As astounding as it may sound, not all viruses are villains. Nature created all forms of life in balance. While some strains are hazardous and fatal, there are several which offer a benefit to humankind!
These viruses infect bacteria, as their name implies. They are found everywhere in the soil and environment as well as in the human gut. They have the potential to be used as therapeutics against many pathogenic bacteria and replace antibiotics.
Heat-resistant viruses
A particular virus which infects a grown fungal endophyte on grass has shown to give this grass the superpower of resisting extra high temperatures.
Scientists experimented with this virus on other plants and gained success. Tomatoes with them can grow at a temperature of 60 degrees Celcius, while those with no virus were not able to survive.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
This is a virus that basically pathogenic for horses and other animals. It may be transmitted to humans and cause blisters in the mouth, but it has made it in the headlines for its oncolytic capacity. It is a promising treatment for cancer as it is non-pathogenic in the case of humans.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus are one of the villains for horses
Adenoviruses
These are a group of common viruses that cause mild and temporary symptoms. Some of them cause Bronchitis, Pneumonia, cold, and stomach infections.
On the other hand, researchers have stepped across a particular strain, HAdV-52, which binds to carbohydrate moieties on the surface of cancer cells and renders them unable to proliferate. This point offers a promising strategy to fight off cancer as well as stimulate one’s own immune system against cancer.
Norovirus
These viruses are of particular interest to virologists. In experimentation with mice, some strains have shown to help in the making of immune T cells as well as decrease the effect of pathogens that cause diarrhea and damage to gut bacteria.
These are of particular interest to virologists
Ancient Retroviruses
Some endogenous retroviruses may be the reason human beings don’t lay eggs. Baffled? Let me explain. Some scientists believe it to be true that, along the journey of evolution, a primitive human ancestor contracted such a virus, which caused mutations in the genetic code that enable us mammals to give live birth.
Gamma-herpesviruses
Infection with one of the strains, MHV-68, has shown to increase resistance against Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria which causes food poisoning.
Gamma-herpesviruses
Cowpox
This virus helped Edward Jenner develop the concept of vaccination in 1796 when he noticed that milkmaids who had contact with cows were safe from smallpox. His vaccination helped achieve the milestone of smallpox eradication two centuries later, so it does not indeed belong to the category of villains!
GBV-C
This is a member of the Flaviviridae family and also called hepatitis G. The odd bit about this little guy is the fact that, if it infects a person alongside HIV, AIDS progress very slowly and improves chances of survival.
Arc gene virus
This gene is responsible for learning processes in human beings. It communicates via sending genetic material from one neuron to the other. This method is similar to that of a virus, and it seems that we inherited our ability to learn and form conscious thoughts because of the genetic material of some ancient brain virus! More research is going on.
“Viruses are, without a doubt, the coolest things I have ever encountered. They do truly amazing things with very little genetic information. I was always a little disturbed at the bad rap they get, so it was stimulating of me to find good ones.”Marilyn J. Roosenick, American Society for Microbiology.
In the last few decades, scholars, theoreticians, and political scientists attempted to classify threats and challenges for the world in the twenty-first century. While these challenges ranged from trade wars, failed states, rogue states, non-state actors acquiring nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, to rapidly deteriorating environmental and cybersecurity threats. Researchers and experts in world politics emphasized the threats of an emerging war-fronts due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and robotics, especially in the era of fifth-generation and hybrid warfare. But nobody thought that microbes could also put a question mark on humankind’s survival in the coming years.
Amid the global scare which has caused since the COVID-19 (Coronavirus as it is generally called) emerged as Pandemic, resulting in lockdowns in 178 countries around the globe, suspension of flight operations, and border closures, the laity can be seen with a dire thirst to understand what the viruses are in reality? Are viruses living things? How the viruses spread? How do they reproduce and multiply? And can we defeat them?
Viruses- Are they Living or Dead?
Viruses are the most magnificent and enigmatic microorganisms found in nature. They are the living embodiment of the “survival of the fittest.” They have been puzzling the scientists since they were first discovered in the 1890s. For over a hundred years, viruses have defined, redefined, and then after a change of mind redefined again. The scientific community had to collectively change its mind repeatedly to define what a virus is? First, they were considered poison. Then they were classified as life-forms and later considered as biological chemicals. Now viruses have been placed by virologists in a grey area between living and non-living.
The word virus has its roots in the Latin term for “the poison.” Because of their varying characteristics and properties, it was challenging to classify them as living or non-living. With every lens applied to study viruses, they varied every time. Initial interest in viruses arose from the scientific understanding that they were associated with specific diseases such as rabies and foot and mouth and that they behaved like bacteria but were much smaller in size. Since the viruses had biological properties―RNA and genes for protein replication which is responsible for infection―they were classified as the simplest of all living things.
In 1935, Wendell M Stanley and his colleagues successfully crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus for the first time. They observed a stack of intricate biochemical which had no essential systems for carrying out metabolic functions. Since they lacked the biochemical activity of life, so the viruses were demoted from living organisms to just as inert chemicals.
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Further research again puzzled the scientific community. Viruses had nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), just like all other organisms, but enclosed in a protein coat. But they were still considered a chemistry set rather than an organism because they could not reproduce or replicate. But the troubling part was when a virus entered the body of another organism, called host after the infection. The behavior of the virus instantly changed, and it was no more inactive. The virus would shed away its protein coat and unleash its genes into the host cells. The viral genes would induce the replication machinery of host cells to replicate viral DNA or RNA and manufacture more viral protein. In this way, the viral infection would spread to other cells exponentially and eventually into the whole of the organism.
Viruses were labeled as parasites as they depended on a host organism for all kinds of metabolic and bodily functions, which are the embodiment of life. From acquiring raw material and energy necessary for nucleic acids synthesis to transportation, protein synthesis, processing, and all other biochemical and metabolic activities, viruses are dependent on the host organisms. Even the multiplication and spread of viruses are dependent on the host organism. Thus, viruses can be deemed as the ultimate and perfect parasite.
These varying behaviors of viruses led the scientists to believe that a virus is capable of fluctuating between living and non-living based on their external environments. Thus they were classified as living in a grey area between life and death.
Interestingly, much data about the microbial world and modern microbiology were attained through the study of viruses. These unique magnificent creatures, who lived on the outskirts of life and had long been considered as mere stacks of complex biochemical, have various useful applications too. Biotechnologists and virologists have extensively used them as carriers or vectors. Due to their capabilities of targeting specific cells, they used as drug delivery carriers in medicine. Being much more straightforward systems compared to bacteria and other organisms, they have also been used extensively for DNA translation, replication, transcription, and protein formation.
Viruses have been using to modify crops genetically to increase their yields and used in various cancer prevention and control methods. Partially dead or weakened viruses have been used in the production of vaccines and have helped us control the pandemics of chickenpox, measles, and polio. Ironically, the vaccine for coronavirus depends on the virus itself. We should not only consider the viruses as deadly and lethal pathogens and consider the blessing which they have provided to us in disguise.
Recent studies have shown that global pollution levels have been reduced all over the world, and the ozone layer is repairing itself rapidly due to lockdowns and reduced human activities. The virus has provided us with an opportunity to self-isolate, stay home, and carry out a global exercise to save not only ourselves but also our planet, our only home.
There has been a solemn air around the world due to coronavirus. People are shut in their homes and practicing social distancing. Are you getting bored, and looking for something to cheer you up? Worry no more, as we present you with some stunning astrophotographs that are guaranteed to make your day better!
Have a look below!
A beautiful picture of the 2014 Geminid meteor shower captured by photographer Tommy Eliassen. The northern lights are visible on the skies of Lovund, Norway.
These horse statues look almost real in this stunning shot from astrophotographer Manish Mamtani. These sculptures captured under the Milky Way are created by artist Ricardo Breceda.
This beauty of a shot is captured by Finnish photographer Mikko Lagerstedt that will surely take the breath away of the viewer. A beautiful combination of the Milky Way in the night sky and the water on earth.
Auroras can be seen with startling clarity in this gorgeous image by Mikko Lagerstedt who has quite a marvelous collection of astrophotographs
Another image by Lagerstedt where the dreamy Milky Way peeks through the night sky.
Do you want to experience astronomy events yourself? Here is a guide to the expected astronomy events of the year 2020. Mark your calendars!
Annular Eclipse: On June 21, an Annular Eclipse is expected. This occurs when the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun. This results in the appearance of a brightly lit ring around the darkened Moon.
Planet Parade: On July 11, skywatchers and stargazers will have a special treat as there will be a planet parade. Several planets like Venus, Jupiter, etc. will be in conjunction appearing to perform a parade in the skies, hence the name.
Mars Opposition: On October 13, Mars will be at the closest opposition to Earth and will be well lit.
Solar Eclipse: On December 14, a total solar eclipse is expected. This phenomenon occurs when the moon blocks out the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
With one in every twenty Pakistanis already infected, Pakistan has the second-largest burden of Hepatitis C infection globally. According to peer-reviewed published data, there are 11 to 13 million patients of Hepatitis B and C are breathing in Pakistan. The HCV shows a homogeneity across provinces, and over time its prevalence is strikingly persistent at a high level.
Understanding Hepatitis
At present, there are six distinct types of this virus have been observed and dubbed as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G, which identified via different viruses and infection procedure. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Hepatitis D Virus or Delta Virus (HDV) are blood-borne viruses. Though all infections are dangerous, the B, C, and Delta can be chronic and fatal by leading to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer!
Acute viral Hepatitis-A is also a common infection among Pakistani kids as some 50 to 60 percent of children have chronically affected by HAV. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis is generally a disease of liver inflammation. It emerges differently in different people and effect according to the virus pathways. In some cases, the epidemic stays self-limiting, but many hepatitis viruses progress to liver damage and even cancer.
According to peer-reviewed published data, there are 11 to 13 million patients of Hepatitis B and C are breathing in Pakistan
HCV rising toll
Hepatitis types B and C are colloquial in the world, but according to published data, Pakistan is possibly the second-highest country in the world, having HCV patients around 10 million individuals. HCV is one of the causes of several morbidities, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, placing a stain in healthcare.
Causes of Hepatitis
Just one or two objectives cannot be described as the leading cause of the whole spectrum. Unhealthy food, avoidable use of injections, unsafe blood transfusion, sharing of needles among drug users, inadequate sterilization of medical pieces of equipment, and therapeutic vaccinations are the leading causes of the rapid growth of hepatitis cases in Pakistan.
Poor sanitary conditions and lack of hygienic practices lead to 90% of children being infected with hepatitis A and mother to baby infections is also the leading cause of this life-threatening disease in the country. Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by the use of contaminated food or water. Whereas, Hepatitis B, C, and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids.
HCV is one of the causes of several morbidities, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, placing a stain in healthcare.
A vehicle with dead bodies
However, the number of hepatitis patients in Pakistan could be more significant, which is roughly 15 million. According to the WHO, some 23000 people died of this disease in Pakistan in the year 2016, which means a bus full of 64 people striking with an accident daily, and nobody stays alive. Now the death toll is higher enough as compared to 2016. According to some medical experts, the current death toll is between 300 to 400 people daily. According to the Aga Khan University Hospital, the situation is very alarming. A recently revealed data shows some threefold increase in liver cancer over the past 20 years. However, it could bring under control by the early screening of vulnerable segments of society, for instance, the drug addicts, weak, and marginal layers.
Requires urgent measures
Achieving WHO targets for elimination entails an in-depth and analytical characterization of Hepatitis epidemiology in Pakistan, both at national and regional levels, to develop cost-effective and targeted prevention and treatment interventions. Initially, we need to kick-start a nation-wide comprehensive program to control the epidemic on war footings. We have successfully launched an anti TB program with lab and X-ray facilities on wheels. A similar initiative of mass testing is much needed to curb the ailment giant sleeping in our livers. The recently available and highly efficacious Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) can treat the infection and reduces its threats.
The starting treatment of hepatitis costs only 25 dollars a month due to cheap medicines available in Pakistan as compared to developed nations. But the high end of the ailment will cost millions of rupees due to the fourth level of disease. Pakistan also needs efforts to come across cheap testing methods for checking out the viral burden in the country.
Pakistan is expected to be amongst the countries worst hit by the recent outbreak of the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. Community spread of COVID-19 has started in Pakistan, and the number of daily cases is spiking (as of March 26, the total number of confirmed cases had increased to 1,179, with 77 new cases in the past 24 hours (12 pm – 12 pm).
A key challenge in responding to significant disease outbreaks, especially of previously undocumented strains, is the lack of understanding of the disease as well as levels of public knowledge on the same. In an environment of sparse and incomplete information, it is often that misinformation, disinformation, and denial take hold in society at large.
At this time, and as the emergency situation is rapidly developing, it is absolutely crucial to provide accurate and reliable information to the general public, while at the same time, working to engage and contest mis-/disinformation. Here is a small effort in this vein. I have tried to note and contest ten significant myths around the Novel Coronavirus.
Myth: Coronavirus only affects old people
Reality: People of all ages can be affected by a coronavirus. Older people have greater difficulty in recovering from the disease. This may be because of frailty, less immune capacity, or a pre-existing condition. However, this does not mean that young people cannot get affected. People of all ages are susceptible and should take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others around them.
Myth: Coronavirus is necessarily fatal, and all affected die.
Reality: Coronavirus is not necessarily fatal. It is a severe disease, and some people need extensive medical care, including hospitalization. However, it does not always result in a fatality, especially if necessary medical care is provided. The effects are more severe on older people or people with pre-existing conditions. While it is difficult to be guaranteed at this time, just under four percent of affected persons may ultimately die. Of these, about 80% may be expected to be persons 60 years and older. This means that very significant segments of any given population do not face a clear and present danger of dying.
Myth: Coronavirus does not spread through handshakes, and advisories against hand-shaking are incorrect.
Reality: Coronavirus can spread through touch. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth or to someone you touch. From there, the virus can enter your or their body and can make a person sick. This will lead to rapid transmission and spread. Avoiding physical contact with other people and staying at least six feet away is essential and recommended.
One of the myths is that the coronavirus does not spread through handshakes
Myth: A face mask is a necessity and guarantees protection against Coronavirus.
Reality: Yes, and no. Masks that tightly fit around a person’s face (such as the N95) can protect healthcare workers as they care for large numbers of infected patients. For the general public, especially persons without respiratory illnesses, wearing lightweight, disposable, surgical masks is not necessary or recommended. Since such masks don’t fit tightly, they may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth, or eyes. Further, people with the virus on their hands and who happen to touch their faces under a mask might become infected.
On the other hand, people with a respiratory illness can wear these masks to lessen their chance of infecting others. Bear in mind that stocking up on masks makes fewer available for sick patients and health care workers who need them. Let’s all be responsible.
Myth: Closing public spaces such as mosques, restaurants, and cinemas, and imposing isolation will not stop Coronavirus spread.
Reality: Coronavirus spreads when people cough or sneeze, releasing tiny droplets of mucus and saliva into the air that contain the virus. These droplets can land on all types of surfaces, including tables, chairs, doors, light switches, et al. Besides, they can land on other people as well. If the droplets land or are breathed in by another person, they can cause infection. Similarly, if the droplets land on a hard surface and someone touches that hard surface, they can get infected in that way as well. Therefore, it is essential to minimize contact between people so that it slows down the spread of the virus. In this, closing places that bring together large numbers of people and hold them together in tight spaces can help keep people apart and reduce contagious spread. This is a standard public health practice and has continually been implemented around the globe in multiple contexts with relatively high success rates.
Myth: Eating garlic helps protect against Coronavirus.
Reality: Garlic is a healthy food that has anti-microbial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that suggests eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Several myths around COVID-19 call for eating different kinds of fruits and vegetables, without any scientific evidence
Myth: Hot liquids kill off Coronavirus and should be drunk frequently.
Reality: Staying hydrated is always essential, especially during infection, including novel coronavirus. However, there is no evidence to suggest that drinking hot or cold water (or gargling) prevents a possible coronavirus infection.
Myth: Taking a hot bath helps protect against COVID-19.
Reality: Taking a hot bath does not help protect against COVID-19. Actually, if people take this myth too far in their minds, taking a hot bath with boiling water can be harmful since it can burn you! The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands with soap and water; or, with hand sanitizers. By doing this, you would eliminate coronavirus that may be on your hands. In turn, this helps avoid infection that may occur if people touch their eyes, mouth, nose, or someone else.
Myth: Regularly rinsing your nose with saline water helps protect against Coronavirus.
Reality: There is no evidence from the current outbreak that suggests regularly rinsing one’s nose with saline water has protected people from infection of the novel coronavirus.
Myth: Taking steroids or acetic acid will help protect against Coronavirus.
Reality: There is no evidence from the current outbreak that suggests taking steroids or acetic acid will help protect against novel coronavirus.
In these days of trouble, one thing that we have to understand and make a strong effort toward solving is knowledge accessibility. There’s no second opinion on the inefficacy of our education system, which has led to an immense social and economic disparity. It requires intervention on the scale of infrastructure, governance, and execution, but most importantly, it requires empathy.
Ever since the spread of SARS- CoV-2 (COVID-19) started making rounds on news and social media, public health organizations and government institutes started to undertake interventions that could contain the spread of the virus, treat infected people and protect the ones who could be at risk.
Prevention, at many times, serves as the best tool to fight against such outbreaks. This is why everyone started rallying around “Flattening The Curve,” i.e., undertaking measures that will slow down the spread of the diseases, thus buying the first-responders a critical resource called time. Drastic measures have been taken to flatten this curve; countries have locked down, citizens put in quarantine, public gatherings have been banned.
Another essential campaign that started as an individual measure to help flatten the curve was washing hands with soap!
Hand washing campaign
For us, knowing that we have a non-existent healthcare research ecosystem, which is translatory, individual and community-based measures such as physical distancing, washing hands, avoiding unnecessary contact with potentially harmful surfaces, covering face while coughing and sneezing, are the only options to spread the virus. Our present healthcare system can diagnose a limited amount of patients, but what next? Do we have enough ventilators? No. Is our spending on Science & Technology coupled with a policy framework at a position where a therapeutic could develop, tested, and deployed? No!
While there have been several guidelines distributed by WHO to ensure that the public takes necessary precautionary measures for protection against COVID-19, these guidelines are in English, and in Pakistan, at best, these are in Urdu. These circumstances make a significant portion of the population that cannot understand English, increasingly vulnerable.
Our team at Genes & Machines decided to undertake a community effort to increase the accessibility of precautionary guidelines for local communities within Pakistan, along with general awareness to prevent infections and the spread of viral diseases. We translated precautionary guidelines from English to Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, and Pushto. We were supported by several local organizations and initiatives in Pakistan such as Pukhtoogle, Thar Education Alliance, Scientia, Campaignistan, The Writers Lounge, OASIS, along with others in their capacities.
These partners helped in ensuring two things,
The guidelines were accurately translated
They reached the people they were initially intended to.
And we were glad that it happened, but this isn’t enough. There are A vast majority of people who still are unaware of what to do at this point? There is a massive percentage of the population that does not have digital access.
These translations are open and free to use. In this challenging time, we want to help in whichever capacity we can to help spread the message to help spread the awareness. If you’re a content creator, a digital media agency, someone from the government, if you’re at home worried about what to tell your family and friends, if you want to announce it to your neighborhood through your local mosque, use these!
Also, this is a time where many people will go unnoticed, and these will be expected to affect the most by physical distancing and lockdowns, and also those who will not be able to afford the resources necessary to move to online education, help them out with the resources you have. We are all united, and together we can make a significant difference.
We are hopeful of keeping up these efforts to help create more guidelines and translate important research work if you want to partner, email at qasimhassnain@gmail.com.
The coronavirus pandemic is posing an exceptionally global threat – it has respected no border. It emerged from one particular location-Wuhan, but now more than 180 countries are suffering worldwide. According to Reuters news agency, globally confirmed cases have crossed the 390000 figure. This viral explosion is influencing nearly all domains: economy, society, politics – all are affected at a notable scale. Economic fall is near to cross its threshold: WTO warned that the virus outbreak can cause a more severe economic recession than 2008. As per Bloomberg’s latest report, the global economy could suffer $2.7tr which is equal UK total GDP. Social norms are also reversing drastically: people do avoid handshake, informal talks, and casual sports activities. Both socially and economically, this outbreak is becoming a massive challenge.
Economic Impacts
A strong economy is considered a hallmark of a nation’s progress. Growing economies ensure power and wealth, but when they get dwindled, everything suffers. Coronavirus is hitting the world’s economy in general and developing countries in particular. It is disrupting the supply of goods on a global scale; resultantly firms are in great trouble in meeting their targeted goals. The forecasters are predicting a looming recession which would be more disastrous than that of 2008.
In 2003, China’s economy was around 4 percent of the world’s GDP, and right before the Corona outbreak, it was marking 16.3 percent of the world’s total. As expected, pandemic gave a severe hit to China: it alone faced a dramatic loss of about $103bn or 0.8pc of its GDP – estimated by the Asian development bank. China and the US are the world’s largest economies. Any shock to these countries may shake the world’s market. Recently, the Wall Street stock exchange dropped over 13pc in a day due to virus fear. The UK Stock Exchange saw the most critical suffrage since 2008. Hot perils are knocking at the door as the IMF and WB are issuing new warnings to the economy. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World economy could grow at its slowest since 2009.
As expected, the pandemic gave a severe hit to China. Image Source: Getty Images
Bloomberg forecasting that the global economy slides to 1.2pc which is far behind than that of the past year. The report further says that it may grow even slower than 1.0pc if the outbreak will keep on intensifying. Factories are facing complete suspension as workers prefer to stay at home to avoid the attack of COVID-19.
Tourism is also affected by the coronavirus outbreak. It’s been an income source for many countries but now has been drastically affected. Italy has blocked all of the tourist sites for an indefinite time. China, South Korea, and Japan have also issued warnings at tourists’ resorts. Tourism Industry is at the risk of confronting pronounced blows in the coming days.
Trade enterprise is also declining due to COVID-19. Due to lockdown, more than 1.7 billion people have to stay at home, says Reuter. By observing this all, one can envision the extent of disruption in trade activities. China’s global supply chain is experiencing history’s worse difficulties because China has put a shut over its trade corridors. Pakistan is among the top 20 countries that are being affected by China’s trade halt. Pakistan’s economy, says the Asian development bank(ADE), can suffer 1.7pc GDP loss due to the Coronavirus flare-up. Unfortunately, due to some policies lapses, 956 cases with COVID-19 have been confirmed. If the government failed to handle the situation timely, Pakistan could go into complete lockdown. However, tables can be turned with intellect and wisdom.
In short, the global economy is under pathetic assault. World leaders and scientists are struggling hard to control the circumstances. The need of the hour is to put a pause on the outbreak flow; otherwise, losses would be irreversible.
Tourism Industry is at the risk of confronting pronounced blows in the coming days. Image Source: EPA
Social Consequences of Coronavirus Outbreak
History reveals that pandemics keep on reversing the norms. Social distancing is becoming an individual obligation. China, being an epicenter, is feeling segregated from the rest of the world. Every person views it as a criminal. Italy prohibited its citizens from all the non-physical and sexual activities. The hysteria of the virus spurt is affecting people’s social activism. Social distancing, self-isolation, and fear have truly effected free socialization and the beauty of society.
Institutions, around the globe, are closed to prevent the spread. Academic activities are at a long hiatus. However, online classes may compensate, but only to those who are equipped with facilities and privileges. The academic break is extending for an indefinite period. Where the course of time will direct us, no one can predict with significant confidence.
COVID-19 has drastically impacted humanity. Chinese are at the center point of the world’s aversion. One Chinese citizen was severely whipped by US citizens with the slogan ‘go to China with Corona ‘. Countries abandoned their relations with Italy and China. Consequently, hate and discrimination are gaining ground. Our repulsive attitude will lead us nowhere.
Solidarity is the need of the hour. If nations exercise unification, peace and harmony will be maintained among them; otherwise, as the corona game will be over, a cold weapon pandemic may come into play.
“This world is a Union Town, and its time to show that”-Bob Rose
Around 30 years ago, a great intellect Noam Chomsky came across some manipulating strategies the media often used, and these days, when we are having things like internet, Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms, media can influence our lives more than ever, and this influence does not necessarily always positive. Newsmaker has many ways to manipulate our consciousness. It seems that many media outlets in Pakistan have been trying to push their own agenda that often results in the truth being bent. Let’s check out the ways media misinterpret the fact in recent COVID19 outbreak.
#COVID19 –a novel virus from the coronavirus family has become a global pandemic in early March, more than 10 thousand people have died, and still there no break seems. Pakistan is also battling hard to counter the spread, and several preventive measures have been taken, including the closure of educational institutes, closing intercity and inter-provincial transport service, and a partial lockdown by closing wholesale and retail markets. Meanwhile, quarantine centers have been established to isolate patients or suspects of this novel-coronavirus, to cease its rapid spread.
After the World Health Organization had declared COVID19 a pandemic, the economists are outlining it as a state of emergency just like in a war. In this scenario, Media have a grave responsibility for educating masses about the crisis, precautions, preventions, and medication processes?
While International Media have specific scientific research desks that deal with daily scientific News, and in case of some epidemic outbreak in any part of the world, the science desk staff takes the lead to cover the stories. Editorial is bound to consult with the science desk editor, so only trustworthy News can be published or broadcast.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there have been fewer science communication activities, and none of our local universities is providing courses or education of science journalism. This identifies the need for the science desk in media outlets an extra expense. Most of the news channels are working without the existence of a science desk. A few leading media outlets have science journalists, but they are also not well trained or well connected with the global science and health organizations.
There are some misinterpretations in Pakistan’s media related to #COVID19 stories.
Lockdown or Quarantine
Corona outbreak in China and the authorities decided to quarantine Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic. Following the term of “lockdown” western media used for the situation either intentionally or due to lack of knowledge, Pakistan’s media adopted the same word as it is used by the west despite continuous opposition by some famous science journalists. Later the phrase lockdown becomes so much familiar, and when the virus spreads in Europe and various US states – The global media used the same for them as well. Although it’s still not a technical term to tackle any epidemic, lockdown is generally a technical term that refers to a specific situation in wars like Germany, and other countries had witnessed during world wars.
An empty market in Karachi during restrictions. Image Credit: AP
Coronavirus dies at a higher temperature.
Well, I am not aware of the person who initiated this theory, but it went viral, and the entire Pakistani media industry reported it without a fact check or having significant evidence from scientific data or research. The media made a perception that coronavirus will die on 30-degree centigrade or above temperature. Eventually, the virus never dies, they are de-activated or destroyed. The understanding brought Pakistanis in a relaxed mood, and they started enjoying the partial lockdown by the government. Even our PM Imran Khan quotes this in a presser.
Patients or suspects
Initially, media reporters and desk’s bigwigs got confused between suspects and patients of coronavirus. Anyone – who was tested by the authorities declared as patients. Later they realized that putting someone in isolation doesn’t mean he/she is patient. But it was too late when they realized their mistake, now the entire nation falsely believes that one – who is quarantined is a patient.
Epidemic study
As I mentioned earlier – Media outlets in Pakistan lack science desks, so we were unable to go through a study or research article related to coronavirus outbreak. We are having a severe deficiency of statistics that how much resources we need during a major city lockdown? Even the media doesn’t have the actual figure that how many ventilators are available to patients in hospitals around the country.
Epidemic study is insufficient
Rating gamble and click Bait News items/blogs
Our Media usually works on rating mechanism, and after the advent of digital media, the situation gets worsened, we witnessed leading News outlets of Pakistan working on creating every single information as a breaking News, their digital media wings adopt the same strategies like the click-bait news item in recent pandemic days, which shows a severe lack of professionalism in our media industry. Although Clickbait is considered a crime in the global digital media outlets, it seems that we are far above for these considerations might because our media outlets are running by DONS and wealthiest businessmen.
Choice of a wrong panel
In prime time talk shows, we more than often spectacle politicians, clerics, TV stars, and even sports stars discussing the epidemic. Still, hardly we watch any medical scientist/expert or biochemist in such talk shows, and it merely happens, our TV anchors humiliate or create an unpleasant situation for the scientists due to severe lack of knowledge and scientific wisdom.
Non-ethical Approach
Last but not least – when the first case of coronavirus reported in Karachi, we observe that several media outlets not only revealed the identity of the patient but also published the hospital record with the patient’s name, his family identity, address, and other contact detail. This ridiculous act put the patients and their families in threat, and the administration had to provide them security.
A bit of this recent history in the pandemic shows an entire lack of professionalism, ethics, and non-scientific attitude adopted by major media outlets in Pakistan. We can cope with this nuanced situation only by educating our editors, journalists, and reporters about scientific wisdom, ethics, and essential roles of science reporting. The institutions like CEJ, IBA, Karachi University, NUST, LUMS, and COMSATS, should kick-start science communication courses, and these courses should mandatory for web editors of major media outlets of Pakistan.
From Athens flue pandemic to the black-death and AIDS, these vast volumes set to offer a sociocultural, historical, and medical look at infectious diseases and their place in human history, from Neolithic times to the present. Nearly 300 centuries cover specific diseases like AIDS, Influenza, Malaria, Ebola, SARS, Corona, and now COVID19.
In the realm of infectious disease, a pandemic is a worst-case scenario when an epidemic spreads beyond a countries borders and causes an overwhelming threat or death toll worldwide or some major parts around the globe. Though contagious diseases enlisted during pre-historic nomadic groups, nearly 10,000 years ago, when men started building communities, it resulted in a slight rise in epidemic outbreaks like Malaria, Plague, Leprosy, Influenza, smallpox and other fatal diseases. Over time, the more civilized humans become, building extensive infrastructure and forging trade routes to connect with the cities in different regions of the world, the more likely the pandemics become.
The primeval recorded pandemic occurred during 431- 450 BC when two power states in ancient Greece, Athens, and Sparta assaulted each other. After the disease passed through Libya, Ethiopia, and Egypt, and Athens, nearly two-thirds of the Athens’ population, died due to this epidemic outbreak.
A painting that depicts the horrors of plague in Italy in the 17th century
Scientists and researchers have agreed on that the widespread occurrence of disease over what might typically be expected in a geophysical region. Throughout the history, the plague has been a significant threat to humanity, caused havoc and the most substantial death toll from 165 A.D. to 541 A.D. It not only changed the course of emperor’s plans of massive economic struggle but at the same time, it credited with creating an apocalyptic atmosphere that spurred the rapid spread of Christianity and resulted in substantial social, moral and geographical changes.
Decades later, in the 11th century, leprosy overgrew into a pandemic in Europe. Though leprosy is slow-developing disease results in sores and deformities, now known as ‘Hanson’s disease,’ it still grips millions of people each year and could be fatal if not treated at the initial stage with antibiotics.
Bubonic plague or Black Death is another pandemic that was responsible for the death of one-third of the global population in the late 12th and 13th centuries. It kick-started in Asia and through caravans spread through Sicily and entered in Europe. Meanwhile, England and France were so incapacitated by the plague that these countries called the cessation of hostilities. Still, the pandemic caused massive economic and demographical changes and resulted in the collapse of the British feudal system. The re-occurrence of the bubonic plague in the next two centuries killed 50 million people, around 26% of the total global populace.
In 2019, research revealed that the death of some 56 million native Americans during the 16th and 17th centuries, mainly through pandemics and many had altered earth’s climate and vegetation growth on previous tilled lands, drew more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and caused a severe cooling effect. Correspondingly, 18th, and 19th centuries have widely been recognized for cholera, plague, measles, HIV/AIDS, and different types of harmful flu. Only Asian flu spread in 1957 in China and U.S. caused an estimated death toll of about 1.1 million, while AIDS killed 35 million people around the globe so far until it first appeared in 1920, and a cure is yet to be found.
So, with this rough bit of pandemic history, what does this recent Coronavirus outbreak holds on? While we are benefiting with the hype of biotechnology and artificial intelligence, a pandemic seems a little bit strange and disgusting. The recent COVID19 outbreak shows that men still need to learn the safest battle against pandemics/viruses.
The constant battle between pandemic and humanity has long been recognized as a critical driver of social, moral, economic, and geographical changes that lead to human evolution. In the past, scientists have not had the tools to look at the patterns of these pathogens and their hosts, but now they are applying big data analysis to unveil the extent of viruses’ impact on the evolution of living beings specifically on humans and mammals.
History tells us that whenever a pandemic occurred at some point in evolution, the population that was targeted by an epidemic either adapted or went extinct. The protein performs a vast array of functions that keep our cells ticking, a few small tweaks in protein shape and composition had helped humans to compete with the viruses when they hijacked an organism’s body to replicate and spread.
A recent study shows that by learning which part of the cell has been used to fight against viruses in the past without detrimental effects on the organism, we can find insight on the pressure point that will lead to investigating more sophisticated and effective therapies.
Have you ever noticed a link between what you eat and how it affects your mood and thoughts? I’m pretty sure a refreshing fruit drink or a nice plate of delicious food boosts your mood and does wonders. On the other hand, if you eat CRAP for several days continuously, you’ll definitely feel cranky, have negative thoughts littering your head and severe mood swings.
The term of Nutritional Psychiatry was recently coined in 2015 and focuses on the development of detailed and strong evidence linking diet and mental health. In recent studies, there is growing evidence that a nutritious and balanced diet may help to cure mental disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia, and ADHD. Recently, the link between a good diet and physical health was quite well-established, but now the link between a healthy diet and good mental health is also on its way to being a strong one.
Protective factors for Mental Health
Let’s discuss what we mean by a healthy diet.
A healthy diet is one that contains a balanced amount of all the nutrients that we require for the proper structure and function of our body. It must contain a proper portion of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water.
According to researchers, the Mediterranean diet is best for fighting depression and overall physical and mental health. This kind of diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, methyl folate and s-adenosylmethionine, all of which help to lower depression. These good fellas can be found in several healthy foods like fruits, vegetables especially potatoes, whole grains, cereals, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, olive oil, meat, eggs, and dairy products.
A low-calorie diet is also helpful for the maintenance of a healthy mind. Researchers noted in a study that healthy people who reduced their calorie intake by 25% for 6 months also had reduced depressive symptoms. Similar studies show that intermittent fasting helps in relaxing one’s mind and ridding it of depression, anxiety and mood disturbances.
Dietary Recommendations:
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates; choosing wholegrain versions where possible
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks); choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of fluid a day. If consuming foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar have these less often and in small amounts
NUTRIENT
EFFECT OF DEFICIENCY
FOOD SOURCES
Vitamin B1
Poor concentration and attention
Whole grains, vegetables
Vitamin B3
Depression
Whole grains, vegetables
Vitamin B5
Poor memory, stress
Whole grains, vegetables
Vitamin B6
Irritability, poor memory, depression, stress
Whole grains, bananas
Vitamin B12
Confusion, poor memory, psychosis
Meat, fish, dairy products, eggs
Vitamin C
Depression
Vegetables, fresh fruit
Folic acid
Magnesium
Selenium
Zinc
Anxiety, depression, psychosis
Irritability, insomnia, depression
Irritability, depression
Confusion, blank mind, depression, loss of appetite, lack of
motivation
Green leafy vegetables
Green veggies, nuts, seeds
Wheat germ, Brewer’s yeast, liver, fish, garlic, sunflower seeds,
Brazil nuts, whole grains
Oysters, nuts, seeds, fish
Emerging New Fields
Nutritional
Psychiatry: a growing discipline that focuses on the use of food and
supplements to provide these essential nutrients as part of an integrated or
alternative treatment for mental health disorders. But nutritional approaches
for these debilitating conditions are not widely accepted by mainstream
medicine.
Nutritional
Psychology: the science of how nutrients affect mood and behavior. This
field examines the relationship between food and our internal experience,
illuminating the biophysiological mechanisms, influenced by our nutrient
intakes that underlie mood and behavior.
Nutritional
neuroscience: the scientific discipline that studies the effects various
components of the diet such as minerals, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates,
fats, dietary supplements, synthetic hormones, and food additives have on
neurochemistry, neurobiology, behavior, and cognition.
The role of diet in relation to specific mental health disorders
Depression Diet has emerged as a therapeutic approach seen directly in the work of Adult Mental Health Dietitians, who work with people who experience mental health problems to improve knowledge and awareness of nutrition. A recent study exploring the correlation between low intakes of fish by country and high levels of depression among its citizens found that those with low intakes of folate, or folic acid, were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those with higher intakes. Similar conclusions have been drawn from studies looking at the association of depression with low levels of zinc and vitamins B1, B2 and C, as well as studies looking at how standard treatments have been supplemented with micronutrients resulting in a greater reduction in symptoms in people with a diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder.
Schizophrenia The Dutch Famine Study and 1960s Chinese famine found that severe famine exposure in early pregnancy leads to a two-fold increase in the diagnosis of schizophrenia requiring hospitalization in both male and female children. Studies have found that people with schizophrenia have lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their bodies than the general population and that antioxidant enzymes are also lower in their brains.
Dementia Many studies have shown a positive association between a low intake of fats, and high intake of vitamins and minerals in the prevention of certain forms of dementia. One study looking at the total fat intake of 11 countries found a correlation between higher levels of fat consumption and higher levels of dementia in the over 65s age group. A long-term population-based study found that high levels of vitamin C and E were linked to a lower risk of dementia, particularly among smokers, with similar findings in other studies focused on different population groups.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Clinical research has reported the benefits of essential fatty acids and minerals such as iron. Deficiencies in iron, magnesium, and zinc have been found in children with symptoms of ADHD, and studies have consistently shown significant improvements with supplementation when compared with placebo, either alongside normal medication or as stand-alone treatments.
How much role does food play in Mental Health?
If you’re showing concern about what’s on your plate and expect that it is sufficient to support your mental health and cure your mental disorders, you are again wrong. It is just a supporting factor for a healthy mind along with others. A good diet has the added benefit of counteracting the adverse physical health effects associated with many mental health problems and some treatments. Along with a substantially healthy diet, you need to exercise, relax, manage time and stress, etc. we believe that the role of a nutritionist is only to tackle obesity, but we underestimated the potential that food has to cure moods and mental ailments. There is an urgent need for policy-makers, practitioners, industry, people who experience mental health problems and the wider public to recognize and act on the role that nutrition plays in mental health.
To achieve parity between mental and physical health, it is vital that the public is informed about the type of diet that will promote their mental health in the same way food is promoted for physical health reasons. Of equal importance will be understanding the mediating role that mental health plays in our lifestyle choices, including our diet. However, the wider impact can be achieved by national and local policy, well beyond individual actions.
