Coronaga

What is herd immunity? Can't we just 'get it over with' and get as many people to be infected by COVID-19 virus so as to achieve herd immunity? This episode explains what is herd immunity and why it may not be a good idea to target it. Theoretically to achieve it in Nagaland, how many people should be infected and become immune but at what cost? This episode touches on that too. And some words about the Sweden experience too.

It is a sad day. The guest of Coronaga episode 12, Dr. Wetshelo T Mero passed away. Hon'ble Minister who was COVID-19 positive with comorbid condition died today. A total of over 200 new COVID-19 cases were detected today. 

There is belief expressed by some people that the Nagas have stronger immunity due to which there are less COVID deaths. However, there is no proof of that. Besides, when the transmission shifts to the high risk groups, and we have plenty of them with comorbid conditions like Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancers, etc, the situation could become more grim than this.

Do what you have to do, but try to limit socializing is the message of this episode. This is the 25th episode of the channel.

Cancers are usually detected during hospital visits for other health conditions or routine check-ups. By avoiding hospitals during the pandemic, are we sitting on a ticking time bomb for cancers? That is the topic of this episode. The seven early warning signs of cancer, and the findings of the National Cancer Registry Program Report 2020 are highlighted for Nagaland. Also since it is a Saturday, the weekly bulletin is out and important remarks from the bulletin are shared.

After recovering from COVID-19, some symptoms remain in some individuals. Some may suffer for long from certain lingering symptoms even after being declared to be recovered. What is the advice to give to such patients? What is the likelihood of getting re-infected? And the status update of COVID-19 in Nagaland.

In Chokri dialect, as requested, this episode highlights the status update of COVID-19 in Nagaland and the key messages on COVID-19 control

This episode (#21) is in English. The pandemic has affected everyone without exception. But it has hit hard some people more than the others. The non-salaried people are hit harder, the small time business people and also students especially in rural areas. This episode is a personal reflection of how my life has been this year, both at home and at work in the COVID-19 control room. I say it has been a crazy year. If pandemics bring out the worst in people, we see that to be true. But it also is a wake up call: a mirror to see what we are really made of, to develop resilience and grit, to appreciate family and relationships, and to develop our local economy.

On September 10, 2020, the Testing Policy for COVID-19 was revised in Nagaland. This episode (Episode 20) details who should be tested as per the revised policy. 

Also happy to announce a new podcast cover art, and that the podcast is now available in Google Podcasts.

So, we have a new SOP for Returnees and Travellers entering Nagaland, which is effective with immediate effect. This episode covers all the major features of the new SOP, indicating where the changes are, and also the justification for these changes. At both ends of this episode is a message not to become complacent in the face of the 'Unlock' and lifting of restrictions.

In this episode, the processes which go into preparing a Standard Operating Procedure is explained. The scientific basis, the capacity of the State, and the perception of the people are taken into consideration while preparing SOP. 

When village, colony, or various authorities make their own SOP in addition, it can lead to inconvenience and even harassment of the people. 

Should this podcast be shared in youtube or not? Does it make sense to just put audio file with a banner in youtube? 

This week, some new SOPs are expected, here are some of the key features you can expect.

Christmas 2020. How will it be like? And there are anti-mask protests happening in Italy, as also in the US. Where are we headed towards?

We are in Unlock-4, but the COVID-19 cases are increasing. Is the unlock because COVID-19 pandemic is under control?

Psalm 91 and following safety precautions. Is wearing mask a lack of faith?

Freedom and lockdown. Choice and Restriction orders. How should a Christian response be to restrictions during this pandemic?

Future of the church: physical congregation and digital live streaming of worship. Is there a threat of permanent adverse change?

Unusual the days are. Are these signs of the last days?

These are the questions I asked Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). 

Nagaland has experienced total lockdowns along with the rest of India and many parts of the world. This is the first time in our lifetime when churches have been closed for months on end along with schools and other various institutions. Dr. Zelhou faces these questions where there is potential friction of religious faith with the government's restriction orders. Rather than conflict or friction, he says that following the government's SOPs is good and it can be also be an expression of love and care for one another in protecting each other from COVID-19. It is a temporary phase and the intention of the government is not to target the church but to protect people from infection. He urges people to have faith and hope, while not to become complacent in following safety measures.

Also available on youtube Coronaga channel 

There is a confusion over the terms like Containment, Containment Zone, Contact tracing, Sealing, Lockdown, Quarantine, Isolation. All these are measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, the Cluster Containment Plan or Containment Plan or Containment SOP is different and not to be used loosely. This episode clarifies these confusing terms and explains the Cluster Containment Plan. As we enter another phase of Unlock, there are various activities which are still not permitted in the containment zones. This episode explains the conditions which will qualify an area as a containment zone, and what are the various activities which will come with that declaration. 

And the day's (31st August 2020) update of COVID-19 situation in Nagaland.

Episode also available in youtube

People with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms are in Home Isolation. So, what are the tips that can be given on diet, self health monitoring, symptoms and dangers to look out for, how not to spread infection to family members, who are the family members who are at more risk, and how to use Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis. For all these concerns, I spoke to Dr. Wetshelo T. Mero, Pediatrician in the COVID Hospital / District Hospital, Phek, Nagaland. Also the day's (28th August, 2020) update of COVID-19 situation in Nagaland.

A Toll Free State Helpline for COVID-19 is in place to provide various services like: speak to a doctor or counsellor, technical support for nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App, COVID-19 information centre, grievances and complaints. Any caller can avail the service in English or Nagamese. For more details, I spoke with Er. Alongla Aier, Team Leader of the Central Monitoring Team for COVID-19 based at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, Nagaland. 

What is a COVID-19 death? There is no straightforward answer to that in COVID-19 death reporting as explained. This episode presents the death rate in Nagaland in comparison with the national and global average.

When someone dies of COVID-19, the frontline workers prepares the body with all safety precautions and after the coffin is sealed and disinfected, there is no increased risk. The modes of spread of the infection are known. Therefore, the fear of being infected from a dead body is unfounded. Discrimination in life due to COVID-19 positive status, and discrimination in death. This should not be.

The majority of the positive cases are younger males who are highly mobile. Although they are less likely to suffer and more likely to recover, they can spread to the elderly and those with other health conditions who are more susceptible to COVID-19.

What are the types of COVID-19 tests available in Nagaland? Who should be tested for COVID-19?Interview with Dr. John Kemp, Microbiologist, BSL-3 Laboratory, Kohima on the various types of tests, interpretation of results, and a sneak peak at the working schedule in a BSL-3 laboratory. Also the day's (August 21, 2020) COVID-19 situation in Nagaland highlights.

Planning to travel to Nagaland? This is the SOP for quarantine, testing, and discharge. Also the COVID-19 status update as on 20th August 2020 in Nagaland.

What is contact tracing? Who is a High Risk Contact and who is a Low Risk Contact? The process of contact tracing for COVID-19 in Nagaland is explained from the perspective of the general public. COVID-19 status update (19th August, 2020) in Nagaland is highlighted.

Standard Operating Procedure for Home Isolation for the asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases in Nagaland. Status update of COVID-19 in Nagaland as on August 18, 2020.

This episode introduces the podcast channel which is about the situation update of COVID-19 pandemic in Nagaland. It highlights the number of cases detected on the 17th August 2020. Five key steps on how to not go back to total lockdown situation is the main message in this episode. And a few words on the new normal

There is difference of opinion if the names of the COVID-19 positive patients or suspected persons should be revealed. Some argue that in the interest of public health and to identify and avoid the spread of the virus, the positive patients' names should be displayed or revealed. Whereas others argue that every person and patient has the right to privacy and confidentiality. Revealing names have led to stigmatization and discrimination. There is flexibility under the Disaster Management Act 2005 for the States to frame their laws in India. The stand of Nagaland government is to not reveal the identity and doing so is a punishable offence. And of course the day's (26th August) status update is highlighted in this episode.

The advice to wear mask is a standard advice so as to protect yourself and others from getting the infection. New evidence as shared by researchers from the University of San Francisco (Dr. Monica Gandhi) suggests that mask does not only protect you from getting the infection. Even if you should be infected by COVID-19, if you have been wearing a mask, the outcome would be much better. Chances are that you will be asymptomatic rather than suffering from serious symptoms. Also the interesting episode of the two hair dressers from Missouri who unknowingly catered to 139 clients while being positive but not passing on the infection to any of them because of the safe practice they had put in place; this story is shared. And as usual, the status update of COVID-19 cases in Nagaland as on 25th August, 2020.

When you return home from the market or the office, or any public places, what are the safety precautions you can follow to protect your loved ones at home? The market and office are some of the high risk places for which the Government of Nagaland has issued safety precautions. These are highlighted here. And when you are returning from these places, the things that you need to do as you reach home are covered in this episode. Also the day's COVID-19 status in Nagaland (24th August, 2020) is highlighted.

There is high demand for finger tip pulse oximeters and sales are going up. So, what is this machine and what is its place in COVID-19 pandemic? This small easy to use machine is becoming a must-have in the home emergency medical toolkit bag; and especially those COVID-19 patients who are in home isolation and has monitor own health. So, this episode explains all these concerns: why and how to use...and also where you can get one.