Over the past few weeks, the novel coronavirus has wrecked havoc on planet Earth affecting every sphere of human life. Many countries have decided to enforce lockdowns to prevent the virus from spreading with India following suit too. The lockdown in India has been a gradual process that started off by screening passengers at the airport, home quarantining people, declaring a “Janta Curfew” and finally locking down the entire country.

There has been various attempts by the Govt and other communities to spread awareness, but at the same time various misconceptions and malpractices have crept up. So, I decided to get in touch with a professional to get her insights on the matter. Dr Sumana Chowdhury is a medical officer under the National Health Mission.

Excerpts from the interview.

What is your view on the decisions taken by the Indian Govt to control the community spread of Corona?

I am pretty optimistic about all the steps and measures taken by the government to avert the foreseen massacre. They had already put a lock down on the states worst hit long before and then a country wide lock down was implemented which according to me is a vital step. But then, it all depends on how the Indian citizens choose to respond to the decisions taken by the government in their Goodwill.

Nationwide, there has been shortage of supplies like the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kit. But I hear, they are now focusing on manufacturing and providing these too, alongwith making necessary arrangements for the predicted upcoming casualty.

What is your advice to the people who are ignoring the basic principle of “social distancing”

This actually surprises me, or rather shocks me to see how people are ignorant about the situation in our fellow states. On my way to work, I regularly see people hovering over each other in grocery shops, in spite of being addressed by the honourable Prime Minister himself repeatedly on television and social media.

All I can ask people is to take it as much seriously as possible. Social distancing is the only key to reaching the other side of the crisis the world is facing right now. All I can do is ask people to understand the gravity of the situation we are in, its consequences and act accordingly.The government and the healthcare system can only motivate the masses, but it is all up to what people think and decide on their own.

We’ve seen various stupid beliefs creeping up like lighting candles, use of odd medicines. On a lighter one, which one seems the most creative “discovery” to you?

This is, I guess, the toughest of all questions you have been asking. I see people failing to do every other chore, but never forgetting to light a candle at their doorstep, thinking this will drive the virus away. Some have been worshipping the virus or maybe a figment of their imagination, some have started advising people to have betel leaf which, according to them, is the cure for the health crisis. But what amazed me the most is how people misunderstood our honourable Prime Minister’s ode to healthcare workers as a means to drive the virus away.

I have had forwarded WhatsApp messages regarding some particular time of the evening and some particular alignment of the moon, which when combined with the noise of beating up steel and aluminum utensils will drive virus away. All I can say is I love my country for being so creative. My only regret is that the time to showcase such creativity is rather inappropriate.

What are some practices which we should follow and some which we should avoid?

As media has repeatedly been stressing on the fact that this virus is highly contagious, we should avoid physical contact with people as much as possible. It transmits by something we call “fomites”. Fomites means the things or particles which have been soiled with the secretions (nasal, nasopharyngeal in this case) of the person infected. Now, the main trouble lies here.

You will never know who is infected. Some might be in their incubation period with absolutely no symptoms, while some might be symptomatic. So, the best thing to do is just remain as much socially distant as possible.

Avoid touching unnecessary things while you go out to shop or on your way to work. And once you get back home, proper handwashing is important, followed by usage of sanitizers containing alcohol. Steps of proper handwashing have been incessantly been shared on social media and television. Use of mask is mostly recommended for the person who is infected. Avoid touching of nose, mouth, eyes without washing hands. Avoid being in places which are crowded.

And last but not the least, cooperate with the government. All are trying to fight the disease in their own creative ways. Let us now start working together.