of immunity that can break or make the virus.

3. Ramp Up The Hygiene Game

Seriously, be Bunty and wash your hands with soap for a good 20 seconds. The World Health Organization has advised the world to wash up as much as possible and stay clean, to sanitize our homes, and maintain regular hygiene. Keep alcohol-based sanitizers handy and wipe away germs as much as possible.

4. Isolate Yourself From Social Gathering

All you party animals, it’s time to lock yourselves in your home and spend some Me-time rediscovering the ‘you’ that you almost lost in the humdrum of daily chores. Go out a little less, explore great offers on online shopping to indulge in retail therapy if you please but don’t step out unless very necessary.

5. Don’t Touch Your Face

Whether it’s tucking your hair behind your hair or touching your face frequently while thinking, get rid of this habit now. To keep the virus at bay, you gotta keep your hands away from your face unless the hands are super clean. Be responsible and informed.

6. Wear a Mask – Always

If it was not just for wearing masks when you go out, you may also have to wear a mask while being at home. Especially if you have COVID positive cases inside your house or one of your family members have been exposed to the virus.

7. Maintain Social Distancing

A distance of 5 feet from other people will make sure that the virus coming present in the aerosol coming out from their mouths when they talk, even if it makes it out through defective or incorrectly worn masks, does not reach you. Maintaining social distance is one of the most important things you must do to stay safe.

Practical Tips For Coronavirus Preparation & Prevention

The DO-s: What Should You Do During The Coronavirus Lockdown?

  • Spend time with family and share authentic news about COVID that you know of.
  • Work on yourself – eat healthy; exercise daily (in your home), learn new things, meditate, enroll for free online courses to keep you busy so you don’t fall in the temptation of going out for a walk or to Starbucks while learning something new.
  • Make arrangements for some instant food for kids and old people at home.
  • Keep basic medicines like Paracetamol, Anti-allergics, etc handy at home to stay prepared when the pharmacy is shut
  • Clean the faucets in your bathroom and kitchen, the door handles, the floor of the house with anti-bacterial cleaner
  • Drink warm water as much as you can
  • Wear a mask if you are around sick people

The DON’T-s: What Should You Not Do During The Coronavirus Outbreak

  • Do not go out in public places – the lockdown happened for a reason
  • Avoid shaking hands with people
  • Do not go near people having flu – better safe than sorry
  • Don’t go to work if you have any symptoms of the virus
  • Do not spread social forwards that are not factual. Keeping a safe distance from rumor mongers who create a panic is the best decision

Prepare Well To Weather The Storm

Amidst the chaos, people are stocking up their homes with everything that they can possibly think of. Instead of losing your breath during this adversity, it’s time to maintain the calm and make a list of what you’d need at the wee-hours. Here’s what you should consider buying if you have kids, old people, pets, or sick people at home.

Non-Perishable Food Items – Purchase packets of skimmed milk, cereals, Maggi, ready to cook oats packets, etc to cure the hunger pangs when ordering food or going out to get something isn’t feasible.

First Aid Kit – It’s a good idea to keep a first-aid kit handy at home. In addition to the basic medicines, you should get your regular drugs if you are undergoing medication, some anti-allergic tablets, etc.

Baby Foods and Essentials – Whether it’s a medical crisis or an avalanche, keep baby food stocked up is mandatory. If you have an infant or a small child at home, keep packets of Cerelac, biscuits, and other baby foods ready at home before a nationwide shutdown is announced.

Pet Products – Your pets are a part of your family and it’s your duty to care for them during this hard time. Keep Pedigree, pet medicines, and other pet products at home so that your little ball of fur does not have to suffer.

Home Remedies To Boost Immunity

Not just the coronavirus but strong immunity can fight against almost all the diseases. Resort to dadima ke nuskhe (Grandmother’s Tips) to build up immunity that can not only keep you safe from COVID-19 but also from other viruses that keep creeping in every now and then.

Ginger, Tusli, Clove, Peppercorns Kadha – The magical properties of adrak, laung, kali mirch, tulsi ka kadha can help you in building strong immunity. This Ayurvedic home remedy to fight cold and cough can make you healthy and enhance metabolism.

Black Pepper and Honey – Mix black pepper powder with honey and have the mixture twice daily to keep your system immune to the seasonal virus.
Turmeric Milk – The anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are not unknown to people. Boil a glass of milk and add 1tbsp turmeric along with some honey, ginger, and black pepper. Drink it every night.

Should You Self-Quarantine Yourself?

Quarantine is the new buzz-word and everyone is talking about going ‘self-quarantined’. What’s the fuss all about? Quarantine was first practiced in the 14th Century to keep the coastal cities safe from the threat of the Plague that was ongoing during the time.

In today’s time when the Coronavirus has hit the world, you should consider isolating yourself from people to stay safe. However, if you have recently returned from a COVID-19 infected country, follow the quarentine rules as prescribed and observe any symptoms for the infection. In case you’re affected by the virus, you must quarantine in the same way.

The Verdict

India has recorded crores of cases from the Novel Coronavirus and the number is only spiraling up. So far, India experienced lakhs of fatalities due to the virus infection but it’s time to stop the crisis that’s approaching. With proper awareness and measures to combat the virus and its outbreak, we need to take the right actions, irrespective of the virus’s trajectory in the home country. It’s better to be safe than sorry and so, it’s our – the humanity’s – reliance on each other for keeping ourselves and our surroundings safe. Take measures to bat off the pandemic that’s engulfed the entire world. Stay strong and safe!

Jaya Dwivedi

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