Author: Riya Gulati, LL.M (Intellectual Property & Information Technology) from University College Dublin & BA.LLB from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, Paralegal at Law Offices of Caro Kinsella, Ireland,
A novel coronavirus is a pristine strain that has not been previously spotted in humans before the pandemic was reported in December 2019 in China. In preliminary 2020, the World Health Organization recognized SARS-CoV-2 as a new kind of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a colossal family of viruses that lead to illness varying from the common cold to more critical diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. COVID-19 is a malady gendered by SARS-CoV-2 that can activate the respiratory tract infection. It can sway the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses and throat) or lower respiratory tract (lungs and windpipe). It disseminates in the same manner as other coronaviruses do, chiefly via person-to-person contact.
Coronaviruses are a faction of viruses that can engender infection in both humans and animals. They are usually indefinite animal species, such as cattle and camels. Although the dissemination of coronaviruses from animals to humans is exceptional, it was put forward that this new strain probably came from bats, while the other study connotes that pangolins may be the genesis. However, it remains obscure precisely how the virus first disseminated to humans. According to the WHO, the animal sources of the novel coronavirus have not yet been ascertained. This does not imply that one can catch novel coronavirus from any animal or pet. An animal source from a live animal market in China was probably the chief cause for some of the first reported human infections. Coronaviruses are diffused between animals and people. Comprehensive explorations indicated that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome- Coronavirus was transmitted from civet cats to humans in 2002 in China and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome- Coronavirus from dromedary camels to humans in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Various known coronaviruses are diffusing in animals that have not yet affected humans.
It has been noted that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person, usually after direct contact with an infected person. The common symptoms of contagion encompass respiratory portent, cough, fever and breathing difficulties. In more intense cases, this infection can cause acute respiratory syndrome, pneumonia, kidney failure and even death. More noteworthy is the new understanding that the virus is contagious even during incubation, that is even before a patient exhibits any symptoms. This feature amplifies the transmissibility. Therefore, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescribe that everyone must wear face masks in public places where it is hard to maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) interspace from others. This will aid in decelerating the outspread of the infection from asymptomatic individuals and individuals who are unaware that they have contracted it.
Furthermore, the benchmark recommendations to intercept virus spread comprise recurrent hand washing, covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, thoroughly cooking eggs and meat. Abstain close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Significantly, everyone must practice good respiratory hygiene, avoid going to crowded places, wear the mask as needed especially in public places, stay home if you feel unwell, daily clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces and lastly it is pertinent to seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms come to light. If we follow the strictest regulations as practised by New Zealand, we will be able to cope up with predicament.
“When it rains, look for rainbows and when it’s dark look for stars”. Though coronavirus has impacted the global health and economy if we see the latent benefits of the pandemic it has changed our entire lifestyle. People have been practising better hygiene, became health conscious & cleanliness freak, adapted technology in their daily lives, relying on indigenous products and preferring home-made nutriments and products. Due to inculcating healthy habits, there has been a reduction in (other) diseases as well. Also, the recovery rates are brushing up. Furthermore, there have been improvements in the quality of air & water, biodiversity is blooming and there has been a reduction in noise pollution. Nature has been nurturing, healing and restoring.