Iftari Main Essa Kia Karain k Kbhi Bimar Na Hooon

افطاری میں ایسا کیا کریں کہ کبھی بیمار نہ ہو ں ؟ 
!حضرت علی  رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ کا مشورہ 

    رمضان کا مہینہ تھا ، ایک شخص  نے حضرت علی رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ سے پوچھا کہ میں چاہتا ہوں کہ میرا جسم ہزاروں بیماریوں سے محفوظ رہے اور میں کبھی بیمار نہ ہو ں  ؟
  اس کا سوال سن کر حضرت علی رضی اللہ تعالی عنہ نے فرمایا : اے شخص  !  رمضان کے روزے رکھا کرو  اور روزہ افطار کرتے وقت کھجور اور نیم گرم پانی پیا کرو کیونکہ کہ جو انسان  روزہ کھولتے وقت کھجور اور ہلکا گرم پانی پیتا ہے ،  تو اللہ اس کے جسم پر اپنا نور برساتا ہے اور وہ کبھی بھی بیماریوں کی زد میں نہیں آتا ۔ 
مہربان علی

CHOOSE THE BEST MODEL TO ERADICATE CORONAVIRUS

CHOOSE THE BEST MODEL TO ERADICATE CORONAVIRUS

Prof Waqar Hussain

     

      Corona virus besieged all countries, every country has its own method to counter coronavirus. And so far, there are few successful models.

1)   CHINESE MODEL:

         China reported first confirmed case on 31 December, 2019. Then, China watched its behavior, method of spread, symptoms, treatment and then quickly chalked out a plan to combat it. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered “Resolute Efforts” to contain the virus. On January 23, Wuhan, epicenter of epidemic, went into complete lockdown, with single goal, “nobody in; nobody out”. All public transport stopped. People were blocked from entering or leaving the city by air, rail or road. Those in city were ordered to stay at home. An ‘Unseen impregnable wall’ was erected around Wuhan, even the train and buses that have already left off for other cities, were stopped on route and returned to Wuhan. The posted letters and goods that were on way for other parts, their delivery was stopped and were brought back to Wuhan.

            Then 15 other cities of Hubei Province imposed similar measures, locking down movement of 60 million people. Another unseen wall was erected around province as second line of defense. Then China utilized resources of remaining 22 provinces to generate economy, medicine, equipment, health workers, etc. to be utilized in turbulent Hubei. So, more than 20,000 medical workers and relevant material were brought to Wuhan and other of Hubei province to treat patient and to save healthy, house detained individuals.

       Hospital installed overnight, free testing started at Fever hospital. Patient of other diseases were given 3 months’ medicine instead of routine supply of 1 month and were asked to contact physician in need through “WeChat”. People were asked to stay at homes. Food and other essential commodities were supplied at the door. So, a social distancing of concrete nature, with minimum trouble, was maintained.

     With patient, they tried different medicines, following the rule of hit and trial and examined their result. The effective medicament was analyzed scientifically and was suggested to hospitals to give them to patients. In 7 days of lockdown, the number of people, each infected individual gave the virus to, drop to 1.05. Above measures prevented cases from increasing by 67-fold, otherwise, there would have been nearly 8 million cases by the end of February. On the contrary, Curve first flattened and then dipped to zero. China defeated Corona!

      World Health Organization congratulated China on this unique and unprecedented health response that reversed the escalating case. Dr. Bruce Aylwart, Head of WHO observation team said, Chinese model showed time is essence, because every day one stopped to think: Should do or not? Virus doubles. China’s prompt response sat an example for the rest of countries to follow her suit.

          2) TURKMENISTAN MODEL:

       This model is based on saying of Ken Schramn: “A smart person learns from his mistake, but truly wise person learns from the mistakes of others”. When corona virus started spreading to other countries, Turkmenistan didn’t waste time and immediately closed its land border, cancelled flights to China and some other countries in early February and started diverting all international flight form capital Ashgabat (adjacent to Iran) to Turkmenabad in the North East, where a quarantine zone was created.

         Further, to make sure safety, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, also known as “Father Protector” ordered to fumigate public places with traditional plant “harmala” as prophylactic measure. (The Holy book of Zoroastrianism “Avesta” describes harmala as a calming and purifying agent). The harmala contain alkaloids; harmine, peganine (vasicine) and harmalinein that kills some microbes. Learning lesson from Chinese “every delay is dangerous in war” and acting promptly, they made their country safe with zero cases, whereas, in their neighbor Iran, corona virus was playing havoc. They did another thing, authorities avoided the use of word “corona virus” as much as possible to avoid fear. German says: “Fear from a mice and he will become a wolf”. So they not only warded off coronavirus but also corona phobia. Unfortunately, this model is not applicable now as more than 200 countries are already crippling with corona virus.

          3)KOREAN MODEL

        Countries around the world are shut down to control corona virus but South Korean people have started to come back on the street. Why?

         In late February, South Korea was reporting sharp increase in cases with over 5000 infected. South Korea was registering highest number of confirmed cases in the world but something happened and it started flattening the curve. They were able to do it, with lesson learned in 2015, when they fought MERS, that infected 186 and killed 38; highest number outside the middle east. They got lesson, the diagnostic test is vital followed by preventative measures. When China had 72,000 plus cases, South Korea had only 30 cases, in spite of low number, health authorities started working with bio-tech companies to develop a test of COVID-19 and soon they had thousands of testing kits and distributed to every hospital. They had prepared themselves for the worst; and the worst quickly followed. In late February, corona virus patient raised to 3000 plus; this made South Korea largest outside China, which at that moment had near 80,000 cases.

          Game started in Daegu where a woman went to hospital with fever. As the government had already equipped hospital with COVID test, doctor tested her positive and the woman was named as ‘Patient 31’. Then they traced her movement and identified the person who came to her contact and then they tested those people. People who tested positive, were isolated and treated and all the people, they had been in contact, were traced and tested too. This is called ‘contact tracing’. In this tracing, South Korea tested over 9000 people who have been in contact to someone who was tested positive. After Diego, testing started in other parts of the country. About 20,000 people were tested per day. South Korea picked the patient among populace as household lady picks gravel in the Lentil and separates it.

       Then they developed a software on smart phone. Whenever a confirmed case found, nearby office sent a message “Emergency alert” to be cautions. Website and private apps compiled information, allowing everyone to see if a confirmed patient went to a pharmacy, hospital or anywhere else. By launching “corona map”; citizens were able to check infected locations and avoided going there. If anyone cross passed tract of patient, he went through test. Thus, they broke the chain of coronavirus on large scale.

       As a result, South Korea was able to test 100 thousand people, more than any other country. This policy flattened the curve and enabled government to avoid lockdown. Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong followed South Korea and went through extensive testing. This is how Korea is containing corona.

          4) SWEDISH MODEL

          At time when most of the world is locked, Swedish industry is running; markets trading; restaurant serving; school educating; elder walking; children playing; old people resting at home. Swedish advocate limited social distancing. Their strategy is to protect the vulnerable, while allowing the virus to spread through healthy people so they can develop antibodies called Herd immunity.

       Dr. Anders Tegnell, an epidemiologist with an experience of fighting EBOLA in Africa, is architect of corona virus plan. However, Sweden scientist community disagrees with Tegnell strategy. Last week, more than 2000 doctors, professors and researchers persuaded government to go far aggressive lockdown. Sweden policy is right or wrong; time will decide. However, Tegnell is confident and says: Corona and coins are both to be taken care of; Closing industry, market, school, border; cannot go for months or years.

                 5) PAKISTANI MODEL:

          Government presented a document regarding coronavirus in the Supreme Court, in which it was estimated that there will be 50,000 cases at the end of April. Luckily, middle of April has passed, country has around 7000 cases, 7 times lesser than guesstimate. Curve is about to be flattened.

           Government planned to fight coronavirus, keeping in view the economic situation of the country and decided to go for “smart lockdown”, contact tracking and mass awareness about precautionary measures. Whenever a confirmed case appears: his contacts are searched and tested or kept in quarantine for 15 days. In Chiniot district, 6 persons who returned from Iran, were tested positive. Government sealed the villages of their belonging.

         Smart lockdown allow citizen in specific hours to go out if necessary and didn’t allow to mess around. This model seems to be amalgamation of above models, designed to suite our condition. At present, it is working and that is why government has relaxed ‘smart lockdown’ further. Coming days will decide whether this relaxation is good or bad? If curve is flattened, Pakistan will be the first country to set an example of viable and practicable smart lockdown model to whom, many will follow۔
       We should not go for 'soft lockdown' , replacing 'smart lockdown', keeping in view the flattening trend of curves as Saga says: Don't say hello till you are out of woods!

GOOD NEWS FOR PAKISTAN

GOOD NEWS FOR PAKISTAN

By: Prof Waqar Hussain

        Today, looked at the WHO Coronavirus update and a wave of relief soothed mind on examining and comparing the corona statistics of worst hit top six countries with that of Pakistan’s.

World’s overall pictures is 19 lakhs (1,911,599) patients; 1,18,669 death and approximate death clue is 6.2%.

The leading six nastiest hit countries USA, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and UK have below figures:

      1)   USA – 5,79,045 cases; 23,238 deaths; 4%

      2)   Spain – 1,69,496 cases; 17,489 deaths; 10%

      3)   Italy – 1,59,516 cases; 20,465 deaths; 12.7%

      4)   France – 1,36,779 cases; 14,967 deaths; 10.8%

      5)   Germany – 1,28,208 cases; 3,043 deaths 2.3%

      6)   UK – 1,26,665 cases; 90,531 deaths; 12.7%

Total: 1,261,665 cases; 90,531; deaths; 7.17%

(It means these six countries have contribution of 66% in World cases and 76.2% in World deaths). In other words; one can say; out of three patients, two belong to these six countries. And out of four deaths, 3 deaths are among these six countries.

In Pakistan, there are 5496 cases and 93 deaths and approximately death rate is 1.6%; it means out of 200 patients, two persons kick the bucket.

It is no doubt, a Good News for Pakistan as we have ordinary health facilities plus many other ‘normals’ but nature has bestowed with the good, sprung out of our bad.

There are two viral voice messages of doctors explaining their observation after treating COVID patients and a Facebook post of Dr. Bashir: All explained few factors that are saving us from the wrath of this calamity. There are seven factors rescuing Pakistan in this turbulent situation.

1) BCG Vaccination:

The Bascillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine which was first developed to fight tuberculosis is being studied in chemical trial around the world as a way to fight the coronavirus. Dr. Denise Faustman, director of Immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical school, said: “BCG vaccine might help people build immune responses to things other than TB, causing “off target effects”.

It is believed that BCG vaccine can cause a non-specific boost of the immune response. Several countries around the world are beginning human clinical trial to evaluate the BCG vaccine’s efficacy such as Australia, Netherland, USA etc. Pakistani population gets BCG in childhood, it might have some role in immune system to cope with coronavirus.

2) Cytomegalovirus (CMV):

It is a common virus, if one is infected, body retain the virus for the entire life. Pakistani population is reported to be more than 90%, when measured HCMV IgG antibody. It might have developed some sort of immunity. If we look at USA, where 50% of adult, after the age of 40 years, have had cytomegalovirus infection.

3) Uses of Spices:

Pakistani people are accustomed to use good quantity of spices in their food. Our spicy foods are famous all over the world. Here is mention of only a few spices which help to build immunity. Garlic(lahsin) is immune boosting super star and Elixir of Health; it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients; Ginger(adrak) also have anti-oxidant and ginger tea is used to treat common flu; Cardamom (ilaichi) aid blood detoxification; Turmeric (haldi) is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, Saffron ( Zafran) is used to treat cold ; Black pepper ( kali mirch) contain various anti-oxidant that increase body’s metabolism; Star anise (badyan kay phool) have anti-oxidant plus vitamins to erase throat infection; Nutmeg( jaifil) has strong anti-bacterial properties. It helps to boost immune system; Fenugreek (methi dana) is packed with anti-viral properties: there is a famous saying: “If my followers had come to know the benefit of fenugreek, they would have not hesitated in buying it, even at gold rate”; Clove(loong) has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic agents; Cinnamon (dar cheeni) has healing properties; Black seed (kalwanji) has been used as medicine and spice since ages. It was found in King Tut’s tomb (Tutankhamun, colloquially known as King Tut, was the 12th pharaoh of the 18th Egyptian dynasty, in power from approximately 1332 to 1323 B.C.E.). Its medicinal properties are mentioned in various ancient literatures including Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Black seed’s medicinal properties were admired so much that it was said to cure anything but death. It has high amount of antioxidants like thymoquinone, carvacrol and t-anethole; that have protective effect against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. It has strong anti-bacterial effects. Calling black seed as a ‘natural antibiotic’ is not an exaggeration. It has strong antibiotic effects against many bacterial infections including the resistant bacteria. So, Pakistani are taking so vast majority of spices that might have heightened immunity.

   4) Adulterated food; unclean water and polluted air:

“Good news for Pakistan” a Facebook post of Dr. Ahmad Bashir, king Edward graduate from Lahore and now living in Italy since 2002. He is pulmonologist and has currently treated countless coronavirus patients. He said: “To my knowledge not a single Pakistani died due to the coronavirus itself”. He further said: “Common cold virus is being addressed differently in different regions. People of the sub-continent including Pakistan, probably due to the dirty atmosphere have the common cold at an average of 7 attacks per year as compared to 3 or less in other areas.”

So it is blessing in disguise that Pakistan’s immune system is under constant threat from adulterated food, unclean water and polluted air, thus instigating immune system all the time to be active and be prepared to meet the challenges. It might be the reason for our better corona statics in comparison to developed six countries.

   5) Demography:

Median age in Italy is 47.3 years and life expectancy is 83.57 year whereas Pakistan has median age 22.8 years and life expectancy 67.17 years. So our large chunk of population is younger, with better immune system as the coronavirus is hitting hard on older population.

In an Italian study conducted on 17,916 deaths; 83% people were of above 70 years. And the average age of died persons was 68 years, which is above our life expectancy 67.17 years. Here again, Pakistani are Lucky!

     6) Temperature:

There are many studies that high mercury level reduces severity of coronavirus. Places, where it had played havoc, all had temperature below 10⁰C except Qom and Mashhad where temperature was 12⁰C or so. The temperature in Pakistan is increasing day by day; it has crossed 30⁰C at many places and in coming day it will rise further.

If one looks the location of worst hit countries- all are above tropical regions and on average between 40-50⁰ latitude North (New York 53; Spain 40; Italy 43; France 47; Germany 51; UK 53⁰ N); whereas Pakistan is about 23^o N latitude, just above the tropic of cancer. It means Pakistan is almost touching tropical region, where coronavirus cruelty is minimum.

    7) Rural Population:

Rural population in Pakistan is 63.33%( it means 2 out of 3 person lives in rural area). Rural area has scattered settlings, thus providing natural distancing whereas rural population in Italy is only 29.56%. Rural population living is close to nature with habit of hectic physical work and eating natural food that contribute a lot in uplifting immune system.

Apart from above, doctor disclosed in viral voice message that probably we had mild version of coronavirus. It is pertinent to mention here that Chinese scientist said; L type is more aggressive, but S-Type is mild one. Another point to feel relief is that 60,000 tests are conducted so far and only 5000 tested are positive i.e. only 8%.

In sum, statics clearly indicates ‘good news for Pakistan’. It will surely reduce corona panic a lot. Though the figure of 5000 looks small in comparison to most hit countries, yet it had potential threat, so one must not be complacent, rather should lift spirit to uproot this evil. Social distancing, frequent hand wash, use of mask, taking immune boosting food, regular exercised and spiritual therapies must be observed strictly. Stay safe and blessed!

NEW FACTS ABOUT SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

 NEW FACTS ABOUT SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

Prof Waqar Hussain

              So far, scientists consider two ways of coronavirus transmission. One is infection coming from contact with some object, that has virus on it. The other one is by inhaling droplet emitted by sneezes and coughs of infected person. But some experts say that there is third infection route also. That is through micro-droplets that makes the spread somewhat akin to aerosol/airborne. It is alarming and demands some extra methods of protection.

JAPANESE STUDY

             

There are new facts about infection mechanism of Coronavirus shown in NHK Documentary. Experts are looking at this new infection mechanism as the crucial step to prevent the further spread of the virus.

               Kazuhiro Tateda, President The Japanese Association for Infectious Disease, says: “It seems transmission are happening during conversations and even when people are standing at a certain distance apart. These cases cannot be explained by ordinary droplet infection. We think infection comes from "micrometer particles". This transmission can be called "micro-droplet infection".

                So how does, it takes place. In each case is conducting an experiment with the group of researchers. The team tracks particles in the air by using laser beam and then observing them by the high sensitivity camera. This technology allows to detect droplet as small as 0.1 micrometer (1/10,000 mm) wide. The experiment started, when a person was irritated to sneeze by rubbing inside nasal cavity with a straw. He sneezed, they saw large droplet of about 1mm diameter, that quickly fell on earth. Then looked through high sensitivity camera. They saw the small particles that seem to floating to the air. These particles are smaller than 10 micro meter or 1/100 of mm in diameter.

           

 Then, they saw sneezing droplet from a different angle, the droplets were small and light and were drifting in the air. These are micro-droplets.

              They came to know that sneezing was not the only source of these droplets. They ran the same experiment on a close range conversation, people generated a lot of micro-droplets when they talk loudly, the droplet between the two talking persons stayed where they were. They didn't drift away.

              It is not yet known; what volume of micro-droplet leads to infection. But Tateda says; “We can’t rule out the possibility that micro-droplets have spread the virus to some extent”.

           Tateda says: “Micro-droplet carry many viruses. We produce them, when we talk loudly or breathe heavily. People around us inhale them and that's how virus spread. We are beginning to see this risk now".

             The risk of infection through micro-droplet becomes even greater in close space with poor ventilation.

              The lab simulated the move of micro droplet in an air tight room, equal to the size of a classroom, the 10 people were in enclosed it. A person coughed once and spread about one hundred thousand droplets. Large droplet in simulation were shown in blue and green; most of these fell to the ground within 1 minute. But the micro-droplets shown in red continue to drift. In another simulation, which only showed micro-droplet, 5 minute later, 10 minute later, 20 minute later; the micro-droplets were still floating in space.

            

Masashi Yamakawak, Associate Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology said: "If the air is not flowing, the micro-droplet won't move. And since they can't move on their own, they stay in place for some time”.

     “But there is a way to prevent this stagnation of micro-droplets; by opening windows and increasing air circulation, it is believed to be effective. When you open a window, micro-droplets are quickly swept away. They are very small and light, so any air flow will get rid of them.” While Fateda says: “What's important is to create two openings. Do this at least once an hour. That lower the risk of infection considerably.”

CHINESE STUDY

        Chines conducted a research on Aerodynamic Characteristics and RNA Concentration of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol in Wuhan Hospitals during recent COVID-19 Outbreak, as the transmission of covid virus through human respiratory droplets and by contact with infected persons was clear, the aerosol transmission had been little studied.

         The researchers took 35 aerosol samples of three different types; total suspended particle, size segregated and deposition aerosol) and were collected from Patient Areas and Medical Staff Areas of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Renmin) and Wuchang Fangcang Field Hospital (Fangcang), and Public Areas in Wuhan, China. A robust droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) method was employed to quantitate the viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome and determine aerosol RNA concentration.

         Results showed that The ICU and general patient rooms inside Renmin, patient hall inside Fangcang had low airborne COVID virus concentration but deposition samples inside ICU and air sample in Fangcang patient toilet tested positive. The airborne COVID virus in Fangcang Medical Staff Area had bimodal distribution with higher concentration than those in Renmin during the outbreak but turned negative after patient’s number reduced and rigorous sanitization implemented. Public Area had undetectable airborne COVID virus concentration but obviously increased with accumulation of crowd flow.

Researchers concluded that room ventilation, open space, proper use and disinfection of toilet can effectively limit aerosol transmission of COVID virus. Gathering of crowds with asymptomatic carriers is a potential source of airborne COVID virus. The virus aerosol deposition on protective apparel or floor surface and their subsequent re-suspension is a potential transmission pathway and effective sanitization is critical in minimizing aerosol transmission of COVID virus.   

           Apart from this study, Chines have said: the droplets remain in air for 3 hours and some Chines scientists have suspected that 60% of infection spread through the air.

SINGAPORE STUDY

        Researchers examined air and surface sample of three COVID patient A, B and C in Singapore. 26 samples were taken from patient room, ante room, and the bathroom. The sample of patient A and B were taken after cleaning, and found all were negative. For patient C, whose samples were collected before cleaning, they found positive result with 13(87%) of 15 room sites and 3 (60%) of 5 total sites testing positive result for virus. All air sample were negative.

          These were all special isolation rooms with special kind of ventilation. The fact that air exhaust outlet tested positive suggests that small virus droplet was displaced and landed there.

But it is important to remember that all of these studies looked at viral RNA and viral particle. But we don’t know whether these viral particles were still viable and able to infect human. So how long will viral particle survive? After they fall on the surface or get suspended in the air, will they stay viable to infect human?

            

Researcher looked at this also. They suspended the virus in air and on various surfaces like copper, cardboard, stainless steel and plastic, and took samples at various time points; they then look to see whether that virus was still able to infect cases. They found SARS COV-2 was most stable on plastic

up to 72 hours (3 days); followed by stainless steel with 48 hours (2 days); cardboard 24 hours (1 day) and copper 8 hours.

           Aerosol virus remain viable for the entire experiment when lasted three hours.

         

In the last statement of the paper, researchers say: if there is ongoing contradictory finding in multiple studies (as with the influenza virus), and Sars-Cov-2, it may be more likely that the various transmission routes may predominate in different settings, making the airborne route for that particular pathogen more of an opportunistic pathway, rather than the norm.

This mean that the airborne route is probably mainly relevant for certain situations and that would be the hospital, hospital staff room, hospital changing room as well as crowded and badly ventilated public spaces.

Everyone else is probably more likely to get the virus through touching surfaces and bad hand hygiene and then touching their face.

          In summary, data suggest that concentration of suspended virus in the air increases form almost no virus in public places, ICU and isolation rooms. To a little more in crowded outdoors, even more in medical staff rooms, and patient toilets. A lot more in staff change rooms, where they take off their protective apparels.

         

In general, the concentration of virus in the air inside hospital seems to be low but may be significantly elevated when staff has spent long hours with patient so droplet/aerosol deposited on their protective gears. When they then take off protective equipment, the positive material might become re-suspended in the

air.

         Medical staff might have false sense of security when they are outside the patient rooms like in medical staff rooms or changing room. But the data suggest that these are places where most likely to be infected.

       What the data also show is that patient toilet seem to be particularly prone to contamination and high clean measures seem to be necessary to prevent transmission.

FINLAND STUDY

        The researchers of Aalto University, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the state-owned technical and innovation centre VTT and Helsinki University conducted a research on covid transmission mode and found that coronavirus droplets ejected when a person coughs, sneezes or even speaks can remain suspended in the air for minutes rather than immediately sinking to ground. The droplet are extremely small aerosol particles and travel on air currents.

Differentiation between aerosol/airborne and droplet transmission:

      

       Dr. Wong Sin Yew, infections disease specialist, differentiated aerosol/airborne transmission and droplet transmission in these words:

    “In aerosol transmission, equivalent to term airborne transmission, usually the particle size is less than 10 micro meter. When you talk about droplet; particle size tends to be larger than 20 micro meters usually. If you have larger size, droplet travel lesser distance. Where for aerosol/airborne transmission, distance can be much farther. In airborne, just the breathing out, can transmit the virus. So aerosol/airborne can affect both near and long distance people. Whereas the droplet transmission is only 1 to 2-meter range.

     

      Furthermore, aerosol/airborne is spread by coughing, sneezing, talking and exhaling. Whereas droplet transmission is confined to coughing and sneezing only”. People who inhale the airborne germs do not have to have face-to-face contact or be in the same room as the infected person. It can go across the room. Aerosol goes to person’s lung while droplet mostly reach trachea.

          If a common science students look on above findings of Japanese Chines, Singaporean and Finnish; one can guess that when droplets outburst, there are chances of range of various sizes; micro, medium and macro. Then there is also chance that some of medium size droplets to evaporate and become smaller, often called droplet nuclei.

        So, keeping in mind, Japanese finding, Chinese studies, Singapore research, Finland report and Dr. Wong Sin Saw’s differentiation. It seems that COVID’s virus droplet of 10 micro meter can have some small sort of aerosol/airborne transmission. However, mostly it is droplet transmission.

         Whether the finding of Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean and Finnish are accurate or not? Sagacity demands to give them due consideration for the time being, till the exact mode of spread is confirmed and it is of prime importance to adopt precautionary measurement for all three modes of transmissions.

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE GETTING POPULAR AFTER SUCCESS OF EARLY TRIALS

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE GETTING POPULAR AFTER SUCCESS OF EARLY TRIALS

Prof Waqar Hussain

          Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)is a drug primarily used to prevent or treat malaria. It is also employed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and porphyria cutanea tarda. Now after the invasion of novel coronavirus, physicians started using it; employing the experience of outbreak of MERS in 2012, when scientists conducted hit and trial method on number of drugs and got to know that chloroquine had the ability to block MERS infection; So, keeping in view that experience, the physicians once again used chloroquine to treat new version; COVID 19 but without any tangible scientific evidence. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19 at a pinch. The drug was hyped by President Trump as a “game changer” for COVID-19; that drew worldwide attention. Now, HCQ is under random studies in many countries; with promising result.

CHINESE STUDY

            Chinese scientists (see video) gave hydroxychloroquine to coronavirus patients of COVID-19 in Renmin Hospital, Wuhan. The results showed that the 31 patients who received the drug, showed a lessening of their symptoms one day earlier than patients in the control group. In addition, pneumonia symptoms improved in 25 of the 31 patients contrasted with 17 of 31 in the control group.

FRENCH STUDY

         French scientists conducted study on 36 patients of COVID-19 by using hydroxychloroquine(See video)Review of study by Didier Raoult

 along with an antibiotic and found that all the patients recovered within 6 days; showing 100% result. They also organized a second trial on 80 patients. It showed clinical improvement in all cases except two (one man aged 80 and the other 74. Both apparently had some preexisting health issues).

USA STUDIES

           Dr. Vladimir Zelenko(see video) conducted trial on 699 COVID-19 cases, with 100% success rate, using Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate, Zinc and azithromycin (Z-Pak); antibiotic added to handle secondary infection which occurred when it hit the lungs. Dr Zelenko is now recommending to follow his finding to hit the virus hard and early.

            Dr. William Grace(see video), an oncologist, has been using hydroxychloroquine and an antibiotic in Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He claimed that 100 COVID 19 patients were treated successfully. He disclosed in Fox News interview.

NIH STUDY

             There was yet another study done by the NIH in vitro using hydroxychloroquine. They found it was a potent killer of the coronavirus. There was an additional study by the NIH using zinc showing a decrease in morbidity relating to lower respiratory tract infections.

 HOW HCQ WORKS TO KILL CORONAVIRUS ?   

        

FIRST VIEW

           Dr. William Grace said, it works in two ways. “As you know, the death rate goes up as the age goes up. And what I think is that the more mature your immune response, the more likely you are to have what we call a cytokine storm, which means that people with viral pneumonia die because their lungs fill up with fluids largely from an immune response. And this drug works not only inhibiting virus replication but also inhibits the immune response.”

SECOND VIEW

         Dr. Eric Berg(see video) disclosed that hydroxyquine allow zinc to penetrate the cell membrane and zinc disrupts the viral machinery to stops reproduction of virus.³⁰Zn does the killing but HCQ open the door to allow zinc to penetrate inside the cell.

THIRD VIEW

          It has been suggested that the chloroquines can change the acidity at the surface of the cell, thereby preventing the virus from infecting it.Renowned Pakistani born gynecologist( Fetus Specialist) Dr Muneer Nazeer spoke on the role of chloroquine as antiviral and quoted below reference;

Its antiviral property is written HARRISON'S PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Edition 10, page 477, published in 1983. 
            It reads as: "Viruses: Certain viruses that are surrounded by a lipid envelope bind to the plasma membrane of target cells by attaching to specific proteins on the cell surface. These viruses are then internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis and delivered to lysosomes. At acid pH the membrane surrounding the virus fuses with the membrane of the lysosome, allowing the nucleic acid of the virus to cross the lysosomal membrane and enter the cytoplasm where the virus replicates. Infection of tissue culture cells by these viruses (such as Semliki Forest virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and certain strains of influenza virus) can be prevented by chloroquine, an agent that blocks the function of lysosomes. Chloroquine is a weak base that diffuses into lysosomes and becomes protonated, raising the pH and the ionic strength of the lysosomes. When the pH rises, the lysosomal enzymes fail to function.Virus that require acid pH to fuse with cell membrane can no longer do so in the presence of chloroquine, and the cells are protected from infection......."

FUTURE STUDY

               The future study will be conducted by the Henry Ford Health System after seeking 3,000 volunteers from health workers. Depending on response, the researchers aim to begin study next week. The researcher head, Dr. William W. O’Neil said, in a press release, that the goal is to seek a more definitive scientific answer to the question of whether or not hydroxychloroquine might work as a preventative medicine to help protect medical front-line workers with greater risk exposure from contracting the coronavirus.

              

          In sum up, HCQ has not been evaluated in controlled studies; it is imminent to know that it has numerous mild, moderate and even deadly side effects. Pure scientific approach doesn’t allow to take a drug that has not been proven safe and effective for a disease for which it is not approved. There are just so many issues that can arise, from side effects to serious toxicity and death due to possible interactions with other medications and other underlying health conditions. At present scientists are trapped between Scylla and Charybdis; administering HCQ may lead to drastic side effect and not giving may end up with sever condition of COVID patient.

       However, Scientists are inching near to find the exact mode of action of chloroquine and its suitability to treat COVID19 and sooner the gape among the support group and the opposed group of HCQ will bridge out.

CORONAVIRUS SA 99% BACHNAY KA TAREEKA !

                        !  کرونا وائرس سے 99٪ بچاؤ کا طریقہ 
پروفیسر وقار حسین

ڈاکٹر ڈیوڈ پرائس نے ایک ویڈیولنک کے ذریعہ ، لوگوں کے کرونا وائرس کے متعلق سوالات کے جوابات دیئے۔ (وڈیو دیکھیں ) ڈاکٹر پرائس اجکل پریمیئر ہسپتال نیو یارک کے  انتہائی نگہداشت یونٹ میں  کرونا کے سیریس مریضوں کا علاج کر رہے ہیں ۔
ڈاکٹر پرائس کے مطابق کرونا وائرس بالعموم  ہاتھ پر لگتا ہے  اور جب کوئی شخص چہرے کو چھوتا ہے، تو یہ وائرس آنکھ، ناک یا منہ کے ذریعے جسم کے اندر داخل ہو جاتا ہے ۔ ان کے مطابق یہ بیماری مکمل طور کنٹیگوئس ہے ، ہوا کے ذریعہ اس کا پھیلاؤ بہت ہی کم ہے ۔  مثلا، اگر کوئی شخص حفاظتی تدابیر اختیار کئے بغیر،  کرونا مریض کی قربت میں  ایک بند کمرہ میں، پندرہ سے تیس منٹ رہے؛ تو امکان ہے کہ وہ ہوا کے ذریعے کرونا وائرس کا شکار ہو جائے ۔ ان کے نزدیک اس بیماری کا پھیلاؤ میں :  مریض کے ڈراپلیٹ سے اشیاء کا آلودہ ہونا، پھر ہاتھ کا ان اشیاء سے لگنا اور پھر ہاتھوں کا چہرے سے چھونا؛ یعنی اشیاء، ہاتھ اور چہرے کی تکون  شامل ہے  اور وہ ویڈیو میں  اس تکون کو  توڑنے کےلئے دو طریقے بتاتے ہیں۔

پہلا طریقہ :  "آ دمی ہینڈ ناٹی" ہوجائے  اور اپنا سارا فوکس ہاتھ کی حرکات پر مرکوز کرے کہ وہ کہاں کہاں ہاتھ لگاتا ہے  اور اس کا ہاتھ کن کن اشیاء کو چھوتا ہے ؟ ہاتھ کی سرگرمیاں دیکھنے سے  پتہ چل جائے گا کہ ہاتھ کب، کہاں اور کس طرح سے جراثیم سے آلودہ ہوتا ہے ۔  اکثر دیکھنے میں آیا ہے کہ ہمارے  ہاتھ جراثیم زدہ ہوتے ہیں  اور ہمیں پتہ تک نہیں ہوتا ۔ ہم انہیں صاف سمجھ کر چہرے پر لگا لیتے ہیں۔  گویا ڈاکٹر پرائس کے مطابق پہلا طریقہ یہ ہے کہ ہاتھ کی آلودگی کا ادراک کر کے فوراً   ہاتھوں کو دھو لیا جائے ۔
                                                          :دوسرا طریقہ
انسان کو غور کرنا چاہیے کہ وہ ہاتھ کب، کیوں اور چہرے کے کس حصے  کو بار بار لگاتا ہے؟  2015 میں  آسٹریلیا کی نارتھ ساؤتھ ویل یونیورسٹی میں میری لاؤ س میکلاز نے ایک سٹڈی کروای،  جس میں  چھبیس میڈیکل کے طلبا کی حرکات کی ویڈیو ریکارڈ کرکے دیکھا گیا تو پتہ چلا کہ اوسطاً ہر طالبعلم ایک گھنٹہ میں تیئیس دفعہ چہرے کو ہاتھ لگاتا ہے ۔ تحقیق میں مزید پتا چلا کہ ہاتھ نے چونتالیس فیصد آنکھ ،ناک اور منہ کو چھوہا  اور چھپن فیصد چہرے کے دوسرے حصوں کو ۔ سٹڈی سے یہ بات بھی معلوم ہوئی کہ چھتیس فیصد دفعہ منہ کو؛   اکتیس فیصد دفعہ نا ک کو اور ستائیس فیصد دفعہ آنکھ کو چھوا گیا  اور  چھ فیصد دفعہ ان تینوں یا دونوں حصوں کو چھوا  گیا ۔   
ہاتھ  کی حرکات کے بارے  کیلیوفورنیا یونیورسٹی کے ماہر نفسیات  ڈاچر  کیلٹنر نے بتایا کہ کہ چہرے کو چھونا ،خود کو ریلیکسیشن  دیتا ہے ،  یہی وجہ ھے کہ وہ بار بار چہرے کو ٹچ  کر تا  ھے۔  جبکہ ایک اور سٹڈی سے یہ معلوم ہوا  کہ "جلد کا جلد" کو چھونے سے  "آکسی ٹاکسن " ہارمون خارج ہوتا ہے جو سکون اور فرحت دینے کے ساتھ ساتھ اسٹریس کو بھی کم کرتا ہے۔
ہاتھوں کا چہرے کو چھونے کا عمل لا شعوری ہے ۔ انسان اور گنتی کے دوسرے جانوروں کے علاوہ ،یہ عادت کسی اور جانور میں نہیں ہے ۔ کہ  اس عادت پر قابو پایا جاساس عمل کے پیچھے جسمانی، نفسیاتی ،ماحولیاتی  عوامل وغیرہ شامل ہیں ۔ ڈاکٹر پرائس نے سارا زور اس بات پر دیا ہے کہ اس لاشعوری عمل کا ادراک  شعوری سطح پر کیا جائے تا کے۔  

 عالمی ادارہ صحت کے ڈائریکٹر جنرل ٹیڈروس پریس بریفنگ  میں لوگوں سے اپیل کر رہے تھے کہ چہرے کو ہاتھ نہ لگائیں  اور جونہی  بریفنگ ختم ہوئی تو انہوں نے پہلا کام یہ کیا کہ عینک اتاری  اور آنکھوں کو ملنا شروع کر دیا ۔ اسی طرح کیلیفورنیا شعبہ صحت کی آفیشل کی ایک ویڈیو وائرل ہوئی جس میں وہ خاتون لوگوں کو نصیحت کر رہی ہے کہ چہرے کو ہاتھ نہ لگائیں کیونکہ اس سے کرونا وائرس پھیلتا ہے اور ساتھ ہی انہوں نے اپنے چہرے کو چھونا شروع کر دیا ۔اسی طرح امریکی صدر ایک تصویر میں  انکھ  پر  انگلی لگا تے پائے گئے۔

ان مذکورہ واقعات سے پتہ چلتا ہے کہ یہ عمل لاشعوری ہے اور جب تک اس کو شعوری سطح پر نہ لایا جائے تو اس عادت سے چھٹکارا مشکل ہے۔
اس عادت کو چھوڑنے کے لئے کچھ عملی تجاویز ہیں جن کو اپنا کر خاطر خواہ کامیابی حاصل کی جاسکتی  ہے۔
   یہ ایک منٹ کی وڈیو ضرور دیکھیں
اول: دائیں ہاتھ سے سارے کام کرنے کی عادت ڈالی جائے  اور بائیں ہاتھ  کو صرف اور صرف چہرے کو کجھلانے کے لیے رکھ لیا جائے ۔

دوئم: چہرے کے لیے ایک خصوصی ٹوپی نما کرونا ماسک تیار کیا جائے ۔ ایسا ماسک پہلے ہی غیر قانونی سرگرمیوں میں ملوث لوگ استعمال کرتے ہیں ۔ جس سے سر بھی ڈھنپ جاتا ہے  اور اگر آنکھوں کے سوراخ کی جگہ شیشے لگ جائیں اور ناک کے سوراخ کی جگہ پر ایک باریک جالی جو ذرات اور جراثیم کو روک سکے  اور ماسک  ٹھوڑی سے نیچے تک جائے ۔ صرف کھانا کھاتے وقت  یا پانی پینے کے لئے ماسک کو  اوپر ناک تک کر لیا جائے اور  کھانے پینے کے بعد پھر نیچے کرلیا جائے  اور اسے" کرونا کنٹرولنگ کیپ"  یا صرف ٹرپل سی کا نا م دے دیا جائے ۔
اگر ایسا ماسک کوئی کمپنی بنالے تو اس کے استعمال سے ہاتھوں
 کی چہرے کے ساتھ چھیڑ چھاڑ کو  روک کر کرونا پر قابو  پایا جا سکتا ہے۔  
سوئم: عام ماسک جو ناک اور منہ پر چڑھاتے ہیں ۔ اس کے ساتھ زیرو نمبر کی بڑے سائز کی عینک لگا کر ہاتھ کی چہرے کے ساتھ چھیڑ چھاڑ کو روکا جا سکتا ہے۔
چہارم: ایک اور  ذرا  آکورڈ   ٹوٹکا  ہے کہ انگلیوں کے پوروں پر سرخ مرچ یا سبز مرچ لگا لیں۔ اس طرح نہ صرف آپ کو اچھی طرح پتہ چل جائے گا آپ چہرہ کے کس حصے کو کجھلاتے ہیں بلکہ مرچوں کی ایسی جلن  ہوگی کہ دوبارہ ہاتھ چہرے کی طرف جاتے ہوئے ایک دو دفعہ ضرور سوچے گا۔
پنجم: ہاتھ کے مختلف حصوں پر غور کریں ۔  چہرہ کھجلانے میں پورا ہاتھ استعمال نہیں ہوتا بلکہ صرف انگلیاں استعمال ہوتی ہیں ۔  پوری انگلیاں بھی نہیں بلکہ اگلے پوروں سے کجھلایا جاتا ہے ۔ ساری انگلیاں بھی یکساں استعمال نہیں ہوتیں ۔  تحقیق سے پتہ چلا ہے  کہ انسان شہادت کی انگلی( انڈیکس فنگر )  کو سب سے زیادہ استعمال کرتا ہے  اور چھوٹی انگلی( پنکی فنگر) سب سے کم ۔ تو اپنا فوکس پوروں پر اور انڈکس فنگر پر مرکوز کرلیں  اور ان کی صفائی کو یقینی بنالیں   تو وائرس کی منتقلی کو روکا جا سکتا ہے ۔
اور ڈاکٹر پرائس  کے تجویز کردہ دو طریقوں : " ہاتھوں اور اشیاء کے تعلق"  اور "ہاتھوں اور چہرے کے تعلق"   کو توڑ  کر کرونا سے  ننانوے فیصد محفوظ رہا جاسکتا ہے۔