In December 2019 the COVID-19 outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of International concern on 30th January 2020 and recognized it as a pandemic on the 11th March 2020. As of 03rd of April 2020 (01:34 GMT), 1,015,466 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 203 countries and territories, resulting in 53,190 deaths. United States of America (USA), Italy, Spain and France can be considered as most affected countries by COVID-19 because those countries have the highest number of infected patients and deaths as of now. In Sri Lanka, there are 151 confirmed cases, 4 deaths and 21 have completely recovered until now. Globally, more than 212,229 people have recovered until now. But the problem remains serious as it was before with the continuous increase of the number of affected people (as at 31st of March 2020).
Covid-19 cases on world map
The virus is mainly spread due to close contact and by inhaling droplets produced when people sneeze or cough. People may also get exposed to this virus by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their face. It is possible that the virus can spread among multiple people through a single person even though the symptoms cannot be seen. The time duration of a person being symptomatic can be 2 to 14 days. Fever, cough and shortness of breath are the common symptoms of this disease. A specific vaccine or an antiviral treatment are not yet to be known but, there are preventive procedures recommended by the World Health Organization to keep ourselves away from being infected.
Did you know, that people touch their faces an average of 23 times an hour? 44% of those touches were to the mouth, nose and eyes which are the pathways where the infections can easily find a way in. Clean hands will always prevent you from bacteria, viruses and other diseases. As we fight the COVID-19, it is really important that we keep our hands away from our faces. Covering your mouth when you’re coughing and covering your nose with a tissue paper when you are sneezing will prevent others from inhaling the droplets. Disposing the tissue and washing hands after that will keep you hygienic.
A person must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. As the doctors explain, each and every person must maintain at least a distance of one meter from another person especially when you go outdoors. It is advised to stay indoors and away from crowded places. Self-isolation is the best remedy to monitor the symptoms for people who suspect that they are infected. If a person has the above mentioned common symptoms, it is better to get medical precautions before the situation gets worse. As a country, many efforts have taken into action to prevent the spread of this virus by quarantines, curfews, travel restrictions, event postponements and cancellations, incoming passenger restrictions and bans in airports and etc. In a situation like this, everyone has a responsibility to do their part.
COVID-19 has already affected the whole world by leading the countries into socioeconomic obstructions, worldwide fears of supply shortages which have urged panic buying, schools and universities are closed in more than 160 countries affecting more than 1.5 billion student’s education and postponements of sports events, cultural functions, religious events as such. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics as an example has been postponed for the first time until 2021. In our country, month of April is a very festive season for both Sinhalese and Tamils. Our country will lose the tourism of this season which will highly affect the economy. Due to this current situation, the value of the rupee has also depreciated again. This can be considered as a tiresome situation because Sri Lanka was in the process of recovering from the damages caused by the Easter attack in 2019.
It is not only the government’s duty to protect people in the country from getting infected but also it is our duty to cooperate with them as well. The Entire health sector in the country, all the forces of the country including the police and other responsible individuals are working incessantly day and night just to keep us, the country safe from this deadly Corona Virus. As an individual, you have a very small duty to complete. Taking the efforts to keep yourselves away from this virus is more than enough. All you have to do is wash your hands, stay indoors and remember to wear a mask if you are going outdoors for an unavoidable reason. If not, stay indoors as much as you can. Every citizen of the country must be responsible enough in a situation like this but, are you responsible enough?
References: https://www.who.int/
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