Can clapping hands kill SARS-CoV-2

The only soundwaves known to damage bacteria and viruses are ultrasonic waves, which are above 20 kHz. These high energy waves can disrupt biological material only when in direct contact (at distances of a few millimetres in a liquid medium), and where energy loss is minimal. Studies have shown that all forms of hand-claps generate shock waves of frequencies ranging from 1-10 kHz. Clapping with cupped hands increases enclosed volume, which causes an additional Helmholtz-type resonance

Mental health of people in isolation

There have been several efforts to examine the psychological experiences of patients undergoing quarantine/self-isolation over the years, not only in the context of COVID-19. Some mental health concerns found to be prevalent among such people are depressed mood, emotional disturbances, increased levels of stress, irritability, insomnia, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anger, and emotional exhaustion. Of these, depressed mood and irritability stand out as especially common concerns. Others include frustration due to uncertainty and lack of information about health and recovery, and the possibility of infecting others

Fasting, yoga and SARS-COV-2 infection

Can fasting help reduce the chances of catching the SARS-CoV-2 infection? While many studies have shown that nutrition and immunity are linked to each other, some studies suggest that fasting “resets” the immune system. However, there is no evidence to suggest that fasting reduces the chances of getting infected. SARS-CoV-2 is known to spread mainly through the respiratory droplets that an infected person releases when they cough or sneeze. It is just as likely to infect a person who is fasting as it is to infect a person who is no

Are people from northeast India spreading the SARS-CoV-2 infection?

COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This means that the virus has jumped to humans from animals. Studies indicate that this spill-over to humans happened outside the country, and has nothing to do with any particular community or ethnic group in India. Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest that people from a specific region or of a certain ethnicity are more likely to spread this virus than other

Can the SARS-CoV-2 infection spread through the use of air conditioning?

According to a recent study, a SARS-CoV-2 infected person releases about 1000 droplets (containing viral particles) within a minute of loud speech. These droplets can remain airborne for at least 8 minutes. Thus, despite physical distancing, the SARS-CoV-2 infection may spread if people share the same air for prolonged periods in confined places with poor ventilation (i.e., without access to fresh air). This also means that centrally air-conditioned rooms may increase risk of infection. This is because A/Cs circulate air back into the same space repeatedly, thereby also circulating any contaminants (like virus particles) in the air

Are people living at high altitudes and in northeast India protected from SARS-CoV-2 infection due to higher UV exposure?

Electromagnetic radiation in the Ultraviolet (UV) wavelength is generally harmful to living organisms. There are three subtypes of UV light: UVC (200-280 nm): UVC is absorbed by RNA and DNA bases, and can damage them photochemically. It is, however, completely filtered out by the ozone layer. z UVB (280-320 nm): UVB can also cause damage to RNA and DNA bases, but it is 20-100 times less efficient than UVC. Almost 90% of UVB is absorbed by the ozone layer. z UVA (320-400 nm): UVA is the major UV component in sunlight (~95%) that reaches the Earth’s surface

Mental health of children during the COVID-19 outbreak

How can the COVID-19 outbreak affect the mental health of young children? Children respond to stressors in different ways depending upon their age, previous experiences, and the coping mechanisms that they typically use to manage stress. In the present situation, the emotional health of children might be impacted by: z Their awareness of stress experienced by those close to them. z Disruption of their regular structure and routine (school, playdates, physical connections, etc.). z The way information is presented to children. This can play a significant role in impacting their mental health. Giving incomplete or age-inappropriate information can contribute to greater levels of stress in children

Mental health of the elderly during the COVID-19 outbreak

How can the COVID-19 outbreak affect the mental health of the elderly? The outbreak of COVID-19 could lead to greater levels of stress in the elderly, as a result of being more at risk of the infection. It could also lead to increased feelings of isolation, especially if they are already experiencing conditions like widowhood, limited mobility etc. Loneliness can increase the risk for depression and anxiety. Those who rely on social contact out of their homes are even more vulnerable to mental health concerns