Learning from COVID-19

Learning from COVID-19

As we move towards the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have started spending a lot of time at home to minimize our exposure. The virus has changed our daily routine in ways no one had anticipated ever before. Many physical activities have been put on hold for those who are unvaccinated or are still hesitant to go out in crowded spaces.

A time will come when COVID-19 will not be so disruptive to life. Experts are saying that COVID may become endemic – which means the virus and its mutations may never disappear from human life.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, it is believed that the society will have to evolve accordingly. For example, people may choose to wear masks most of the time. Also, people may not be expected to work when they are sick, unlike before.

People were forced to adjust to new work schedules, change their exercise routines and cut back on socializing. Also, they started practicing self-care in multiple ways. Many started seeking new strategies to counter the stress and anxiety around them.

We have learnt many new things about COVID-19. Here are a few of them:

• The virus can be airborne. The CDC acknowledged that COVID-19 can spread via airborne particles that can linger in the air for hours between people who are more than six feet apart.
• People can become infected more than once. Even though the numbers are miniscule, there have been several cases of reinfection over the past few months.
• Young and healthy people are not invulnerable to the virus. Older people and those with comorbidities are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 if infected, but young people can also develop severe infections.
• Heat and humidity don’t protect the virus. Although the virus is killed within a few minutes of sunlight, heat and humidity alone are not enough to reduce the spread.
• People can develop “Long Covid”. Such people continue to have symptoms even if the acute illness is over. It seems to be twice more common in women than men.
• Super spreaders are a major threat. In this one person infects many others.
• Children of all ages can spread the virus to other people. This mostly gets unnoticed as they don’t exhibit COVID-19 symptoms as often as adults.

The most important way to beat the virus is to stay proactive and creative. Some things we can do to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle are:

• Get vaccinated.
• Mask up.
• Stay active.
• Get adequate sleep every night – at least 7-8 hours.
• Take care of your diet and nutrition.
• Promote your overall physical and mental wellness with yoga, meditation and relaxation.
• Stay connected with your loved ones.
• Take time out to take care of yourself.

We, humans, are fragile and our strength lies in being part of a community. This pandemic has taught us to love, care, respect and help. We continue to learn new things every day. That is what life is all about.