The Pandemic of COVID – 19 has changed our lives. Nationally, globally, the world will never be the same, but living in fear or ignorance is not the answer. COVID-19 spreads quickly and is deadly; millions of deaths have occurred worldwide and here in India the number is increasing at a rate the county cannot keep up with. 

It’s time to stop the conspiracy theories; look at the facts, and do what needs to be done to move into the future without fear and with a new sense of hope. All over the world people are getting vaccinated. Countries that are vaccinating their citizens are getting back on track and seeing the numbers of cases and deaths decline. It’s time for all of us here in India to become Covid Warriors and get vaccinated. The history of science and medicine prove that vaccines save millions of lives each year. 

Why You Should Get Vaccinated

The COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you by creating antibodies (an immune system) response without having to suffer the extreme effects of the disease. The vaccine strengthens your immune system by instructing your body to recognize and fight this virus. 

Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill or dying due to COVID-19.

Getting vaccinated prevents you from spreading the COVID-19 virus to others. Protect your loved ones and community especially those at increased risk for severe illness and death.

Getting vaccinated may also stop this virus from replicating and mutating into even more serious variants of the disease.

When enough people in the community are vaccinated, it slows down the spread of disease increasing herd immunity. Evidence suggests that 70% of a population must get immunized before a country can lower their guard and start living normally without fear of this deadly disease. By getting vaccinated, our lives, ability to travel and the nation’s economy, will get back on track. Be part of the solution. Raise India’s percentage of vaccinated citizens.

Some people have reported a few side effects after being vaccinated. These are normal signs that your body is building protection against the disease. Side effects such as: a sore arm at the injection site, chills or tiredness, may affect your ability to do daily activities; however, they go away in a few days. The possibility of these side effects is a small price to pay when you look at how many people suffer severely and die from this disease.

If you have the opportunity to get vaccinated, consider yourself lucky. Vaccination is the best hope for ending the pandemic. 

Be a Covid Warrior – for yourself, your loved ones, community and Country – Get vaccinated.

Quickly getting to the point, in this article, we have listed a few easy and healthy recipes which may not cure any illness but will strengthen your immunity.

Lentil-Veggies Soup

Now that we are all stuck at home with no place to go, some delicious and nutritious can never be a bad thing.

Can it?

This lentil-veggie soup is power-packed that gives you all the germ-fighting immunity. All the good things right in a bowl full of healthy soup.

I mostly prefer wholesome ingredients like spinach, carrots, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, beans, and of course, lentils. You can go ahead and add more veggies if you like.

It is a one-pot recipe. Toss everything in a pot with a tiny bit of vegetable oil and cook the lentils till they are tender and cooked. You can use any oil of your choice, like canola, sunflower, soybean, and others. And there you are, a bowl full of yum veggies-lentil soup. You can customize the dish with all the flavorful spices, but sometimes a little bland is healthy.

The Green Goddess Salad

Everyone knows the goodness of salad. You can make a perfect creative mixture of all the wonderful veggies that are nutritious and healthy to keep yourself healthy in this time of global health crisis.

All the greens and violets and reds, your salad is going to taste and look heavenly.

In a bowl, add some sour cream, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and salt. You can also use mayonnaise instead of sour cream. Mix it all up for a flavorsome dressing. On a separate plate, slice some tomatoes and cucumber, add some lettuce, and top it off with the dressing.

Enjoy the Green Goddess Salad that’s easy and healthy!

Hemp Haldi(Turmeric) Doodh(Milk)

Before you go to bed after the lengthy work-from-home schedules, give some added taste and immunity to your body for a full night’s sleep.

Turmeric has numerous therapeutic uses. Incorporating it in our daily food habits other than just using it as a spice, can do wonders for your skin as well as overall health. And when clubbed with hemp hearts, it only gets better.

Mix two tablespoons of hemp hearts milk, one cup water, ½ teaspoon turmeric, a pinch of salt, nutmeg powder, pepper, and any sweetener of your choice, honey or jaggery. Adding a sweetener is entirely optional.

Blend it all up for an excellent before bed drink that is both yum and healthy. It not only promotes deep sleep but also provides the essential nutrients to enhance your body’s immune function.

Enjoy the drink loaded with all the benefits to shoo away Corona!

Stay home. Stay Safe!

But has it ever occurred to you that even your clothes can be contaminated? Can germs really live on your clothes?

There are so many questions that follow once the thought crosses your mind. Like how long does it live, or how can it be shooed away?

With different health organizations coming up with various possibilities, it only makes the people more scared and wary of the whole situation that the world has been pushed into.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing the used clothes in the warmest water setting. Once cleaned, dry them thoroughly. They also propose using disinfectant and disposable bag liners.

CDC also suggests, if you are cleaning someone else’s dirty clothes or even your own, you should wear disposable gloves and put them for a wash after every use. Then, wash your hands with soap or alcohol-based hand wash. Also, avoid placing the dirty clothes here and there in your homes before cleaning them properly.

There are also multiple products available in the market for disinfecting your clothes and other fabrics.

We would suggest, during these testing times with COVID-19, we should concentrate on clothing that is not only comfortable but also has other properties that help dodge the viruses.

Fashion designers are recently taking to exploring hemp clothes in a whole different way. Not just for its rusty look but majorly for its exceptional benefits like its antimicrobial properties, environment friendliness, and comfort levels.

Not many people know, but hemp is a carbon warrior as hemp plants absorb CO2 faster than other plants. It cleans more quickly with little water, it softens with time, saves you from UV rays, and is more durable than most natural fibers. Hemp also keeps you cool in summers and warm in winters.

However, according to Harvard Health, the coronavirus is likely to survive longer on harder surfaces than softer ones like clothing and other fabrics. But they also recommended changing over to fresh clothes immediately after coming home from anywhere outside.

The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, is still to be sure about the duration for which the virus lives on surfaces but has provided a piece of basic information saying that the virus could last for hours or several days on surfaces.

A major cloths renting enterprise, Rent the Runway has recently informed their customers that they are using optimal cleaning practices for their clothes. So there’s nothing to worry about.

It stresses that their process of cleaning the fabrics includes both wet and dry methods for thoroughly cleaned clothes after. They are steamed at about 248 to 302 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the different germs and viruses.

The bags and shades are also efficiently cleaned using alcohol and other disinfectants.

Significant brands like Walmart has also stressed on better hygiene, starting by disinfecting the shopping carts and regular cleaning in the high-traffic areas.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 has not just affected one of us but all of us. We hope you use to go for healthier and more breathable fabrics like hemp and cotton during this challenging time and keep out all the unwanted germs and viruses from your home.

Experts are suggesting that medicinal cannabis and CBD can affect or help recover from Coronavirus as it buffers up the immune system. Although it is yet to be proven, the benefits of hemp oil, CBD, and medicinal cannabis are not unknown.

Hemp oil among these is known for its exceptional benefits in providing an overall upliftment to your bodily functions. Be it, stress, joint pains, skin, metabolism, digestion, immunity, or even sleep, hemp oil does not go wrong.

Hemp oil extract is rich in many health-promoting compounds, especially those that interact with our endocannabinoid system—a widespread regulatory system that affects digestive and immune functions, brain health, and more.*

So, what exactly can hemp oil extract do? The research is quite compelling.

#1 It can help manage stress.*

The shaky, sweaty, nervous-stomach stressed state appears to be no match for phytocannabinoids.* A 2011 double-blind study found that 600 mg of the phytocannabinoid CBD administered to those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) 90 minutes before a public speaking test helped manage the physiological symptoms of stress.*

Participants maintained normal blood pressure and heart rate and reported lower levels of discomfort, resulting in a similar presentation as those without SAD.* In fact, a neuroimaging study found that participants had increased activity in the brain region associated with mediating stress when they took 400 mg of CBD oil than when they did not.*

#2 It can soothe aching joints.*  

Inflammation is responsible for the pain, swelling, and discomfort in musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis and gout. Phytocannabinoids have properties that can help manage these symptoms.* In fact, a survey of arthritis patients conducted by the Arthritis Foundation found that 79% of respondents reported having used, were currently using, or were considering using hemp oil extract.*

While more research is needed, animal studies suggest these patients may be on to something. In one animal study, it was found that arthritic mice that were given phytocannabinoids had lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines than those who were not.* Other studies have found that hemp oil extract can help manage cartilage breakdown.*

#3 It can support healthy immune function.*  

The endocannabinoid system closely interacts with and supports healthy immune function.* In fact, immune cells have cannabinoid receptors and even secrete their own endocannabinoids and have a transport system for these chemicals. Endocannabinoids exert an immune-modulating effect, enhancing immune function when needed, as well as down-regulating immune function in cases of autoimmune conditions.*

Although endocannabinoids are the cannabinoids the body produces itself, plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) like those found in hemp, can also interact with and bind to endocannabinoid receptors.* By supplementing the endocannabinoid system with phytocannabinoids, you can help further support the immune system.*

#4 It can help you sleep.* 

One in three American adults reports not getting enough sleep, according to the CDC. Lack of sleep, whether it is due to anxiety, diagnosed sleep disorders, or other disruptions, causes more than just groggy mornings; over time it can affect overall health.

Phytocannabinoids might help put some of those issues to bed. In a 2019 case series, 66% of the adults studied experienced better quality sleep after one month of CBD supplementation with dosages ranging from 25 to 75 mg per day.*

According to other research, phytocannabinoids do not negatively affect sleep cycles and can enhance REM sleep, the most restorative phase of sleep.*

#5 It’s good for your skin.

Hemp has antioxidant properties that help to nourish, revitalize, and support skin health. Specifically in the case of acne vulgaris, with overproduction of oils in sebaceous glands, hemp oil and its phytocannabinoids have been found to activate the endocannabinoid system in the skin, calming flare-ups and managing normal production of oily sebum.*

#6 It can support digestion.* 

Enteric glial cells are cells in the intestines that release pro-inflammatory cytokines in the GI tract. These glial cells are vital for surviving an infection, but they can also stimulate chronic gut inflammation, triggering and perpetuating digestive issues.

Hemp oil extract has been shown to help manage mast cells (cells that hold histamine) and the adverse effects of endotoxins (toxins contained within certain bacteria).* Some studies show hemp oil can help manage the symptoms of various bowel conditions, such as diarrhea, nausea, and cramping.*

Phytocannabinoids and the entourage effect

The CBD benefits you’ve no doubt heard about at this point have everything to do with CBD being a phytocannabinoid. Which, as renowned integrative physician Robert Rountree, M.D., puts it “Phyto just means ‘plant,’ and cannabinoids means ‘chemicals that affect the endocannabinoid system.'”

So, phytocannabinoids are substances found in the Cannabis sativa plant, as well as other plants like clove, that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.

Hemp oil extract labeled as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum incorporates the whole hemp plant, is high in CBD and other phytocannabinoids, encourages a synergistic effect, and enables the plant’s compounds to influence the body’s stress response, brain and immune function, gut health, fertility, and more.*

Here’s why: Products made from the whole plant rather than just an isolated ingredient such as CBD work together on your behalf, giving you more benefit.* Research has labeled this phenomenon the entourage effect.

When you give your body access to all of hemp’s beneficial compounds, such as terpenes (aromatic essential oils), flavonoids, phytocannabinoids, fatty acids, and more, you magnify hemp’s heath-inducing effects.*

Anything Else I Should Know About Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil can be purchased in various forms, including oil, capsule, and topical products. Although there is no standard dosage, integrative neurologist Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D., explains, when it comes to recommending a dose, it “really depends on what I am treating, and there is a wide range, but often up to 300 mg per day.”

Studies apply a range of doses, with most varying from 5 to 50 mg per kg of body weight per day or standard doses of 25 to 1,000 mg per day.

To make sure you are buying a quality product, look for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp oil extract to get the whole plant benefits, and ask for a third-party certificate of analysis if not readily available to ensure there are no contaminants, such as heavy metals.

The safety profile of hemp oil extracts and CBD is well-known and outperforms many other drugs’ safety profiles. Hemp oil extract appears safe for nearly everyone over the age of 2, even at a wide range of doses. It is not yet known if hemp oil extract is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

*If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.

But let’s shift our focus from global events to what’s really important in this critical time – your own well-being.

Regardless of if you’re a full-time student, a parent, or a workman, you must understand that putting yourself above others is the best thing you can do right now – not just for you but for others too.

Reading up on how you must proceed in the coming weeks and months is the first thing you should do. However, most instructions available online can be vague, and the real information is often hidden behind the jargon and the stigma.

We shall have none of that.

Let’s begin by looking at the precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself from the virus.

Precautions

The coronavirus primarily spreads from person-to-person contact, and can also spread via respiratory droplets produced when a person sneezes or coughs.

You could also get infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.

Since there is no vaccine for the virus, the best way to avoid getting sick is to circumvent any possible exposure to the infection altogether.

To reduce the risk of getting infected, you must:

• Work from home, and avoid leaving your home unless absolutely necessary
• Ensure that you maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and other people if you’re outside
• Wash your hands often, and for at least 20 seconds
• Use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol content if soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching your face
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you need to sneeze or cough, else use the inside of your elbow
• Keep frequently touched surfaces clean and disinfect them every day

Coping, Planning, And Preparing

It is important not to panic: you must remember that keeping calm will make the people you care about and the community as a whole stronger.

Here are some indicators of stress, so you don’t brush it off:

• Worrying about your or your loved one’s health
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Chronic health problems getting worse
• Increase in use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Taking care of yourself is very important at this time. Speaking to family and friends can help you cope with stress.

Exercising, meditating, and eating healthy are some natural ways to lift your mood. Making time for your hobbies is also a great idea.

Taking breaks from social media and the news (in every form) for at least a few hours a day is highly recommended since listening to the reports can often be disheartening.

Having a minimalistic approach to staying informed is the need of the hour. You don’t need to be posted about every detail 24/7, and looking at the news once or maybe twice a day at the most should suffice.

You must ensure that you are updated with the latest information about COVID-19 – and you can find this information on your local government’s website.

Planning for the worst circumstances is just as critical as staying informed is. Pick a room in your home that can be used to separate the sick members of your household from the others. Create a list of local institutions that you can seek help from in case of an emergency.

Also, make an emergency contact list that includes family, friends, neighbors, and the local hospital/health department so you can get help whenever you need it.

Stock a few days worth of supplies– do not panic-buy essentials for months in one go.

Preparing for the worst in this way can help you and your family feel and stay safe.

What To Do If You Are Sick

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• Cough
• Fever
• Trouble breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion
• Bluish face or lips

If you are sick or suspect that you have COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider for medical advice as soon as possible. Since most people only have a mild illness, chances are, you can rest and recover at home.

However, if the symptoms are severe, you shouldn’t hesitate to call an ambulance.

You must also take the necessary steps to ensure that the infection doesn’t spread to other members of your household. Wear a mask, and keep away from the others as much as possible. Do not share any personal items, and wash everything you use thoroughly.

If you’re sick, the precautions listed above must become the working rules of the household for a few weeks.

Spend some time practicing on your hobbies, or with your family, and wait for time to pass. Things should ease up in a few weeks.

Source:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Many public health officials are coming forward to deem cannabis as an ‘essential’ during this period. This means that cannabis businesses can still operate amidst COVID-19 closure and stay home orders. While people are barred from going for movies, sports, they can still continue to stock up marijuana.It is a step drifting us further into an era of expanding marijuana legalization.https://www.youtube.com/embed/xJz7HazFZ6A

In a recent poll in the US, which surveyed about 990 marijuana users, over half the participants have confirmed stocking up on cannabis products due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As opposed to earlier, a lot of people are now recognizing medical cannabis and support its safe access. Several notable names in various states have expressed their delight as more of the public policies are catching up with this essential part of the patient community, medicinal cannabis.

Moreover, in some American states, there has been an expansion in delivery services for medical cannabis while following the social distancing measures. While in some countries, doctors are allowed to recommend medical marijuana via telemedicine. The United States and Canada are two countries that are experiencing a maximum demand for marijuana during the COVID-19 period. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom also sees a considerable hike in the sales of cannabis in the country.

Speaking of the spike in marijuana sales and steps by authorities, here is more detailed information:

Ontario and Quebec, Canada

Ontario has seen a significant hike in marijuana orders in the past week. Some retailers have mentioned having supplied over 3000 orders in a single day, which is about 80 percent higher than an average day.

United Kingdom

An enterprise in the UK selling low-dose cannabis drinks has recorded about a 300 percent increase in sales, which is almost double the total units sold in January and February.

The NetherlandsAs the Dutch government announced the shutdown of all catering establishments in the country until April 6, various coffee shops have experienced a rush in the number of marijuana buyers. While the government has imposed a 5-gram-per-person limit per store visit, people are steadily stocking up on their marijuana.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/wjUfRd9CWPE

California, USA

A data intelligence firm Headset has shown that there is a 159 percent rise in the legal marijuana sales in the whole of California in the week of March 13.

Massachusetts, USA

Mainly, Boston is one of those cities which has experienced a steep surge in the overall demand for marijuana. Customers are stockpiling their medical cannabis for up to 60-day supplies.

Florida, USA

Doctors are allowed to issue recertification of medical cannabis to existing patients via telemedicine. But it does not apply for new patients.

Michigan, USA

While in-person trades remain barred, marijuana businesses can continue home deliveries.

New York, USA

Once again, the state health department has recognized medical cannabis as essential, which does not fall under the general closure orders. Many cannabis industry trackers have directed a substantial rise in cannabis sales as consumers keep piling their stocks up, preparing for the stay home orders.

On the other hand, some adversaries have expressed their displeasure at marijuana stores being still operated across states in the country in a time of crisis as COVID-19. There are also counters from advocates who are suggesting consumers refrain from smoking due to the risk of respiratory effects of COVID-19. At the same time, they have indicated other methods of consuming marijuana like edibles and concentrates.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YDug5BMqqlo

COVID-19 has created a real challenging environment on an international scale. People believe that cannabis can be an excellent support to mental wellness in stressful times like these. Officials are paying attention to make not only medical marijuana available but also its recreational businesses.

A gym is a place where many people come and use the same equipment as others for their daily workouts. It is an absolute no at this crucial time.

Most naturally, if you are home, you would like to continue with your daily workout routines and sessions. This can not only benefit your immune system but also de-stresses you while being cooped up in the same place for hours and days.

We have listed a few home workouts which will help you keep in shape during this time of isolation and also keep your immunity up and running.

Home Workouts for A Better Immunity

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks or otherwise called side-straddle hop is a great physical exercise that helps in maintaining an excellent heart rate. It engages a large muscle group that keeps the core engaged while building the back and abdominal muscles. It is also great for boosting metabolism, thus burning all the extra fat.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/iSSAk4XCsRA

Just spread your legs and shoulders apart as you jump.

Jumping jacks when clubbed with few other workouts like squats, push-ups can do wonders for your body. Keep your fit without going to the gym!

Bodyweight squats

Bodyweight squats strengthen from your hip and down. This workout engages a considerable amount of muscle, thus burning the extra calories while boosting the metabolism of the body.  Place your hands behind your neck and align the shoulders and knees with your feet.  Slowly turn outwards as you go down. You can also use a chair if you find it difficult.

Push-ups

Make the right posture, and you can reap all the benefits of this workout. It can be great for building upper body and core strength. Remember to align your shoulders, spine, and hip and extend your hands a little further every time you repeat. This helps touch different muscles and not just one.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Bj5PPxgEwo

Single-Leg Explosive Jumps

Stand in front of a bench or any other sturdy elevated surface with one leg resting on it. Remember, both the legs should be bent. First, bend the front leg down and push up to bring your knee closer to your chest.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/li8YRh_VYRA

This exercise helps improve coordination and faster movement as compared to bilateral jump movements. 

Sit-Ups

A typical abdominal endurance exercise which tones and strengthens the core and abdominal muscles. Although it is a little similar to crunches, it has a fuller range of motion and muscle conditioning.

Lie on your back with your hands crossed behind your back. Bend your knees with your feet flat on the ground and move your chin towards your knees. Repeat for a perfect core strengthening exercise.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jDwoBqPH0jk

Put aside your concern for restricted space and practice exercises to overcome the boredom during this global lockdown.

Stay Safe!

Our Oncology Nutritionist, Anushka Kapadia has curated a complete wellness guide for all readers to navigate COVID-19 and boost immunity in this time of global panic and fear.

Anushka Kapadia is a Master Certified Health Coach, an Oncology Nutritionist, Transformational Wellness Specialist, Mental and Emotional Eating Psychologist and an Autoimmune Disease Health Coach (Washington, USA).

Some Basics

• Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is mainly transmitted by droplets from mouth and nose. 
• It can be transferred by close contact with the affected or when the droplets land on surfaces (countertops, elevator buttons, doorknobs, and switches), which are later touched by other individuals. 
• Once affected, it enters your cells and triggers the infection.
• COVID-19 has a low death rate when compared to the total number of cases in the outbreak.
• If there is no pre-existing medical condition, the risk of getting infected is less than 1%.
• People with cardiovascular diseases have more than 10% risk.

Boosting The Immune System And Preventing COVID-19

• Practice extra good hygiene.
• Regularly wash hands with alcohol-based hand wash or soap for at least 20 seconds.
• Practice social distancing as one of the essential measures to keep COVID-19 at bay.
• If you are sick, stay at home and away from family members.

Probable Supplements To Take

• Vitamin C helps your body produce antioxidants as well as antiviral. Vitamin C deficiency makes it more probable to catch the infection by lowering your immunity levels.

• Foods that are rich in Vitamin C like broccoli, greens, citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, bell peppers, etc. Also, non-GMO sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid daily up to or reaching bowel tolerance (‘C-flush’). Start with at least 1000 mg and increase.

• Vitamin D enhances and modulates your immune function. People with Vitamin D deficiency are more prone to respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D allows the body to create an antibiotic protein to fight against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Supplement with lower doses of Vitamin D3, 1000-2000 IU with food and fat.

• Chlorella and moringa, when combined, effectively, fight viruses, pathogens, and bacteria. When chlorella and moringa are combined, it builds an ability to fight pathogens, which affect by contacting the nose, eyes, and mouth.

• Hemp seed powder is high in magnesium, which makes a great combination with Vitamin D supplements. It is also rich in protein, iron, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and B. It is advisable to take 3 tablespoons daily.

• You can also include other supplements like turmeric, ashwagandha, fennel, pomegranate, coconut oil, colloidal silver, olive leaf, holy basil, oregano, licorice root, medicinal mushrooms, and Echinacea.

Self-Quarantine And Chill

Although self-quarantining can sometimes be very challenging, they are necessary at this time of global crisis to control the spread of the virus and your safety.

While it can get gloomy sometimes with everything shut near you, it can also be a great time to get your bodies in shape and build a knack for fitness!

Coronavirus is what causes the disease COVID-19. It mainly spreads from person to person through the droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets then contaminate another person either via close contact or by touching objects that are previously contaminated.

However, the droplets are heavy and cannot travel too far in the air, canceling out the possibility of airborne spread. But, they can move approximately one meter and very quickly settle on any surface area. 

We all want it to stop and go away from the world. But for that, it is necessary; we take a few precautionary steps at individual levels to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose And Mouth 

We are still to know the period for which the virus survives when in contact with people and objects. It is for the same reason that doctors are advising to regularly wash hands with soap and clean surfaces that are often used and touched by many people. 

Hands touch many surfaces and are most likely to pick viruses from objects and through physical contact. The virus then enters your body and triggers the infection.

Follow Good Respiratory Hygiene 

By now, everyone knows the coronavirus mainly spreads from the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing or even exhaling. Cover your mouth with a napkin or disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing or use your elbow. Do not keep the used tissue for later; dispose of it immediately.

Following excellent respiratory hygiene not only protects you from the virus but also everyone around you.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

Thoroughly clean your hands now and then with an alcohol-based hand wash or soap. As hands are the most used when working or shopping essentials, they touch the surfaces and objects. People then touch their faces with the same contaminated hand, thus increasing the chances of getting affected.

So, it is essential to keep your hands always clean, especially after using the restroom and before eating.

Practice Social Distancing

One of the most stressed measures by doctors and professionals is social distancing. It is a significant measure to control the spread of the virus.

Keep away from people, whether family or other. Especially, when you find someone sneezing or coughing around you, maintain a minimum of 1-meter distance while communicating.

Seek Proper Medical Care

If you feel unwell and sick, do not neglect it. Stay home and call for medical attention. Keep the details of COVID-19 local authorities to call for any help in case of an emergency quickly. 

Getting in touch with the medical facility will also give you the right guidance to control the spread of COVID-19.

Stay in touch for updates. Stay safe!

Situation update

On 24 March 2020, the Prime Minister announced: “In order to protect the country, and each of its citizens, from midnight tonight, a complete ban is being imposed on people from stepping out of their homes.” This nationwide lockdown is effective for the next 21 days.

WHO Country Office for India support

WHO Country Office for India has been working closely with MoHFW on preparedness and response measures for COVID-19, including disease surveillance, laboratory and research protocols, risk communications, training on infection prevention and control and cluster containment plan, surveillance and tracking of travellers.

“India’s response to COVID-19 has been comprehensive and robust. Massive efforts have been made towards prevention and containing the spread, including strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity, contact tracing and isolation and risk communications. The Prime Minister’s call for social distancing has received widespread community support across the country. It is vital that we come together in solidarity and help in breaking the chain of transmission and flattening the curve,” says Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India.

Resources from Government of India

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 24*7 helpline number – +91-11-23978046)

Press Release issued by Press Information Bureau (click for date wise information)

Disease Alerts, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

National Centre for Disease Control

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare