City Pulse

The Karnataka Health Department announced that as of March 17, 11 people are tested positive for Coronavirus in the state. This adds to the list of growing updates on COVID-19. While generally it's essential to keep a tab on the awareness, precaution or the measures taken by various agencies to tackle COVID-19, the overwhelming narrative of the Coronavirus, such as their causes, history, legal sanctions, consequence on mainstream media outlets as well as Social Media may leave one with stressed, sad, confused, scared and angry. 

Recently, even the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has also directed the telecommunication firms to relay a 30-second information clip on Coronavirus, instead of ringing tone. The move by the DoT has received a mixed reaction, while few have lauded the awareness initiative against Coronavirus, others have remained critical of the same.

Overall there is a constructive caution among retailers, outlets, public transport sector, hospitals taking poise against the virus. But on the other hand there are also barrage of misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information floating on social media suggesting unscientific findings, cure, therapy or self-medication on Coronavirus – that may cause more harm than good.

For some, the repeated relay of qualified or unqualified information, may not only enhances anxiety level and trigger panic buy as witnessed in Australia; but also makes it hazy to distinguish and may lead to information overload and cause panic. Even WHO has listed out Myth Busters to do away with fake reporting of Coronavirus.

Acknowledging the growing stress, World Health Organization (WHO) has come-out with guidelines that can to a great extent reduce unwanted stress surrounding Coronavirus, such as:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle - including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends.
• Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as WHO website or, a local or state public health agency.
• Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor. Have a plan, where to go and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.
• Contact your friends and family. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.

Pay attention to your Children 

• Children may respond to stress in different ways such as being clingier, anxious, withdrawn, angry or agitated, bedwetting etc. Respond to your child’s reactions in a supportive way, listen to their concerns and give them extra love and attention.
• Children need adults’ love and attention during difficult times. Give them extra time and attention. Remember to listen to your children, speak kindly and reassure them. If possible, make opportunities for the child to play and relax.
• Try and keep children close to their parents and family and avoid separating children and their caregivers to the extent possible. If separation occurs (e.g. hospitalization) ensure regular contact (e.g. via phone) and re-assurance.
• Keep-up to regular routines and schedules as much as possible, or help create new ones in a new environment, including school/learning as well as time for safely playing and relaxing.
• Provide facts to children about what has happened, explain what is going on now and give them clear information about how to reduce their risk of being infected by the disease in words that they can understand depending on their age. This also includes providing information about what could happen in a reassuring way (e.g. a family member and/or the child may start not feeling well and may have to go to the hospital for some time so doctors can help them feel better).      

Besides, taking precautionary measures, promptly contacting Health agencies if one feels that they have encountered the symptoms of Coronavirus, and reporting cases of Health check evasion by third party - by large there is no reason for panic or scare or stress.

According to the list released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Karnataka has five COVID-19 testing centres, which includes two laboratories in Bengaluru. The other three labs are based in Mysuru, Hassan and Shivamogga. In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMC&RI) and the National Institute of Virology Field Unit have the facilities to test COVID-19 samples. 

While updating that there are several ongoing clinical trials both under western and traditional medicines to prevent or cure COVID-19, WHO said that updated information will be released as soon as clinical findings were available. It has also laid-down basic advisory for the hygienic practices that can enable people to prevent contact and spreading of Coronavirus.