Thread by @Rubina_BigB_EF

Attending Part 2 of the Covid-19 Webinar series by the @India_Alliance @THSTIFaridabad @IAVI @NatureInd

Look forward to some insights from you today @AnantBhan sir. #Corona

Cc: @SarahHyder

Testing has increased but definitely needs to be ramped up more. We have logistic challenges as well as availability of testing kits and trained personnel. The current test is a real time PCR that takes about 7-8 hours for results to be back. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Private labs have been designated for testing but a lot more needs to be done. Some have come up with techniques that can bring us results in 2-3 hours but sensitivity and specificity needs to be assessed. We are slowly getting there. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

It is crucial for media houses to over emphasize the need for hand hygiene. It is challenging to get this information across in the remote regions, especially in the age of whatsapp infodemic! It's a huge problem the regional media is facing. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Cost is a challenge once we have people visiting homes for testing. Stigma needs to be addressed. HCPs are being asked to leave by their landlords. Community engagement is PARAMOUNT. People need to understand the importance of testing. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

We have to engage people so that they cooperate. This needs a proactive approach. People shouldn't feel uncomfortable if there are medical professionals visiting their homes or sanitizing the streets. Stigma shouldn't come in the way here. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

While testing more is important, there is a trade-off. We cannot be testing people with just one symptom, say a cough. It could be an allergy and could burden resources even more. We should test people with pneumonia & other such conditions. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Older people have higher mortality. But to think younger people won't be affected, is wrong. Don't be complacent or under false illusions just because we have a young population. We have so many diabetics, so many COPD patients. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

For a vaccine, safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness need to be considered. We have to find a balance between safety and efficacy otherwise people would be more at risk. Expediting vaccine development has to be monitored, ethically. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

WHO says there are 40 vaccine candidates under development. One of them is in phase 1 under the NIH. Another candidate, an attenuated virus, is being worked on at the Serum Institute, Pune. But we are 12-18 months from a successful vaccine. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

People are still not adhering to protocol, violating quarantine. There is a clear communication gap. Sociologists and other experts need to engage more with communities for the lockdown and other public health interventions to actually work. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

It would be in our best interest to report the infection status to the WHO timely and involve international partners in analyzing the situation in India. We are in an early stage and should participate in the WHO multi country response study. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

We have infrastructure and human resources constraints. We are getting in more ventilators but we lack emergency staff, paramedics. Urgent capacity building is needed from so that people can step in when the main team gets sick or exhausted! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

If a person gets infected without travel history and or 1st level contact, we call it community transmission. The numbers show a community spread. We have a doubling time of 4-5 days! Rise in infection is community spread+increased testing! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

If people feel we will be free of the virus in 21 days, they are dreaming. The government will have to extend lockdowns, may be in phases. Nothing would be hunky dory in 3 weeks. This will continue for some time to come. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Chloroquine has only been shown to be effective in a non-randomized 40 people study in France. It is only approved by the FDA as an experimental drug in RCTs. It can lead to toxicity and this notion needs to be dispelled. Nothing is proved. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Experts suggest suspending elective surgeries & OPDs. Emergency care and surgeries need to continue. We have to make sure that sanitation, routine public health programs and essential hospital services continue simultaneously with precaution. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Should India follow the S.Korea model? Each country needs its own model. But we can learn lessons from S.Korea. They did not have as much a lockdown but aggressive testing and technology! Ramped up testing with quicker results is essential. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

No evidence to say India is at a greater risk due to our Vitamin D deficiency! These are conjectures, much like the malaria and covid hypothesis. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

You can use a chimta (forcep), put the fresh newspaper on an old newspaper, use dry heat from a hot iron. That would kill any virus in there. It is reasonable and safe. Milk packets can be washed with soap and water. Just use common sense. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona

Concluding words: Maintain hygiene, adhere to lockdown protocols, cooperate with authorities, don't get excited by whatsapp msgs & don't forward without verifying. There's people working very hard. Credible information will come your way. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona