COVID-19 is a Pandemic; Experts Explain The Way Ahead

COVID-19 is a Pandemic; Experts Explain The Way Ahead

How can we organise ourselves and protect ourselves against the COVID-19 pandemic? 

The novel coronavirus outbreak is now a pandemic, says the World Health Organisation. What does it mean for countries, for governments and for ordinary folks like you and me?

As India continues to witness a steady rise in the number of cases testing positive, FIT talks to Dr Sumit Ray, Critical Care specialist and Chairperson, Artemis Hospitals to find out.

“Giving a certain terminology gives the medical fraternity a sense of where the virus is headed and helps governments, health workers and systems understand the scale of the problem and organise for what’s ahead.”

He adds that the response is country-specific, for example, China’s measures may seem extreme but they helped slow down the curve and worked for them. India must chart her own trajectory based on the caseload we have and the projections for us.

“In the process of response, one should not be panicking,” said Dr Ray, “Planning is essential.”

Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the outbreak a ‘matter of concern’ and highlighted the need to ‘respond responsibly’, as he spoke in the Lok Sabha.

Dr Ray also spoke on the importance of social distancing and good hygiene and clarified confusions about wearing masks.

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