ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness caused by a highly contagious novel coronavirus creating catastrophe globally. With no specific treatment and approved vaccine for COVID-19 till date, the practice of social distancing, preferably called physical distancing and staying home has been adopted as a part of the prevention and control strategy against the spread of 2019 -nCoV infection-causing COVID-19. But the implementation, extension and repetition of the lockdowns creates various threats not only on the economy but also on the psychosocial and behavioural changes in general. This article critically discusses the positive effects of lockdown along with its adverse possible outcomes or effects. The adverse effects experienced are multidimensional like psychosocial, mental and economical. The recent insurgence of COVID-19 cases, shortage of intensive care ventilators, quarantine, and ill effects of lockdown have led to depression, anxiety, insomnia, fear and insecurity in the common man. Worst ever economic recession has been noticed after COVID-19 lockdown. Consumer spending and buying power have also reduced significantly in all sectors. The looming crisis in developing nations is predicted to devastate economies disproportionately and ramp up inequality in such nations. This lockdown has pushed millions of people in various countries to no work, no income and hunger. The positive effects like reduction in air pollution, better lifestyle are also observed. The reduction in soil, water and air pollution is eventually helpful to live a healthy life. People are following proper hand washing practices, practicing respiratory etiquettes and maintaining proper personal hygiene and have embraced health promotion and disease prevention measures seriously. Traffic volume and street crimes have also been reported going down. Education has become digitalized and affordable. Family members are spending time with each other and developing gratitude towards their loved ones. Food waste control is critical. This lockdown has improved the food shopping performances in some places and a positive behavioural change for the prevention of food wastage is expected in other countries also. Lockdown reduces the reproduction of coronavirus, i.e., to reduce people having confirmed infection and treated as a case. The goal is to keep the reproduction number 'R' below one (R < 1), through mitigation & suppression. Embracing health promotion measures and practicing social responsibility is the need of the hour. However, policymakers should strive for maintaining a balance in measures in order to reduce the devastation of economies apart from safeguarding the health of the people.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting nearly 190 countries. As of July 17, 2020, more than 13.9 million people worldwide had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 with more than 5.93 lac deaths. In Saudi Arabia as of now there are overall 245,518 cases and 2407 deaths. Many aspects of transmission, infection, and treatment still remain unclear. Personal characteristics such as age, gender, medical conditions or co-morbidities, diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors of a COVID-19 infected individual play an important role in deciding the clinical severity of the disease. Until an effective vaccine is available, the primary methods to reduce spread are face masks, social distancing, and contact tracing. Monoclonal antibodies and hyper immune globulin may provide additional preventive strategies. Advances in prevention and effective management of COVID-19 will require clinical investigation and interventions. Individual risk assessment and its management can play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.