Message on COVID-19 from Dr.Manoj
Hello! Hope you are all keeping safe.
The Covid is exploding . Our country stood in the 9th position, in terms of the highest number of cases. Within 24 hours, it has jumped to the 7th position. That's the rapid speed at which the Covid is spreading. What we need to keep in mind is that an advanced country like the USA, with comparatively much less population than India, could not control it, and they've had over more than one lakh deaths.
As a culture in India, we never believed in social distancing, despite the threat of the Corona, don't we still hug family, and close ones when we meet? Another fact and facet of our country is, the number of slums; this would be the biggest concern, as we have them in plenty. It is expected that the COVID is going to spread and explode! Some studies say that by December half the population in India would be positive, but we wouldn't even know the positive cases as our numbers are so large.
In one of my first messages on COVID, I had told everyone that fear is the biggest factor, I still maintain that, but will modify it to make more sense. All of us are now experiencing fear, and that is fair and natural in these uncertain times.The problem is when our body freezes with fear, we panic! .If you would have noticed, a lot of people experience chest pain, a lot of them ignore it, and they are okay, but many of us get into a panic mode and rush to the hospital.
Many decisions that are made in life during a state of panic have also been a mistake. Panic state is when your brain is in freeze mode, and that is when our immunity is at the lowest.
It is ok to be afraid but do not panic.
My advice to all of you would be, caution, and to follow all the safety norms laid down by the Government.
For all those who can afford to work from home, continue to do that for the next 2-3 months. There would be a dip in our finances working from home, but have our expenses not come down too. At the end of it if we are able to come out of this crisis, without losing any near and dear ones, we will emerge victorious.
Every one is trying their best to find a solution to the Covid, but till that happens, stay safe.
By the way,I have been extremely honoured to have been called to work on the clinical trials for COVID; I will share more details with you, as and when i am allowed to .
In the next few days, the latest preventive and immunity building medication that my team and I are working on, will be ready which I will then share with all of you.
The symptoms of Covid are, cold, cough, breathlessness, eventually the lung is getting affected which means, its the respiratory tract which is most affected.Here is a very small breathing exercise that will help you to keep your respiratory tract healthy.
Take a deep inhale, and as you exhale make the sound 'mmmmmmm' with your mouth closed. Feel the vibrations starting at your nose, into your face, down your throat, and into both lungs on either side of the chest. Feel the sound and vibration in your entire respiratory tract as you exhale. Remember this has to be done most effortlessly; do not put too much pressure into your inhalation or exhalation, it has to be most effortless. By doing this you are clearing your airways with the vibration that is produced by the breath, and exercising your lungs. Do this 3-4 times whenever you find time. For those who smoke please do this after every smoke, as it will dislodge the nicotine stuck to the inside of your lungs to some extent.
Just to remind you all that my team of doctors and I are available online for all your medical needs. Please contact the clinic for any assistance.
Stay indoors and stay safe; take care!
-Dr.Manoj Kuriakose