By Tunde Henry
Quite a number of people have recovered from the virus. There are currently more than one million cases worldwide and close to 300,000 people who have recovered from the virus according to Johns Hopkins Hospital Statistics. Also, Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting 209 countries and territories around the world.
Currently, there is no specific medicine or vaccine for COVID-19 and no medicines or vaccines have been fully tested for safety and efficacy. There are limited studies on COVID-19, making it an invincible enemy and most countries around the world have issued a stay home order to their citizens in order to contain the spread.
Many publications have revealed that risk of death is only higher in older people ( above an age of ~60 years ) and people with pre-existing health conditions. People of all ages can be infected with the virus but older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Why so much panic?
The virus is new, different from the existing ones and no available cure or vaccine yet, also there are limited studies about the virus.
In the most severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Disease in children appears to be relatively rare and mild with approximately 2.4% of the total reported cases reported among individuals aged under 19 years.
As per the experts in the field, heat and warm weather is likely to decrease the spread of COVID-19. This could be the reason why most African countries with poor healthcare systems but still coping with the virus way better than most developed countries with Italy having most of the casualties. Though there’s no concrete evidence about these conditions, but it stands to reason that a virus will be less viable and survive for a shorter time in an environment of 38° Celsius, compared to one of 15 ° Celsius.
After the first reported case in Lagos, Nigeria, Lagos State government should be commended for their efforts and preparedness for the virus and other states should follow suit.
Just recently a Nigerian activist, Ayodele Osowobi shared her story on how she survived the coronavirus on her twitter, wanting to inspire hope. She explained how she thought she was going to die but kept fighting, ” I fought to live ” she said. She also mentioned how she took 31 tablets everyday and how her system threw most out.
Eventually, she was tested negative for the disease, few days later she was discharged. “ Today, I am proud to inform you that I murdered COVID-19 and have tested negative twice and have been discharged, ” she announced.
“ To every young person out there, please give your lungs a chance to beat this. Can I encourage you to stop smoking & live a healthy life at this time ? A healthy lung is key,” she concluded.
Also, on Monday, the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed how he fought the virus after being tested positive. Though asymptomatic he went into isolation and put his effort in boosting his immune system. He said he took Vitamin C, carrots, as well as Black seed oil mixed with honey.
“So, there are local solutions to boost immunity. Our people should not fret. Just as I have been able to get the virus out of my system, so will it be for majority of our people ,” he said.
Mr. Makinde also said that his administration will make sure that no citizen of Oyo state dies from contracting the virus.
