COVID-19 and Immunity

June 2, 2020:

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus which is believed to have originated in China in late 2019. Over the last five months, it has spread across the world, affecting 188 countries as of June 2, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. India and many other countries are making efforts to find its cure and vaccine, but success seems to be far away.

The virus has taught us many things. We have learnt that it attacks weaker persons more severely. Who is weak? A person with a weak immune system can be called weak. In the absence of a vaccine or a cure, it becomes our duty to strengthen ourselves by enhancing our immune system. For achieving this, we will have to change our lifestyle. We do not necessarily have to spend money to strengthen our immunity, as it consists of simple processes.

God has given us a charming nature. But we are running away from nature, and chasing a materialistic life. We are cutting down forests and and indulging in incessant mining, which has resulted in high levels of pollution.

To control pollution, we will have to plant more trees and check illegal mining. Less pollution will boost our immunity. Besides controlling pollution, we should get up early in the morning and exercise our body – we can walk, jog or cycle. We will also have to change our diet, and produce corn, vegetables and other crops without using fertilisers and pesticides.

Consuming such food will enhance our immunity at large. Our eating time should be fixed, say breakfast from 8am to 9am, lunch from 1pm to 2pm, and dinner before 7pm.

Going to bed early at night is important. Exercise, sports and games, deep breathing, yoga and meditation can also help build our immunity. To wash away our anxieties, cooperation is the best medicine.

Narender Kumar Sharma

The writer is a teacher based in Bassi, Joginder Nagar. Views are personal.

Picture by: Glenn Carstens-Peters