BMJ British Medical Journal
Editorials
Behavioural, environmental, social, and systems interventions against covid-19
BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2982 (Published 28 July 2020)
Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m2982
Rabid Response
Re: Behavioural, environmental, social, and systems interventions against covid-19
Dear Editor
Stand Behind Science to Keep COVID-19 at Bay
In the 32nd week of the COVID-19 Pandemic, more than six months after the the 6th health emergency declared by the WHO (there have been five other global health emergencies by WHO, for Ebola (two outbreaks), Zika, polio and swine flu), a plateau has not yet been reached.
Global COVID-19 cases crossed the 19 Million mark on 6.8.2020 in all continents.
Every day during this 32nd week over 2.75 lakh COVID-19 cases are reported daily (280,044 cases on 6.8.2020) in the world.
COVID-19 has become a huge public health global crisis.
As of now, in a few countries the first wave of COVID-19 spread is not yet over. In some countries, the second wave is in progress. In a few other countries the third wave is now started.
Currently in the 32nd week after 7 months of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as of 7.8.2020, there are over 19.3 Million (19,309,146) confirmed COVID-19 cases with over 7 lakh (718,597) deaths. Recovery has been registered in more than 12.3 Million (12,397,744) cases.
As of 7.8.2020, the US has the maximum cases, with more than 5 Million (5,033,723) confirmed COVID-19 cases and 162,854 deaths. Brazil is in second position with 2,917,562 cases and 98,644 COVID-19 related deaths. India is in third place with 2,040,261 cases with the lower death rate of 2.04%.
India has registered highest ever 62,170 cases and tops the global table of the number of cases on a single day (7.8.2020).
India has crossed 2 Million COVID-19 cases on 6.8.2020
During this Pandemic many International events including the Olympics 2020 and the Oscars 2020 are postponed and many religious festivals like Eid-Ul-Fitr , Eid-Ul-Adha, and Hajj 2020 are celebrated with restrictions and social distancing.
Now, WHO is tracking over 140 vaccine candidates. A few vaccines from the UK, the US, Russia and India are in phase I/II/III trials.
Vaccines are the only answer to prevent COVID-19. Until then behavioral changes like not spitting in public places, environmental protection by not throwing used masks in streets, and by adopting social distancing, wearing of masks and respiratory hygiene with all other systemic interventions are important to over come the current COVID-19 Pandemic.
This will help to break the chain of COVID-19 spread.
So we have to stand behind science and not behind demons and misconceptions to get away from COVID-19 infection.
This attitude definitely will help to overcome the COVID-19 Pandemic and improve the world economy in each and every country.
Competing interests: No competing interests
07 August 2020
M.A. Aleem
Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***
The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***
Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India
@drmaaleem
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