That’s exactly how the government has made it look like.

The source of data: Wikipedia and JHU CSSE Covid 19 Data. Total cases world wide: 141M, India cases:15.6M, Covid Deaths in India: 1,82,553. (Last updated data 4 days ago). Very heartfelt speech by Prime minister Modi while he addressed the country. A speech in which he thanked people of the country for their contribution during the entire 2nd wave. He also said, “Wherever we are today is because of the cooperation of people and their mindful act” he also said “we are in a better place.”

It was so impressive that Mumbai’s alone fine collection for violation of covid public protocols is nearly 50CR. Prime minister also revised last year’s COVID situation, reminding us of our health care facilities and medical advancement was not really up to the mark. He said, “We almost took an entire year to understand the virus, since it was fresh and strange.” He also drew comparison between this time (second wave) and last time (first wave). He said, “Now we understand more about the virus, set-ups, major aspects and our scientists have developed the cheapest vaccine in world.” But in his speech he did not mention how states and hospitals are also running short of the vaccines and oxygen cylinders instead Mr. modi said, “The availability of the vaccines will remain free of cost in the Government hospitals.”

He also added the government will speed up and strengthen the vaccination drive for people above 18 years of age after May 1st. Meanwhile in a recent record of highest deaths 2020 people died on 21st April 2021 alone. People were found struggling with availability of beds in hospitals, oxygen supplies, medical facility and vaccines.

Mr. Modi also applauded the NGOs, communities and people involved in helping people hit by the pandemic. He has also pleaded people to come forward in smaller groups and support the people in need and also ensure that people around them are following Covid protocols. If they do so, the government will never have to set up containment zones, curfews, and the Central government hopes and does not want to impose lockdown. The Prime Minister has requested the States to see lockdown as the last option.

In a recent development and the prevailing Covid situation of India, UK is to add India inRED travel list, also Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be able to travel to India.

But for now, the Indian Prime Minister can be seen requesting and expecting cooperation from the people and the people are expecting for a rigid action to curb the COVID crisis. In the see-saw of expectations between the Government and the public all we see the death toll rising and setting up records every single day.

The post Second wave of COVID-19 setting death records in India appeared first on Maverick Times.

Apart from the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA has started with the administration of the covid vaccinations, Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine which is being provided on a priority basis to the health service workers and elder people. 

In the United Kingdom, a 91-year old woman, Margaret Keenan had received the first dose as her ‘early birthday present’. A few days later, an American nurse became the first person to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the United States.

The USA president Joe Biden had decided to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in public next week. Being 78 years he is in the high-risk group for the disease followed by Kamala Harris and Mike Pence. Joe Biden is supposed to start his office from January 20 and is considering the fight against corona his top priority. 

The Food and Drug Administration earlier had approved the vaccine on emergency use against Covid-19 among people above 16 years of age. The FDA has issued the Emergency Use Authorisation after approving the effectivity and safety data of the vaccine. While the vaccine is administered on an emergency basis, some of the vaccines are being used in phase 3 of the clinical trials. 

These have been some prominent side effects of the Pfizer vaccine. Such as pain in the injection area. The Pfizer vaccine is supposed to be given in two doses in three weeks. Among the thousands of participants, a common side effect has turned out to be pain and swelling in the injection site. 84% People have complained of redness, firmness, tenderness and warmth in the administered area. 

Around 63% of the participants had been experiencing fatigue, while 55% have complained about muscle pain and 38% of headaches. In the majority of situations, the effects were mild and not serious. Some people informed about joint pain and fever after the administration of the vaccine. 

Dr Matthew Heinz in Arizona said that the effects after the second vaccination are more intense ad the immune system ‘has already been exposed. It gets hit with another dose and it has a sort of quicker and more robust response. That makes a lot of sense immunologically,” he added.

In rare cases, patients have reported adverse effects. 0.5% of the patients have reported bell’s palsy basically facial paralysis. In these four cases, although there were no indications that the reason for the paralysis is the vaccine. 

People have also faced allergies due to vaccination. The FDA has also advised people that they should consider taking vaccines only if they are not allergic to any of its components. 

Dr Heinz suggested people schedule their doses to efficiently manage the fatigue and other effects. In case of pain, it can be controlled using medication or under a doctor’s advisement. 

However, it is imperative to understand that these side effects are normal and can be resolved. The immunity towards Covid-19 becomes ineffective if a person leaves the second dose. 

Recently, Brazil’s president, Bolsonaro had been reportedly considering the coronavirus as the mere flu while for the world it is a pandemic. He has announced that the corona vaccines especially the Pfizer-BioNtech will ‘turn people into crocodiles and bearded ladies’. 

While launching a vaccination program in the country, he mentioned that he will not be the injection. He stated that the Pfizer has clearly mentioned that they would not be held responsible for any side effects or other repercussions of the vaccines, this pushed him to not get vaccinated. 

Although no one is said to be forced into getting vaccinated, it is also mandatory to an extent in order to wipe out the virus from the world. There will be side effects, according to the FDA, however, it is not serious and can be controlled.

The post Pfizer’s side effects include paralysis, Biden to get vaccinated while Brazilian president refuses appeared first on Maverick Times.

On December 6, the Serum Institute of India (SII) became the first Indian company to sought approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use authorisation of the vaccine, Covidshield in the country by stating medical interests of the people in the pandemic situation. 

Earlier, the American Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer applied for approval for their vaccine from the Indian drug controller after securing permission from Bahrain and the United Kingdom.  

Covidshield had been advanced to the phase 3 clinical trial by the Serum Institute of India and Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) along with trials for Oxford’s AstraZeneca in Brazil and the United Kingdom. They will be able to provide the vaccine in India based on the second and third results of the clinical trials, they claimed last month. 

Now, SII with ICMR had successfully manufactured 40 million doses under risky conditions and stock license, they obtained from the DCGI. Covidshield is highly effective against the virus and its infections said the official sources on reviewing the clinical trials in Brazil, India and the United Kingdom. 

Even the Indian Air Force is ready to help in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the country including the far and remote regions using their well-equipped and advanced aircraft. 

Although there has been no official statement by the government regarding the assistance of the army in the distribution of the vaccine as there is no place for doubt in their capability of transportation of millions of vaccine doses. 

The air force has the C-17 heavy-lift aircraft that can bear cargo up to 75 tonnes and the C-130 Hercules aircraft can lift up to 19 tonnes. Including smaller planes and choppers for providing vaccines in remote areas. 

The army has completed the necessary requirements for transportation of distributing the vaccine from the cold storage network in special boxes without affecting the temperature and thereby not losing its effectivity. 

They also have expertise in supplying medical aids and equipment in emergency situations, such as during the Uttarakhand and Jammu flood, the army was a great help in providing relief to the people. 

SII is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer in a joint venture with the Oxford and AstraZeneca to provide the vaccine on an emergency schedule. They have given about 12 batched of their vaccine for testing and examination in Kasauli to the Central Drug Laboratory. 

Prakash Kumar Singh, the Additional Director of the SII said that their vaccines are also committed to making their country self reliant and independent with an intention of fulfilling the call for Make in India and Vocal for Local. 

The early accessibility of the vaccine is a necessity and is in the public interest across the globe, they requested for emergency use of Covidshield calling their vaccine a ‘safe, effective, programmatically suitable and affordable vaccine’ for our country.

The post Serum Institute apply for emergency use of Covidshield in India, army to help in the distribution appeared first on Maverick Times.

Coronavirus vaccines are ready to be used by January 2021, as two vaccine candidates have advanced to the phase 3 trials that are planned to be used in emergency situations. 

The vaccine of the Serum Institute, Covidshield and Bharat Biotech, Covaxin can be made available for use in India by January 2021.

On December 4, in the all-party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said in a few weeks vaccine shots will be made available in India. He also mentioned that the price of the vaccine which will be finalised considering the interests of the people with the state government’s permission. 

Narendra Modi strictly demanded the political parties to not spread rumours and make pseudo claims about the vaccines. Presently, eight vaccines are being developed by scientists in the country and they are confident that their advancement in the vaccine research has increased the chances of combating the disease. However, it is important to consequently adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures of the coronavirus. 

It is planned that the patients, old people and the frontline workers would receive the vaccine first. The Indian policies were formulated keeping in mind the scientific rules which has resulted in the country’s successful control measures and treatment. 

The centre and states have been working and coordinating intimately for developing the vaccine. Its distribution and administration has been planned better than the other countries. The prime minister also said that the vaccination network and capitalisation is highly efficient and effective however some details and logistics will be required from the state governments. 

India has reportedly developed a software, Covin which will provide the schedule of the administration of the vaccine along with the information about its stocks and availability. A special force of experts have also been set up for the research which also constitutes officers from every zone and concerned ministries. 

The AIIMS Director, Guleria has also said that India’s vaccines are ready to be made available for the public soon after the phase three trial ends. The United Kingdom has also given its approval to the Pfizer vaccine for emergency usage. 

Pfizer can also be approved in India within days only if the drug controller permits its usage on the basis of the details and results. He also has the authority to request more tests and would not require Indian data results, he added. Apparently, Guleria had said that vaccines could not be made available for the people till 2022. 

However, now in case of an emergency, if approval is given, the companies will be allowed to administer the vaccine for a limited time to control the situation. In order to secure the approval, they will have to submit the information of the vaccine which would include the effectivity, the side effects and other details which would be helpful in securing the permission. 

The post AIIMS approves two vaccines for use in India by January appeared first on Maverick Times.

The COVID-19 curve of the country is high, the speed of the coronavirus pandemic is seen to be accelerating rapidly. The laxity during the festive season, and the oncoming winter is causing a significant rise in the cases. After seeing this condition again, questions have also arisen in India’s minds that whether a complete lockdown can be imposed in our country again? As on Tuesday Active Covid cases in India rose again thus it was the third increase in the past four days, and fresh infections recorded in the country outnumbered recoveries by more than 5,500.

However, several states across India have reimposed the lockdown restrictions with a sudden spurt in coronavirus cases. While the Delhi government has raised the fine for not wearing face masks to Rs 2,000 and reverted to the earlier cap on the number of wedding guests, night curfews and Section 144 have returned in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and others. 

With these decisions, the reimposition of the total shutdown has started doing the rounds. Speculations are rife that PM Modi, after meeting the chief ministers on Tuesday, might announce another lockdown in states where the cases are rising. 

Since the country is standing on the verge of the second wave due to laxity in adhering to COVID-19 protocol despite knowing that the coronavirus has not vanished completely. People become normalize with huge gatherings, started visiting without masks or adhering to other government guidelines.

The government was justified in telling people to maintain social distancing and asking them not to assemble in large numbers during the festival season.

If the government announces another lockdown, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, it would be disastrous for the retail and recreation sector, which is still suffering from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts said that the fresh nationwide lockdown can create disruption in both the demand and supply of the economy. Analysts believe that the situation will worsen if any option other than a total shutdown would be considered. The order for closure of markets, at a time when retail inflation has reached 7.61 percent (due to a rise in food prices), could have disastrous financial consequences for the country.

Data from Google mobility trends revealed that markets, especially those dealing with non-essentials have not regained their pre-pandemic activity levels. The search engine has provided data on community mobility in six categories— Retail and recreation, grocery and pharmacy, parks, Public transport, workplaces, and homes.

While the mobility-related to grocery and pharmacy entered into positive territory until November 17, the retail and recreation sector, on the other hand, have suffered the most as it was still 15% less than the baseline. It reached its highest post-lockdown value a day before Diwali.

The post States impose lockdown with certain curbs, curfews are back appeared first on Maverick Times.

As coronavirus cases surge across the world, with little relief in sight, the world got good news on Monday. After pouring lots of effort into research, Pfizer and its partner, the German company, BioNTech, announced preliminary results that suggested their vaccine was more than 90 percent effective and finally soon this vaccine will give us a way to get out of the restrictions that have been imposed on all our lives. Till now their vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised hence trial suggests that the final product may be ready this year itself, but India may not immediately benefit from it.

Pfizer spokesperson said this is a vaccine that was developed by using mRNA technology and it makes use of the messenger RNA molecules that tell cells what proteins to build. The mRNA, in this case, is coded to tell the cells to recreate the spike protein of the novel coronavirus. Once the mRNA is injected into the body, the cells will use its instructions, creating copies of the spike protein, which is in return expected to prompt the immune cells to create antibodies to fight it. But the due to its extremely stringent temperature requirement for mRNA vaccines it is making it difficult to be used in India as part of a national immunization strategy. Further added it is expected to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

However, Pfizer has tied up with German drugmaker BioNtech and Chinese company Fosun for the distribution of this vaccine in Europe and parts of Asia but India is not part of this global deal. As the reason behind India not signing any advance purchase agreements with global or domestic vaccine makers is that the mRNA vaccine will need to be stored at minus 70 degrees(ultra-low temperature freezers) which is not available in India, therefore it seems impossible for India even it has appeared as a challenge even in the country like the US too. Therefore the Indian government is not enthused about procuring the vaccine.

ET reported, “This is why most national immunization programmes, especially in countries like India, would look to choose a vaccine that is easier to administer.”

The post Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine isn’t expected to reach India anytime soon appeared first on Maverick Times.

Doctors and frontline healthcare workers at Delhi’s Hindu Rao Hospital run by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) have intimidated to end their services within 48 hours in protest against non-payment of their salaries for almost last four months.

According to the sources, many post-graduate doctors and senior residents of SCB Medical College and hospital who are engaged in Covid19 duty in different districts are facing difficulties in managing their daily expenses. Also paying the house rent is difficult for them to manage. They are being forced to work under extremely stressful times without any payment.

In June, the Supreme Court had taken serious note on the non-payment of doctors engaged in Covid-19 duty and asked the States to settle the issue soon. Till date the situation remains the same.

Despite receiving instructions from the Health and Family Welfare department regarding delayed salary payments, administrators in the accounts section of the hospitals continued to play mischief and harass them for no reason.

NDTV reported, 220 resident doctors and about 300 nursing staff have stopped working at the covid-19 hospital. Despite this yet doctors haven’t received any response to their salaries.

Doctors are on strikes over non-payment of salaries and protested outside the hospital with “No pay, No work” placards.

Later on SC said, the hospital has admitted that Delhi government is responsible for its “lackadaisical” manner in not releasing funds due to which salaries are not paid timely.

Doctors and nurses are ‘corona warriors’ and deserve our praise as they are working relentlessly day in and out by putting their and family member’s life in danger to save coronavirus patients but today they have to fight for their own rights.

Doctors reported they are away from home and do not have enough money. Doctors are at their mercy to get their salary credited. How can they be neglected like this? Their sacrifices are being extremely demeaned to no value and it is demotivating to see such a depressing response of the authorities to the repeated requests of the doctors for their salary.

The post Doctors of NDMC Hospitals on strike; unpaid from past four months appeared first on Maverick Times.

By Archita Srivastava

The National Informatics Center, which designs government websites, has reported that it has no details about who developed the Aarogya Setu app and how it was created. The Chief Information Commission has drawn up the NIC, which falls under the Ministry of Electronics, and has given a notice of show cause to various Chief Public Information Officers asking them to refer to the RTI request that asked them about the Covid-19 contact tracing. The response can not be evasive, the CIC said, as per media reports. 

The complaint was lodged by one Saurav Das who claimed to have approached the NIC, the National E-Governance Division (NeGD), and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology seeking information on the existence of an application downloaded by millions of Indians during the lock-up. Downloading a smartphone application is also a must before accessing restaurants, cinemas, metro stations, as stipulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. But Das said that neither NIC nor the ministry had data regarding the creations of the app, Hindustan Times reported.  

The CIC has also asked the National Information Technology Center to clarify why its name is on the website, but it does not have any information about it. 

“The Commission directs the CPIO, NIC to explain this matter in writing as to how the website https://aarogyasetu.gov.in/ was created with the domain name gov.in, if they do not have any information about it,” Information Commissioner Vanaja N Sarna has ordered. 

The CIC noted that it is not just about the creation of the app that nobody “seems to have” any knowledge of the files generated, the feedback obtained, the audit steps taken to verify whether or not personal data is being misused. 

Concerns about the software and its security features have already been created. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had previously accused the government of violating data protection. “The Arogya Setu app, is a sophisticated surveillance system, outsourced to a Pvt operator, with no institutional oversight – raising serious data security & privacy concerns. Technology can help keep us safe, but fear must not be leveraged to track citizens without their consent,” he had tweeted. 

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad then denied the allegations and said that Aarogya Setu had not been outsourced to any private operator.

The post Who created Aarogya Setu? No info from Ministry, RTI body issues show cause notification appeared first on Maverick Times.

Amidst the growing pandemic, wearing masks in public places is one among many precautionary guidelines of COVID-19 implemented by the government.

These are important for the protection from the Coronavirus, however, in a recent study issued in the International Journal of Multiphase Flow, a science journal, revealed that masks cannot avoid the suspension of the contagious cough drops in the air for a long time.

Many people have the misconception that gravity allows the cough particles to drop on the ground. The small droplets travel a long distance in a straight line and evaporate. However, it is not the case.

These small virus-carrying drops stay in the air much longer as they get transformed into aerosols. These infectious particles can travel for about 8 metres risking the lives of various people. There is a higher risk of getting infected in poor ventilated or humid areas.

This concern does not resolve with social distancing as it takes a minimum of 15 minutes for an average drop to fall on the ground. Such drops are suspended in the air risking the health of the surrounding people.

Coughing while wearing a mask leads to a cloud of drops flowing in the air which is 23 times smaller than the average size, according to a study. When a Coronavirus patient sneezes or coughs, a larger volume of air becomes contagious due to the pressure of the sneeze or cough, revealed journal of Physics of Fluids.

On the beginning of the pandemic, there was a huge demand for masks, people had to stand on the queues in front of the medical shops for hours and even ordered them from the online shopping sites which took a lot of time to deliver.

In order to save time and money spent on purchasing tens of such masks, people have stated stitching them at their homes. They combine multiple layers in a mast with a tight fit. This makes the mask more usable and prevents spreading of the virus. However, there is still some leakage between the material and the nose. 

An experiment conducted by the Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, they made a mannequin wear the mask. It was observed that the drops would not travel more than 6.3 centimetres including the cane face mask which allows the drops to travel only 20 centimetres. This makes such masks safer and it also saves money.

Also, in another study of the journal of Physics of Fluids, it was found that a few seconds after the cough as the volume of the infected air is 23 times more than the air after the cough. The mask significantly reduces the volume and there is a decrease in the chances of spreading the infection.

Apart from the mask, there are actions that also prevent the spread of the virus such as a handkerchief, using hands or elbow to cover the mouth while coughing. As they help in reducing the volume of the air exerted and preventing the spreading of the infection.

Mostly, the masks people use are ineffective in protecting them from Coronavirus. Many sciences and research-oriented journals and universities are spreading awareness about the effective prevention measures for the Coronavirus pandemic which people are considering for their protection.

The post Masks do not stop Covid-19 only reduces cough volume appeared first on Maverick Times.

The Covid-19 tracing app, Aarogya Setu has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Director-General Tedros Adhanom said that the application has helped the government’s health department to locate Covid infected people and expand the testing.

Such tools and technologies are required to be implemented for testing public health like distance or contact tracing to stop the chain of the viruses, said WHO. One such tool, Aarogya Setu application developed by the Government of India was downloaded by 150 billion users.

The app helped the authorities to locate the group of infected people and control the spread the Covid-19. It is operated through Bluetooth and the location device in the phones. The app recognises the individual from the phone and notifies the presence of a covid infected person in your vicinity.

The medical information of people is shared using the app which includes location, date and time. The application also gives the necessary measures that should be taken to control the virus.

A member of the US parliament said, ‘India is one of the most important allies of America and I am happy that this special partnership remains strong in these pandemic times.’ he also said that India is working hard in helping the world to fight covid.

The third level trials of the AstraZeneca Vaccine by Oxford are being conducted in India. It is also rumoured that they will be made available by December 2020. The central government is also hopeful that by 2021 around 400-500 million doses will be made available in India.

Covaxin, a vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology, is under testing. It is in the second phase of the human trial. 

Tedros has also praised Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for his speech at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He encouraged India is the largest vaccine-producing country. They have the capacity to produce and supply vaccines for corona to the whole world.

The World Health Organization appreciated the Prime Minister for showing unity and defeating Covid-19 by pooling their resources together. The government is constantly attempting to stop the spread of the virus. India is in a much better level in the world despite growing corona patients. 

The Chief of WHO applauded India for the Ayushman Bharat Scheme using which India will be successful in dealing with the virus. It is an opportunity to focus on primary healthcare.

‘If India was not a part of the Vaccine production, it would be impossible to manufacture the coronavirus vaccine for the world, said Dr Swaminathan, Head scientist of the World Health Organisation.

The post WHO appreciates India for Aarogya Setu appeared first on Maverick Times.