COVID-19 pandemic has affected all major parts of the world and even after spending time in lockdowns, following social distancing, and wearing masks, it doesn’t seem like its ending anytime soon. On one side this pandemic has marked the problems and flaws in the healthcare units as well as changed health policy. On the other side, it has emphasized paying attention to individual health and make it a priority instead of ignoring it.
The ‘normal’ life after a pandemic seems impossible despite the fact that coronavirus cases have reduced in many areas. It is necessary for at least 70% of the world’s population to acquire a herd immunity against the coronavirus which will help in stopping new cases of coronavirus and deaths caused by the virus. But this idealistic approach doesn’t regard newborn babies that are not immune to the virus.
Also read- Dry Eyes Disease is Highly Common During Coronavirus Pandemic
It looks like the long-term immunity against the virus is impossible. There are many cases reporting the second attack of coronavirus despite recovering from the first one. It raises questions on the herd immunity which may or may not be true. There is no way to understand coronavirus immunity without detailed and long-termed research which is unfortunately not possible right now. One has to wait to find out if the herd immunity for coronavirus is true.
A small section of the total population has the virus right now but the problem remains the same because people are as vulnerable to this virus as at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. If there is nothing as herd immunity, people, even the recovered people are at high risk of a re-infection which makes it hard to manage the new cases.
On the other side, the experts believe there is only one way to control the new cases which are by social distancing and avoiding public gatherings. It sounds true and effective but after spending months in lockdown where the economy was almost on the verge of collapse, staying at home doesn’t seem like an option.
Now that lockdown in many areas has been lifted or eased, a large population of people is on the roads. The social distancing measures don’t seem to be followed as the health authorities recommend to do. In this case, the second wave of coronavirus seems evident. Whereas many researchers believe that the first wave is still not over and much liable to last longer.
In addition to the hygiene measures and social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic is highly likely to ask permanent changes in life. Lifestyle and dietary habits need to be updated according to the researchers. The old lifestyle and social habits may not be tolerable now and instead of making it a problem, it’s better to accept it.
Also read- 30-Year Long Study Reveals Diabetes and Weight loss as High Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Work from home may be the future of many careers, the personal contact may be limited, and preferably online, the hot-desk and joint-work may be abolished soon. Awareness of the risks and possibilities of following the ‘old habits’ is necessary. Health experts are suggesting that there is no way ‘back to normal’ even after the pandemic ends because no one really knows what’s coming next.
These behavioral changes are to be attained and sustained for the long term. Many countries are revising their public health policies to address the problems and improve community health. Together everyone should adopt the post-COVID-19 pandemic new normal life with health as a top priority.
