Some combination strategies will work- periods of lock down interspersed with some break. Models predict an increase in infection as lock down is lifted. We can't detect everyone during a lock down since a lot of patients are asymptomatic. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Have to enforce physical distancing to break the chain of infection. It is impossible to reduce the disease to zero before the lock down lifts. Distancing is crucial, even after people step out. We also need more lock downs but planned ones. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Chloroquine could work but we do not have adequate data yet. WHO has lauched a solidarity trial with chloroquine being 1 of the 4 arms. It will take months before we have results. It is challenging to do clinical trials at the moment too. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also funding a study that wants to assess if chloroquine can be administered as a prophylactic drug.
We need to ensure India's participation in the WHO trial since its an excellent study. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
We need to ensure India's participation in the WHO trial since its an excellent study. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
As of now, no reason to believe high temp will kill the virus. It needs a temp much higher than 45 degrees. Also, influenza is seasonal in the way that it circulates less. It does not die at high temp. Time will tell if high temp works. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Too early to speak about the flattening of the curve. We should have seen some flattening in the last 1 or 2 days but we haven't. We do not have inadequate testing yet too. It would be inappropriate to talk about flattening at the moment. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Lack of a definite evidence to show that plasmaphoresis therapy can be used to treat covid-19 patients. They can definitely be helpful for patients at a severe stage but we need more evidence to be convinced. There are studies being done. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Models are as good as the data we put into them. Our data is very uncertain as of now. We do not have adequate testing yet. It makes the work very challenging. Our predictions will not be as accurate as we want them to be. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Is Covid-19 airborne? Yes. But it is transmitted through droplets. Small droplets-aerosols can be found more in hospitals. Speaking loudly or singing can also spread virus. Distancing, protecting mucosal surfaces and washing hands is imp! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
It doesn't really matter if the virus originated in China. It could have happened anywhere, later if not today. Viruses need natural settings to spread. Many coronaviruses live in domestic animals. Transmission is possible anytime again. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Community participation is KEY IN SLOWING THE VIRUS SPREAD, given that we have a fragile healthcare system. The question is- if this message reaching the vulnerable, the ones who cannot access healthcare. They are the easiest to stigmatize! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
We need to send a message that people need to trust the healthcare system. The gov cannot build this trust. The community organizations can. It is essential to utilize all our strengths! Also the time to build a primary healthcare system! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
When a healthcare system gets overwhelmed with acute cases, people with chronic conditions will face problems. Take control of your health! Stock your medicines for at least 3 months! Communicate with your healthcare providers. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
We can apply epidemiological numbers from other countries to our models. The Indian situation is not markedly different. But we need data from our country to be able to compare and make more meaningful inferences. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
The government has the primary responsibility to communicate to the public. Regular briefing, reporting of daily estimates, transparency of information, status of testing, criteria for classifying hotspots. We really need such data! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
There is potential for making monoclonal antibodies for patients by immunizing animals. Antibody engineering is promising! The other way is to extract antibodies from recovered patients and sequence genes coding for them. We can be hopeful. Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Evidence for covid in pregnant women is inconclusive, data inadequate. But need to do a c-section. If need be, take care of aerosols not being generated. No need to isolate the covid-19 mother. Breastfeeding & cleanliness is essential! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
Researchers should be looking for opportunities to contribute to the numerous efforts by different organizations and establishments all over India, in their own capacities, to help fight the epidemic! Webinar by @India_Alliance on #Corona
