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pandemic

The Truth About Coronavirus Vaccine in India: Is Coronavirus Vaccine safe?

by qalfit January 12, 2021

written by qalfit

India’s drugs regulator had recently approved Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for restricted emergency use. The vaccination drive is all set to begin across the country to initially inoculate three crore healthcare and frontline workers. But health experts and critics raise several concerns and questions over the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine in India. So, is the coronavirus vaccine safe? Let’s uncover the truth behind the coronavirus vaccine in India.

What are the Approved Coronavirus Vaccines in India?

Currently (As of 06-01-2021), India has approved two vaccines- Covishield vaccine developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India and the Covaxin vaccine that is developed by Oxford University and Astra Zeneca, and produced in India by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR). On 03-01-2021, the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) Dr. VG Somani granted the emergency use authorization to Covishield and Covaxin based on the recommendation of the Subject Expert Committee (SEC).

According to the suggestions made by the National Expert Group on vaccine Administration for COVID-19, the central government will directly procure the vaccine supplies and distribute them throughout the nation.

Concerns Regarding the Coronavirus Vaccine in India:

One of the major concerns that various health experts have expressed regarding the coronavirus vaccine in India is the absence of Phase 3 trial data on Covaxin. The only phase two clinical trials have shown efficacy and phase three trials are still ongoing. The SEC granted accelerated approval and restricted emergency usage to these vaccines considering the existing pandemic situation, high mortality, and lack of definitive treatment. Although the health ministry had earlier stated that the COVID-19 vaccination will be voluntary, health experts and critics have cautioned that giving premature clearance to the vaccine could risk the lives and fuel vaccine hesitancy in India.

When can we Receive the Coronavirus Vaccine in India?

According to the Union Health Ministry, the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in India will most likely be administered on January 13. This would be the Covishield vaccine which has been developed by the University of Oxford and produced locally by the Serum Institute of India.

How Long will the Vaccine be Effective?

The coronavirus was only just discovered at the end of 2019 and with the speed at which the vaccines were approved, there is no clear information on how long this vaccine will be effective. It is quite certain that the vaccines have long-lasting protection but the actual length of time is unknown. This is not just the case for Covishield and Covaxin vaccines but also for other vaccines including Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines.

How Effective will this Vaccine be in the General Population?

Technically, no vaccine is perfect and it takes time to provide protection. Although you get strong protection against COVID-19 after receiving the vaccination, there is still a chance that you could get infected with the virus. Because even after you get these vaccines, it may take several weeks for your body to start building immunity against the virus. So, realistically speaking, you could get sick with the virus, just before or even just after getting the vaccination.

Should the People who had Already been Affected by COVID-19 be Vaccinated?

Health experts advise that those who have already had COVID-19 still get the vaccine. Because natural infection with coronavirus only gives you some degree of immunity, and it doesn’t give you full protection. The COVID-19 vaccines are specifically designed to neutralize the virus and its ability to infect. So, even if had been infected with the virus before, getting vaccinated gives you an extra layer of protection against the virus.

To conclude, although many of us are believing that vaccines are the end of COVID-19 and life will be back or normal after vaccination, this is not entirely the case. As mentioned, vaccines are not 100% fail-proof, so, we need a greater community effort to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 12, 2021 0 comment

Secondhand smoke with coronavirus background

Fitness

Coronavirus from secondhand smoke – How do you avoid this?

by qalfit September 21, 2020

written by qalfit

We all know that cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals and substances that can cause cancer. These are substances you wouldn’t want anywhere near your body. However, some people cannot resist their smoking habit and it is not only them that are affected by it. Non-smokers can also get serious health issues by inhaling second-hand smoke. So, what if a person standing next to you is infected with coronavirus and is exhaling cigarette smoke in your direction? Can you get coronavirus from secondhand cigarette smoke? Can smoking cause corona?

What we know about coronavirus so far

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) coronavirus is a new strain in a family of viruses that range from the common cold to much more serious diseases.
Symptoms of coronavirus infection range from respiratory problems to cases of pneumonia, the build-up of fluid in the lungs, and kidney failure.
Coronavirus is spread through close contact with infected people via oral and nasal secretions including saliva and respiratory droplets. These are released from the mouth or nose when someone coughs, speaks, or sneezes.
The virus can stay up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and plastic, and up to 3 days on stainless steel.
Older people and those with illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure are highly susceptible to the coronavirus.

Can smoking cause corona? What do experts say?

Before examining the phenomenon of catching coronavirus from secondhand smoke, let us examine the habit of smoking itself. The act of taking off one’s mask to smoke puts others at risk. Although the government across the world has advised people to wear a face mask in public, there is one crucial difference between exhaling breath and exhaling smoke through the mask. You can easily breathe through a face mask, but you cannot smoke through it. Since the act of smoking or vaping requires the person to take off the mask, this is considered a high-risk environment for anyone in the area.

According to health experts, coronavirus is spread through oral and nasal secretions including saliva and respiratory droplets from the infected persons. When the infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings, these droplets are exhaled into the atmosphere. In the case of smoking, smokers are not only potentially spreading without the mask, but are also blowing droplets to the people around them. This, as a result, puts others in the vicinity at risk to contract coronavirus from secondhand smoke.

Smokers themselves might be at a greater risk since smoking increases the risk of coronavirus infection. According to research by the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, smoking was associated with more than a doubling of odds of coronavirus progression in people who have already developed COVID-19.

So, it is plausible that you may be able to contract the coronavirus from secondhand smoke from an infected smoker.

How do you avoid getting coronavirus from secondhand smoke?

1. Masks should be your No.1 Priority

One absolute thing you need to keep in mind is that COVID-19 still exists and the possibility of getting coronavirus from cigarette smoke is very real. So always wear masks. Even if you are in a situation where you cannot avoid secondhand smoke, wearing a mask reduces your risk of infection. As a result, your risk from catching coronavirus from secondhand smoke is greatly minimized.

Two white masks laying over each other on a red background — Masks are still your number 1. line of defense against Covid19

2. The eight feet rule to prevent coronavirus from second hand smoke

Health experts recommend maintaining a six feet gap in public to avoid the spread of coronavirus. But one thing to note here is that smoke travels further than air droplets and you need more than the six feet rule to save yourself from infection. So, maintain at least 8 feet distance to avoid getting coronavirus from secondhand smoke. Ask smokers not to smoke in your home or your car and keep the windows open.

Maroon pawn chess piece set aside from a group of red pawns — Smoke travels further than air droplets and therefore you need more than the prescribed six feet gap

3. Avoid smoking areas to prevent coronavirus from secondhand smoke

Avoid areas such as restaurants or similar places where smoking is allowed. If your co-workers take a smoke break, try to avoid it too. Even if someone tries to smoke around you, politely mention that it’s not safe and that it makes you cough. Constant awareness of your surroundings and go a long way towards making sure you do not contract coronavirus from secondhand smoke.

A man with a hat smoking next to a woman — Avoid areas that have smoking sections or similar places where smoking is allowed

Not only does smoking increase the risk of coronavirus infection but also puts second-hand smokers at risk too. Breathing in second-hand smoke increases the risk of coronavirus infection and can cause serious smoking-related health problems. So, keep these tips in mind to avoid getting coronavirus from secondhand smoke and remember, if you’re able to smell cigarette smoke, you’re still standing too close to the smoker.

September 21, 2020 0 comment

Lifestyle

4 fun & safe outdoor activities you can do in this lockdown

by qalfit July 16, 2020

written by qalfit

It has been more than 2 months since we isolated ourselves in our home over the potential danger of catching the coronavirus infection. Although it’s for our own safety, most of us are constantly pulled between the restless feeling of staying indoors and the fear of coronavirus infection outdoors. Now, with the ease of lockdown restrictions, we have a chance to go back outdoors and indulge in outdoor activities.

Is it ok to go out and indulge in outdoor activities now?

While activities like going to a restaurant or visiting a public place is still risky, there are so many fun & safe outdoor activities you can do in this lockdown that are acceptable to take part in whilst self-isolating. Medical experts claim that any outdoor activities are safe as long as you do it alone or with someone from your household in a place that isn’t crowded. You just need to make sure that your hands are clean, and disinfect shoes and clothes before you get inside your home.

So, if you’re running out of patience to explore and enjoy the outdoors, here are 5 fun & safe outdoor activities you can do in this lockdown.

1. Urban hiking

Nothing can give you the awesome feeling of being with nature like a good hiking trip. With the lockdown restrictions on effect, you can plan a one-day hiking trip to a safe place that is not dangerously overcrowded or you can go urban hiking. You can embrace the urban environment by adventuring through your neighbourhood, climbing stairwells, crossing intersections and wandering through the city’s obstacles of life. Make sure you follow social distancing and wash your hands if you come in contact with any object outdoors.

2. Outdoor picnic.

One reason why your chance of infection is lower outside is, it’s easier to maintain social distance outdoors and the virus has to navigate humidity, wind and heat to jump between people. This is why picnicking is a perfectly safe activity to do in this lockdown. Pack some food, go to a place that’s far away from the concrete jungle and enjoy nature. It is important to spread out and face the same direction (opposite to the wind) while picnicking.

3. Create a Nature collection

This is a great outdoor activity for everyone who would like to explore nature. Take your children with you and get out to a local green space and explore the trees and plans there. Pick some natural items like twigs and leaves that your children can touch and describe. This would be a great opportunity for them to appreciate nature and learn new words at the same time.

4. Bird watching

Birdwatching is one of the best things you could do in this lockdown. With less human interruption and less pollution for the past 2 months, there are more birds in the sky now. Even the birds that shy away from humans are suddenly showing up in the cities. This is probably one of the few gifts that this lockdown bestowed upon us. Some even say that we would never get another chance like this to watch the birds. All you need to do is to grab your binoculars and get out!

Maintaining social distancing is the most important thing you can do when you enjoy outdoors. We know that it’s frustrating to be at home all the time, but you have to keep in mind that it’s still not 100% safe out there. So, be extra mindful and try out these 5 fun & safe outdoor activities in this lockdown.

July 16, 2020 0 comment

Lifestyle

5 tips to make your grocery shopping safer

by qalfit July 10, 2020

written by qalfit

We are all being advised to stay at home to help flatten the curve. However, there are some trips to the outside world that we cannot avoid, like grocery shopping. Going to the grocery store is both essential and inevitable. Especially now, with relaxed restrictions, more and more people visit the grocery store. This means you have to be extra careful now more than ever. Here are a few tips to make your grocery shopping safer.

1. Plan ahead with a Shopping list

The less time you spend outside, the lesser your chance of catching the infection is. Try to minimize your time at the grocery shopping store as much as possible by avoiding aimless wandering through the aisles. In such cases, planning ahead with a shopping list can help you shorten the lengths of your shopping trips. Not to mention, a shopping list can also save you from unnecessary buying of products.

2. Disinfect your shopping cart

According to a study done by reusethisbag website, the carts and bags at the grocery shopping store have 361 times more bacteria than a bathroom knob. So, before touching the shopping cart, disinfect the handlebar and child seat with a sanitizer. Also, remember to keep a safe distance of 2 grocery carts between you and others.

3. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)

Health experts claim that coronavirus can live on plastic surfaces for up to 3 days. This means those single-use plastic bags they give you at the grocery store can infect you with coronavirus. This is why you need to consider bringing your own bag to the grocery store. So, try to bring reusable bags made of cloth to the grocery store and remember to immediately wash these bags every time you get back from the store.

4. Shop the outside of the store last

Ever wondered why the fresh produce is laid out front and staples like milk, eggs, and bread are in the back in your grocery shopping store? It’s a marketing strategy designed to make you stay longer, roam the whole store, and buy more. In the middle of a pandemic, this is exactly what you want to avoid. So, shop in the centre of the store first and grab your perishables last.

5. Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk doesn’t mean loading your shopping cart with 1 month’s supply of things. This only causes unnecessary demands and shortages. So, try to buy one or two weeks of groceries at a time. This will help you reduce the number of trips you’re making to the grocery store. Also, when buying fruits and vegetables in bulk, be aware that they will go to waste if you don’t store them in a refrigerator.

Grocery shopping is necessary. But in times like these, rushing through the aisles with a loaded cart and dodging other shoppers can be pretty uncomfortable. So, try to keep these tips in mind and make your grocery shopping safer.

July 10, 2020 0 comment

Lifestyle

Coronavirus in India: Should we panic?

by qalfit March 13, 2020

written by qalfit

As coronavirus spreads in India with 80+ confirmed cases so far, people are rushing to medial stores to buy hand sanitizers and face masks for coronavirus and several IT companies closed their offices temporarily. But is this ‘Coronavirus in India’ panic really necessary?

coronavirus in India | temperature checking

Coronavirus, which is spreading panic across many parts of the world for the past few months, has reached India through affected foreigners visiting India and Indian citizens who caught the virus on the foreign land. The first case of coronavirus in India was reported on February 3 in Kerala where three medical students who had returned from Wuhan, China, were tested positive for coronavirus, they were treated and cured in one month. But the coronavirus outbreak is still at large in other parts of the world with more than 10,00,000 cases and 3000 deaths in nearly 100 countries so far.

A sudden panic has crept over India overnight as it has seen a swift increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the past two days. But WHO (World Health Organization) releases a statement saying that there is no need to panic, as cases tested positive for coronavirus in India were because of citizens travelling abroad to the affected countries. This panic in India is also largely due to the rumours and misinformation spread via social media. People only highlight the affected cases whereas more than half of the cases were cured. In fact, the mortality rate of Covid-19 is only 3.4% according to the latest WHO estimates when compared to the mortality rate of dengue fever and malaria in India which is nearly 20%.

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Although there is no vaccine yet, for coronavirus, it is still curable. Only elderly people, kids and people with low immunity power are susceptible to death from the coronavirus. Also, the Indian government has started universal screening for all passengers flying into the country from abroad for the virus at the airports besides testing people coming in through open borders. So, the panic for coronavirus in India is at this point not necessary. But this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take any necessary precautions to protect ourselves from the virus. we can still maintain our basic hygiene like washing our hands often, covering our mouth while sneezing, avoiding gathering at crowded places and most importantly rushing to a doctor as soon as possible if we feel sick.

March 13, 2020 0 comment

Lifestyle

N-95 masks for the Coronavirus (Covid-19): Does it protect us from the deadly disease?

by qalfit March 3, 2020

written by qalfit

Amidst all the commotion regarding the Covid-19 (Coronavirus), N-95 masks are flying off the shelves all around the world as people believe these masks protect them from the virus. But what is this N-95 mask for the coronavirus and does it really protect us from Covid -19? Here is everything that you want to know about the N-95 mask.

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What is N-95 mask?

While the normal surgical masks can help reduce the spread of the virus by blocking large particle droplets and splatters from reaching the wearer’s mouth and nose, N-95 masks are pollution masks designed to filter out dust particles and pollutants.

But does N-95 mask filter out viruses and bacteria?

The N-95 masks are tested to filter 95% of all particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger. Also, it is critical to understand that a normal virus does not float in the air by itself. The virus is transported from patient to patient on droplets of excretions from sneezing and coughing and these particles are typically 5 microns or larger. So, Technically yes. They are tighter fitting, specifically designed to effectively filter airborne particles including bacteria and viruses.

N-95 masks for the Coronavirus (Covid-19):

But doctors and health experts say that it is advisable only for the health workers and not necessary for the general public to wear N-95 masks because Covid-19 spreads through the droplets by the infected person to a healthy person if they are in a radius of 6 feet from them. But it is not guaranteed to provide 100% protection from the virus because if you don’t’ wear the mask properly or if it doesn’t fit you properly as the virus can still enter through the mask by the side gaps. So, this makes it useless for children and persons with facial hair to wear N-95 masks.

Summing up, the N-95 masks for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is not necessary at this point. Furthermore, the N-95 mask usage can make it difficult for a person to breathe, so it can become dangerous for someone who is already infected by Covid -19 or showing symptoms of infection which already includes lung infection and shortness of breath. While for the general public it is more than good to use N-95 masks, a normal surgical mask is sufficient for protection against the Covid -19 at this stage.

March 3, 2020 0 comment