21-day lockdown is dreadful. All good things in life will fall short as 4 hours weren’t enough to stock all the good things for the next 21 days. Everyone expected the lockdown to take place in a benign form. It didn’t.

The announcement came as a big bang taking everyone with surprise. The announcement was accompanied by a frenzy on roads where everyone came out to fill their car tanks and buy medicines. I can vouch for Noida and say that it was a freak show on 24th night. I kept on thinking as to why people are filling their car tanks? Where will they go? Lastly, aren’t petrol pumps part of the essential services? It was not the time to ponder as I was tired of cars racing down roads. I quickly made the way to my society. 
&nbsp; 
As usual, I was stopped by the guards and asked to show my forehead. They took my temperature. One of them promptly said, 'Good, it is 93.7, you can go.” It was the best thing to have happened to me. I slept well. The excitement of the word did not die. Next day before entering the office my temperature was taken and it again it was at 93.7. I felt elated. There were people around me whose temperature came a notch higher and it made me feel somehow more secure and superior. I felt that I have better genes and immunity. It made my day.

From past one week, I have had my temperature taken day and night which makes me feel buffered from the assault of the invisible beast which is eating into the planet, spreading slowly like an unstoppable weed in a well-manicured garden. I don’t know whether these temperature machines are accurate or not? I’m also told that a majority of them are of non-Indian origin and probably Chinese, but it does not make me less excited about these Star War look-alike guns. It is because of these plastic guns that I get to hear the sweetest word which is 93.7.

Lastly, I tried looking for the dogs outside the office. The pack disappeared. I think they all went to the other part of the town searching for food. As I mentioned all food stalls have disappeared and people are absent, many animals must be going hungry.

Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue while speaking to his constituents in Varanasi. He spoke of feeding animals. I was surprised that man at that level understood that absence of people can make animals go hungry.

There will be no quick fix solutions as people cannot possibly feed them as the majority of them will never be allowed to come out of their houses, at least for 21 days. This will be one of the prices we will have to pay for the coronavirus outbreak apart from social and economic. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

21-day lockdown is dreadful. All good things in life will fall short as 4 hours weren’t enough to stock all the good things for the next 21 days. Everyone expected the lockdown to take place in a benign form.

21-day lockdown is dreadful. All good things in life will fall short as 4 hours weren’t enough to stock all the good things for the next 21 days. Everyone expected the lockdown to take place in a benign form. It didn’t. The announcement came as a big bang taking everyone with surprise. The announcement was accompanied by a frenzy on roads where everyone came out to fill their car tanks and buy medicines. I can vouch for Noida and say that it was a freak show on 24th night. I kept on thinking as to why people are filling their car tanks? Where will they go? Lastly, aren’t petrol pumps part of the essential services? It was not the time to ponder as I was tired of cars racing down roads. I quickly made the way to my society. As usual, I was stopped by the guards and asked to show my forehead. They took my temperature. One of them promptly said, 'Good, it is 93.7, you can go.” It was the best thing to have happened to me. I slept well. The excitement of the word did not die. Next day before entering the office my temperature was taken and it again it was at 93.7. I felt elated. There were people around me whose temperature came a notch higher and it made me feel somehow more secure and superior. I felt that I have better genes and immunity. It made my day. From past one week, I have had my temperature taken day and night which makes me feel buffered from the assault of the invisible beast which is eating into the planet, spreading slowly like an unstoppable weed in a well-manicured garden. I don’t know whether these temperature machines are accurate or not? I’m also told that a majority of them are of non-Indian origin and probably Chinese, but it does not make me less excited about these Star War look-alike guns. It is because of these plastic guns that I get to hear the sweetest word which is 93.7. Lastly, I tried looking for the dogs outside the office. The pack disappeared. I think they all went to the other part of the town searching for food. As I mentioned all food stalls have disappeared and people are absent, many animals must be going hungry. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue while speaking to his constituents in Varanasi. He spoke of feeding animals. I was surprised that man at that level understood that absence of people can make animals go hungry. There will be no quick fix solutions as people cannot possibly feed them as the majority of them will never be allowed to come out of their houses, at least for 21 days. This will be one of the prices we will have to pay for the coronavirus outbreak apart from social and economic. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The sweetest word is 93.7: Day 3 of lockdown

WION has started #ASKWION campaign where we are pleased to answer all your <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/coronavirus-outbreak-how-to-keep-children-safe-expert-answers-all-your-questions-287557">Covid-19 related queries</a>. Use #AskWion and send us your questions on Twitter tagging us.

Here are answers to some of the important questions related to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-countries-that-are-setting-example-for-world-in-fight-against-coronavirus-288195">Coronavirus</a> which can help you protect yourself from the pandemic.

Q: Does Covid-19 spread through the air? &nbsp; 
A: Coronavirus spreads through droplets which remain airborne for a duration of 8 hours or longer to enable transmission and drop on a surface due to gravitational force. Though there is one study which suggests that airborne transmission of the virus may stick to airborne droplets which probably drop up to 3 feet from the infected sneeze or cough.&nbsp;

Q: In a vegetable/grocery shop, if people used the same basket, used by asymptomatic person earlier, will the infection pass to all or only up to 2 or 3 users subsequent to the first user. Should not super bazaars clean the baskets every now and then?&nbsp; 
A: The leading supermarkets have regular sanitisation processes in place which have been augmented to meet the current challenge. Since the virus remains on plastic for 8 hours and on aluminium for 2 to 3 hours, so trolleys with aluminium handlebars appear to be safer. The surface can't be considered clean unless disinfected each time between users. Hence the virus can be transmitted to all subsequent users until its cleaned. Supermarkets have come up with a solution. They are allowing small numbers inside. Each one is given sanitiser and gloves at entry. However, the best way to prevent an infection is to wear a mask and disposable gloves during any such visit. &nbsp;

Q: Does having tea in the morning prevent Coronavirus? &nbsp; 
A: Having green tea can boost immunity as it is full of antioxidants. Besides, adding tulsi leaves in normal tea as it is warm or chewing raw turmeric can also boost immunity. However, in the current scenario, they may not be enough and precautionary measures such as social distancing and home quarantine are absolutely necessary. &nbsp;

Q: How well is India prepared to tackle Covid -19 outbreak?&nbsp; 
A: There are challenges in the healthcare system and any sudden surge in the number of affected people will exert further pressure on it. The production of protective gears for healthcare workers has increased and drug parks are being prepared to reduce our dependence on other nations for basic ingredients to make medicines. At the same time, the supply of medicines has been exempted from the 21-day lockdown. With help from our people in the form of social distancing and isolation, we can successfully fight the pandemic. We hope to successfully fight. Reality is grim. For each case diagnosed many go unnoticed. The biggest challenge is with people living in cramped environments.&nbsp;

Q: Can theobromine and theophylline cure or prevent Coronavirus?&nbsp; 
A:  Some early reports suggest that these can prevent or cure Corona. Larger and longer use will determine the value of these agents. Meanwhile, no harm in sipping warm tea three times daily. Ensure measures to avoid acidity.&nbsp;

Q: Can you tell what precautions pregnant women should take to prevent Coronavirus infection.&nbsp; 
A: Universal precautions for Coronavirus remains applicable for pregnant women. In addition, they should isolate from people with flu at home. They should call up their treating obstetrician to know when they should visit. They must reduce visits to the hospital, do scan only when necessary, keep immunity boosted with Zinc and vitamins C. Go to a maternity hospital, avoiding regular multi-speciality hospital, visit in early hours, sit away from others in waiting area, wear a mask.&nbsp;

Q: What are the chances of re-infection for a person who recovered from Covid 19? Should they also keep social distancing? Or do they get immunity?&nbsp; 
A: Like any viral infection Coronavirus should give immunity against the current strain. However, immunocompromised people like the elderly, cancer patients, people with chronic diseases, steroids etc but they can show reinfection. More information is yet to come. Experience and learning is adding every day.&nbsp;

Q: For how long Covid-19 can stay active in the water?&nbsp; 
A: There is no evidence that Coronavirus can stay active in water but the containers can have it.&nbsp;

Q: I brought groceries from stores. Is this possible that it may carry Coronavirus?&nbsp; 
A: Coronavirus can stay active on various types of surfaces for various durations. It can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel. So, it is advisable to sanitize these items before entering your home. Apply a sanitizer with 70 per cent alcohol content on fabric and sanitize them. If these are non-essential covers, discard them before entering the home. &nbsp;

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the Doctor&nbsp;and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

WION has started #ASKWION campaign where we are pleased to answer all your Covid-19 related queries. Use #AskWion and send us your questions on Twitter tagging us.

WION has started #ASKWION campaign where we are pleased to answer all your Covid-19 related queries. Use #AskWion and send us your questions on Twitter tagging us. Here are answers to some of the important questions related to Coronavirus which can help you protect yourself from the pandemic. Q: Does Covid-19 spread through the air?  A: Coronavirus spreads through droplets which remain airborne for a duration of 8 hours or longer to enable transmission and drop on a surface due to gravitational force. Though there is one study which suggests that airborne transmission of the virus may stick to airborne droplets which probably drop up to 3 feet from the infected sneeze or cough. Q: In a vegetable/grocery shop, if people used the same basket, used by asymptomatic person earlier, will the infection pass to all or only up to 2 or 3 users subsequent to the first user. Should not super bazaars clean the baskets every now and then? A: The leading supermarkets have regular sanitisation processes in place which have been augmented to meet the current challenge. Since the virus remains on plastic for 8 hours and on aluminium for 2 to 3 hours, so trolleys with aluminium handlebars appear to be safer. The surface can't be considered clean unless disinfected each time between users. Hence the virus can be transmitted to all subsequent users until its cleaned. Supermarkets have come up with a solution. They are allowing small numbers inside. Each one is given sanitiser and gloves at entry. However, the best way to prevent an infection is to wear a mask and disposable gloves during any such visit.  Q: Does having tea in the morning prevent Coronavirus?  A: Having green tea can boost immunity as it is full of antioxidants. Besides, adding tulsi leaves in normal tea as it is warm or chewing raw turmeric can also boost immunity. However, in the current scenario, they may not be enough and precautionary measures such as social distancing and home quarantine are absolutely necessary.  Q: How well is India prepared to tackle Covid -19 outbreak? A: There are challenges in the healthcare system and any sudden surge in the number of affected people will exert further pressure on it. The production of protective gears for healthcare workers has increased and drug parks are being prepared to reduce our dependence on other nations for basic ingredients to make medicines. At the same time, the supply of medicines has been exempted from the 21-day lockdown. With help from our people in the form of social distancing and isolation, we can successfully fight the pandemic. We hope to successfully fight. Reality is grim. For each case diagnosed many go unnoticed. The biggest challenge is with people living in cramped environments. Q: Can theobromine and theophylline cure or prevent Coronavirus? A:  Some early reports suggest that these can prevent or cure Corona. Larger and longer use will determine the value of these agents. Meanwhile, no harm in sipping warm tea three times daily. Ensure measures to avoid acidity. Q: Can you tell what precautions pregnant women should take to prevent Coronavirus infection. A: Universal precautions for Coronavirus remains applicable for pregnant women. In addition, they should isolate from people with flu at home. They should call up their treating obstetrician to know when they should visit. They must reduce visits to the hospital, do scan only when necessary, keep immunity boosted with Zinc and vitamins C. Go to a maternity hospital, avoiding regular multi-speciality hospital, visit in early hours, sit away from others in waiting area, wear a mask. Q: What are the chances of re-infection for a person who recovered from Covid 19? Should they also keep social distancing? Or do they get immunity? A: Like any viral infection Coronavirus should give immunity against the current strain. However, immunocompromised people like the elderly, cancer patients, people with chronic diseases, steroids etc but they can show reinfection. More information is yet to come. Experience and learning is adding every day. Q: For how long Covid-19 can stay active in the water? A: There is no evidence that Coronavirus can stay active in water but the containers can have it. Q: I brought groceries from stores. Is this possible that it may carry Coronavirus? A: Coronavirus can stay active on various types of surfaces for various durations. It can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel. So, it is advisable to sanitize these items before entering your home. Apply a sanitizer with 70 per cent alcohol content on fabric and sanitize them. If these are non-essential covers, discard them before entering the home.  (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the Doctor and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

#ASKWION: What precautions should a pregnant woman take? and other coronavirus-related queries answered

Four countries are setting an example for the world in the fight against the Wuhan Coronavirus. WION's Palki Sharma tells you what they are doing right.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus, countries that are setting an example for the world

China's central Hubei province, where the deadly coronavirus first emerged late last year, is to lift travel curbs after two months under lockdown, local officials said Tuesday.

China's central Hubei province, where the deadly coronavirus first emerged late last year, is to lift travel curbs after two months under lockdown, local officials said Tuesday. Healthy residents will be allowed to leave the province from midnight Tuesday, while Wuhan, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, will lift restrictions from April 8. For the first time in weeks, the city appeared to slowly come back to life, with small groups of residents leaving their homes, walking the streets and shopping at grocery stores, the Guardian reported. Over the weekend, the first train arrived, allowing more than 1,000 workers to travel from elsewhere in Hubei province to Wuhan for work, according to the report. Authorities said Sunday that residents are all clear to return to work if they do not have a temperature and can provide a green health code, indicating their virus-free status, in addition to their employers’ signatures. Non-residents who were stranded in the city since stringent travel restrictions were enacted in late January can also begin applying to leave, according to the report.

China to lift travel restrictions on Hubei province, including Wuhan

China will be holding a video conference on the coronavirus outbreak. India will be joining the video conference and 10 other countries are expected to participate in the video conference.

China to hold video conference on coronavirus

What should you do, if someone in your colony tests positive for the Coronavirus? How can you protect yourself and your family? WION's Palki Sharma tells you the precautions you can take.

Gravitas: Wuhan coronavirus outbreak: What you need to do?

The Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak is bringing out the worst in people. Panic buying has triggered a massive shortage of supplies across the world. People are fighting over essentials in supermarkets. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Lockdowns trigger panic across the world, Wuhan coronavirus

India now has more than 150 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the top updates on the outbreak from India for Wednesday.

Gravitas: The top developments from India, Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak

As countries across the world battle the coronavirus pandemic, doctors, nurses and other health care workers are on the front line of the fight against the deadly virus. And they are being assisted by some cutting-edge tools and technology:

Robots to the Rescue

We've seen how robots are assisting doctors in hospitals, and even spraying disinfectant mist on the streets. Now, these machines were seen performing other tasks too. Designed in India, these robots are spreading awareness about Covid-19, the disease that has killed thousands of people worldwide.

Developed by Asimov Robotics, they can be seen distributing face masks and sanitisers, giving information about the contagion and cleaning doors at a startup complex in an Indian city of Kerala.

The startup is trying to put the robots into use at public places like airports and malls. They have sought permission from authorities to do this.

Elderly people are the most at risk of developing a serious infection from the coronavirus. For this reason, the Belgium government has banned visitors from elderly care homes.

But these video-calling robots are helping senior citizens keep in touch with their family and friends. Zorabots, a Belgian robotics software firm, is lending a fleet of such robots to makes lives a little easier for those that have been isolated.

The robots are fitted with a simplified interface so a care home worker can programme them to self-navigate to a resident's room and connect a video call through Facebook Messenger.

Makers plan to use these robots to help ease social isolation among the elderly. Each robot costs 2,500 euros, the company will initially lend 60 of them to the elderly care homes.

Tracking Your Phone

Israel is deploying cyber monitoring in the battle against the coronavirus. It will track the mobile phones of people suspected of coronavirus and retrace their movements. They will then locate and alert those who may have been in proximity with the infected people.

Israeli authorities say the data collected by the Shin Bet Internal Security Service would be used only to halt the spread of the disease, it will be deleted when the emergency is over.

The move, however, has been criticised by the opposition and a rights group as it has always been reserved for counter-terrorism purposes. They call the move 'a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope'. We say - it’s debatable.

Not just Israel, even the US government is thinking on a similar line. Facebook and Google are in talks with Washington over potentially using individuals' personal data to track and combat the coronavirus outbreak.

It would require authorities to track the location of smartphone users, the data will be anonymously used to map the spread of the disease, anticipate the next hotpot and predict urgent medical needs.

The use of personal data in the US is highly sensitive after several scandals, such as in 2011 when the national security agency was found to be collecting phone records without permission. But the pressure has been mounting on Silicon Valley to use their expertise to fight the deadly virus.

Aerial Surveillance

Spanish police are using drones to prevent the virus from spreading, designed with powerful loudspeakers, they are flying and asking people walking in the streets to return to their homes. Spain is now in a state of alert, with people banned from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food.

China is using drones to patrol areas and keep a tab on crowds more efficiently. It’s helping authorities to identify those who are roaming without masks, drones are also spraying disinfectant in public spaces.

Japan is using drones to deliver medical supplies without exposing humans to potential infection. Let's hope these measures help in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As countries across the world battle the coronavirus pandemic, doctors, nurses and other health care workers are on the front line of the fight against the deadly virus.

As countries across the world battle the coronavirus pandemic, doctors, nurses and other health care workers are on the front line of the fight against the deadly virus. And they are being assisted by some cutting-edge tools and technology: Robots to the Rescue We've seen how robots are assisting doctors in hospitals, and even spraying disinfectant mist on the streets. Now, these machines were seen performing other tasks too. Designed in India, these robots are spreading awareness about Covid-19, the disease that has killed thousands of people worldwide. Developed by Asimov Robotics, they can be seen distributing face masks and sanitisers, giving information about the contagion and cleaning doors at a startup complex in an Indian city of Kerala. The startup is trying to put the robots into use at public places like airports and malls. They have sought permission from authorities to do this. Elderly people are the most at risk of developing a serious infection from the coronavirus. For this reason, the Belgium government has banned visitors from elderly care homes. But these video-calling robots are helping senior citizens keep in touch with their family and friends. Zorabots, a Belgian robotics software firm, is lending a fleet of such robots to makes lives a little easier for those that have been isolated. The robots are fitted with a simplified interface so a care home worker can programme them to self-navigate to a resident's room and connect a video call through Facebook Messenger. Makers plan to use these robots to help ease social isolation among the elderly. Each robot costs 2,500 euros, the company will initially lend 60 of them to the elderly care homes. Tracking Your Phone Israel is deploying cyber monitoring in the battle against the coronavirus. It will track the mobile phones of people suspected of coronavirus and retrace their movements. They will then locate and alert those who may have been in proximity with the infected people. Israeli authorities say the data collected by the Shin Bet Internal Security Service would be used only to halt the spread of the disease, it will be deleted when the emergency is over. The move, however, has been criticised by the opposition and a rights group as it has always been reserved for counter-terrorism purposes. They call the move 'a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope'. We say - it’s debatable. Not just Israel, even the US government is thinking on a similar line. Facebook and Google are in talks with Washington over potentially using individuals' personal data to track and combat the coronavirus outbreak. It would require authorities to track the location of smartphone users, the data will be anonymously used to map the spread of the disease, anticipate the next hotpot and predict urgent medical needs. The use of personal data in the US is highly sensitive after several scandals, such as in 2011 when the national security agency was found to be collecting phone records without permission. But the pressure has been mounting on Silicon Valley to use their expertise to fight the deadly virus. Aerial Surveillance Spanish police are using drones to prevent the virus from spreading, designed with powerful loudspeakers, they are flying and asking people walking in the streets to return to their homes. Spain is now in a state of alert, with people banned from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food. China is using drones to patrol areas and keep a tab on crowds more efficiently. It’s helping authorities to identify those who are roaming without masks, drones are also spraying disinfectant in public spaces. Japan is using drones to deliver medical supplies without exposing humans to potential infection. Let's hope these measures help in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.

Explained: How technology is helping nations combat Coronavirus outbreak

Gravitas: Lockdowns trigger panic across the world | Wuhan coronavirus

India is making tangible contributions to the global fight against the coronavirus. But, Islamabad is prioritizing Beijing's agenda, as Pakistani citizens struggle to fight the outbreak. WION's Palki Sharma tells you the tale of two diplomatic moves on WION Edit.

WION EDIT: Wuhan Coronavirus: India and Pakistan are miles apart in their response

Sports and leisure activities meant for special children are hardly imaginable, as they remain dependent on their wheelchairs or simply because there aren’t any activities that are designed specifically for them.&nbsp;

But nearly 250 special children had the opportunity to soar to the skies and have an unparalleled experience of parasailing, that offered them breathtaking views of the Besant Nagar beach in the Chennai.&nbsp;

The special parasailing event was conducted for five days as a part of the 35th-anniversary celebrations of Vidya Sagar, a rights-based organization, with emphasis on creating awareness in the community on issues related to disability and advocating rights for persons with disabilities. They support and train special children who are rejected by other schools, such as those with motor disability, visual, speech or intellectual impairment, autism and other learning difficulties.&nbsp;

“My kids too are special-needs kids and they experienced such adventure sports during their childhood and it made a huge difference, so we believe that why not most special children get to experience this? Even if the kids want to experience it, who gives them the chance? Even a small improvement in their self-esteem is a positive change” said Radha Ramesh, the director of Vidya Sagar.

A parachute equipped with a special harness that could accommodate 2 people- a special-needs child and a faculty member/trainer was attached to a jeep that would be driven for a few meters on the beach sand, thus helping the strong breeze to inflate and elevate the parachute. For nearly 5 minutes the child and the faculty would be suspended mid-air to enjoy the breathtaking views.&nbsp;

“For our needs, we are using a better harness, more safety measures are in place and around 15-20 staff are present for ensuring it happens with utmost care. We've also got the requisite permission from the authorities. Sports is always important for children, our kids dream of having a wheelchair-friendly path until the beach. All over the world beaches are accessible and Wheelchairs can go till the water, but unfortunately, that’s not the case in India. So we thought that parasailing can be made a reality for our kids and they can see and enjoy how the world looks like from a height” Poonam Natrajan, the founder of Vidya Sagar told WION.&nbsp;

Vidya Sagar provides delivery of services, focus on early intervention, special education, physiotherapy, speech and communication therapy, vision training, occupational therapy, co-curricular activities, counselling, vocational training, exploring and creating employment opportunities and training of resource persons to work in the field of disability.

Meena, a parent who has been associated with Vidya Sagar says that she is happy that the school will send kids on such adventure sports, only if it's very safe. It was done with the consent of parents and students, we’ve been shown then trials and also there were classes for a safety briefing.&nbsp;

“The kids enjoy when they are joined by their friends and it empowers them and celebrates inclusion”, she told WION.&nbsp;

Sports and leisure activities meant for special children are hardly imaginable, as they remain dependent on their wheelchairs or simply because there aren’t any activities that are designed specifically for them.

Sports and leisure activities meant for special children are hardly imaginable, as they remain dependent on their wheelchairs or simply because there aren’t any activities that are designed specifically for them. But nearly 250 special children had the opportunity to soar to the skies and have an unparalleled experience of parasailing, that offered them breathtaking views of the Besant Nagar beach in the Chennai. The special parasailing event was conducted for five days as a part of the 35th-anniversary celebrations of Vidya Sagar, a rights-based organization, with emphasis on creating awareness in the community on issues related to disability and advocating rights for persons with disabilities. They support and train special children who are rejected by other schools, such as those with motor disability, visual, speech or intellectual impairment, autism and other learning difficulties. “My kids too are special-needs kids and they experienced such adventure sports during their childhood and it made a huge difference, so we believe that why not most special children get to experience this? Even if the kids want to experience it, who gives them the chance? Even a small improvement in their self-esteem is a positive change” said Radha Ramesh, the director of Vidya Sagar. A parachute equipped with a special harness that could accommodate 2 people- a special-needs child and a faculty member/trainer was attached to a jeep that would be driven for a few meters on the beach sand, thus helping the strong breeze to inflate and elevate the parachute. For nearly 5 minutes the child and the faculty would be suspended mid-air to enjoy the breathtaking views. “For our needs, we are using a better harness, more safety measures are in place and around 15-20 staff are present for ensuring it happens with utmost care. We've also got the requisite permission from the authorities. Sports is always important for children, our kids dream of having a wheelchair-friendly path until the beach. All over the world beaches are accessible and Wheelchairs can go till the water, but unfortunately, that’s not the case in India. So we thought that parasailing can be made a reality for our kids and they can see and enjoy how the world looks like from a height” Poonam Natrajan, the founder of Vidya Sagar told WION. Vidya Sagar provides delivery of services, focus on early intervention, special education, physiotherapy, speech and communication therapy, vision training, occupational therapy, co-curricular activities, counselling, vocational training, exploring and creating employment opportunities and training of resource persons to work in the field of disability. Meena, a parent who has been associated with Vidya Sagar says that she is happy that the school will send kids on such adventure sports, only if it's very safe. It was done with the consent of parents and students, we’ve been shown then trials and also there were classes for a safety briefing. “The kids enjoy when they are joined by their friends and it empowers them and celebrates inclusion”, she told WION.

A sky-high experience for special children in Chennai

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/coronavirus-pandemic-how-can-you-protect-yourself-all-important-questions-answered-287019">coronavirus pandemic </a>is fundamentally changing our societies - people are working from home, the streets are virtually empty,&nbsp;public spaces have been shut and experts are advising against social interactions.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has laid great emphasis on testing, they advice testing every suspected case. Enhanced testing has been the backbone of every successful coronavirus response.

In India, more than 50 labs are functional, but the number is a drop in the ocean for India. So what should the government do? Desperate times call for desperate measures.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/little-affected-most-perturbed-india-ably-tackles-coronavirus-outbreak-286375">Also Read: India ably tackles coronavirus outbreak</a>

Take the case of Spain, only a fraction of India's size and population, the government has decided to take over private healthcare services.

The entire Spanish healthcare system has been nationalised to deal with the crisis. All private health providers and their facilities are now under government control.

The government can now even order a requisition of face masks and Covid-19 tests. Other countries are mulling different forms of nationalisation.

France might take over big companies if it's necessary. Germany too is thinking about supporting pharmaceutical companies.

In America, there is a call to take over critical private-sector health companies. The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has asked the American government to take control of key firms.

South Korea scaled up its testing by involving the private sector. The MERS outbreak in 2015 had killed 38 in South Korea. At that time, South Korea enacted a key reform.

It allowed the government an almost instantaneous approval to gain access to testing systems. For the coronavirus outbreak, 90 per cent of the testing has been done by the private sector in South Korea.

India could adopt a similar strategy to ramp-up its fight against the Wuhan virus. Services of the private sector could be requisitioned. Already, accredited private labs have been allowed to test for Covid-19.

There is a tight watch on supplies. Earlier this month, India had blocked the export of some essential drugs. A move to ensure adequate supply during the coronavirus outbreak.

Countries around the world are making a case for nationalisation. Indian government might as well consider some form of regulation for the health sector. It seems to be the only way to deal with shortages.

India must dramatically scale up its efforts to contain the coronavirus. And it's time for the private players to do their bit. We must learn from Air India. The dying national carrier and its staff, evacuating Indians stranded in all parts of the world. 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic is fundamentally changing our societies - people are working from home, the streets are virtually empty, public spaces have been shut and experts are advising against social interactions.

The coronavirus pandemic is fundamentally changing our societies - people are working from home, the streets are virtually empty, public spaces have been shut and experts are advising against social interactions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has laid great emphasis on testing, they advice testing every suspected case. Enhanced testing has been the backbone of every successful coronavirus response. In India, more than 50 labs are functional, but the number is a drop in the ocean for India. So what should the government do? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Also Read: India ably tackles coronavirus outbreak Take the case of Spain, only a fraction of India's size and population, the government has decided to take over private healthcare services. The entire Spanish healthcare system has been nationalised to deal with the crisis. All private health providers and their facilities are now under government control. The government can now even order a requisition of face masks and Covid-19 tests. Other countries are mulling different forms of nationalisation. France might take over big companies if it's necessary. Germany too is thinking about supporting pharmaceutical companies. In America, there is a call to take over critical private-sector health companies. The Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has asked the American government to take control of key firms. South Korea scaled up its testing by involving the private sector. The MERS outbreak in 2015 had killed 38 in South Korea. At that time, South Korea enacted a key reform. It allowed the government an almost instantaneous approval to gain access to testing systems. For the coronavirus outbreak, 90 per cent of the testing has been done by the private sector in South Korea. India could adopt a similar strategy to ramp-up its fight against the Wuhan virus. Services of the private sector could be requisitioned. Already, accredited private labs have been allowed to test for Covid-19. There is a tight watch on supplies. Earlier this month, India had blocked the export of some essential drugs. A move to ensure adequate supply during the coronavirus outbreak. Countries around the world are making a case for nationalisation. Indian government might as well consider some form of regulation for the health sector. It seems to be the only way to deal with shortages. India must dramatically scale up its efforts to contain the coronavirus. And it's time for the private players to do their bit. We must learn from Air India. The dying national carrier and its staff, evacuating Indians stranded in all parts of the world. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Coronavirus outbreak - why the private sector needs to contribute

Humanity is in a race against time to find a cure for the coronavirus, the virus has killed over 7,300 people and has infected more than 185,000 globally.

Humanity in a race against time for a cure

What do you do when everything you touch, smell and probably eat has the potential to capture your internal ecosystem and make you fall ill. A story which looked exotic and confined to the Eastern corner of the world has come home to roost. It cannot be seen yet. There are no huge camps or extensive lockdown, but its presence can still be felt deeply. It is like lingering anxiety which refuses to let go of you. It just stays with you.

The presence of it can be felt in empty streets and stuff running off the counters at superstores and medical shops. The virus can be felt in reduced opportunities to travel. Nations are in a lockdown mode and states in India have passed circulars saying that tourists will not be allowed. Even ASI-managed sites have been locked including wildlife sanctuaries.

The reduced movement of people can be felt in the streets where roads suddenly look bigger and silent. It is an eerie feeling reminding me of all the end of the world films I consumed with great relish at home. The shops have a few people. Eateries look well behaved and people on roads are sober and silent.

Then there are those who are unaffected by the calamity. Children are having the best of their times&nbsp;in residential societies. The fact is that I see more children than adults, completely untouched by the horror the world is undergoing. They are the ones who make the day look better and brighter. Even the sky looks cleaner, but with a cost which is unbearable and unwanted.

Office is another deal altogether. As a journalist, I feel that over-consumption of information induce its own form of work panic where journalists feed on each other’s anxiety.&nbsp;

Despite measures in place, everyone knows that it cannot be sufficient as quantification of people who can be infected is impossible to guess. India unlike other nations too has not gone for wide-ranging community testing. Nonetheless, exceptions remain. Mass outings continue to be organised through the country as if the crowd out there gives a damn&nbsp;to the coronavirus.

As the world comes increasingly close to natural habitats of animals, the more outbreaks are expected to happen. AIDS, H5N1, Ebola, Coronavirus and many other major outbreaks are of zoonotic origin. Even now, the government has not taken the initiative&nbsp;to sensitise people about the larger issue as talks remain obviously focused on prevention, isolation and detection of the disease.

The onset of the outbreak has also induced changes in the behaviour of people around. People now do not appreciate the idea of touch for obvious reasons. The conversation around an impending shortage dominates household conversation and medicines are being kept aside in case the supply chain breaks down.

The virus will also challenge and test the moral strength of the society. Great tragedies have seen people either rising to meet the challenge or falling aside as mere spectators. The outbreak can only be prevented by collaboration at the community level. People will need to share resources, sacrifice a little of what they possess and even face difficulty in the case of&nbsp;complete isolation. India has not come to the stage that of China or Italy but if it does, it will definitely test us at the level of individual, community and the state. It will test the moral stamina of the nation once again.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

What do you do when everything you touch, smell and probably eat has the potential to capture your internal ecosystem and make you fall ill. A story which looked exotic and confined to the Eastern corner of the world has come home to roost.

What do you do when everything you touch, smell and probably eat has the potential to capture your internal ecosystem and make you fall ill. A story which looked exotic and confined to the Eastern corner of the world has come home to roost. It cannot be seen yet. There are no huge camps or extensive lockdown, but its presence can still be felt deeply. It is like lingering anxiety which refuses to let go of you. It just stays with you. The presence of it can be felt in empty streets and stuff running off the counters at superstores and medical shops. The virus can be felt in reduced opportunities to travel. Nations are in a lockdown mode and states in India have passed circulars saying that tourists will not be allowed. Even ASI-managed sites have been locked including wildlife sanctuaries. The reduced movement of people can be felt in the streets where roads suddenly look bigger and silent. It is an eerie feeling reminding me of all the end of the world films I consumed with great relish at home. The shops have a few people. Eateries look well behaved and people on roads are sober and silent. Then there are those who are unaffected by the calamity. Children are having the best of their times in residential societies. The fact is that I see more children than adults, completely untouched by the horror the world is undergoing. They are the ones who make the day look better and brighter. Even the sky looks cleaner, but with a cost which is unbearable and unwanted. Office is another deal altogether. As a journalist, I feel that over-consumption of information induce its own form of work panic where journalists feed on each other’s anxiety. Despite measures in place, everyone knows that it cannot be sufficient as quantification of people who can be infected is impossible to guess. India unlike other nations too has not gone for wide-ranging community testing. Nonetheless, exceptions remain. Mass outings continue to be organised through the country as if the crowd out there gives a damn to the coronavirus. As the world comes increasingly close to natural habitats of animals, the more outbreaks are expected to happen. AIDS, H5N1, Ebola, Coronavirus and many other major outbreaks are of zoonotic origin. Even now, the government has not taken the initiative to sensitise people about the larger issue as talks remain obviously focused on prevention, isolation and detection of the disease. The onset of the outbreak has also induced changes in the behaviour of people around. People now do not appreciate the idea of touch for obvious reasons. The conversation around an impending shortage dominates household conversation and medicines are being kept aside in case the supply chain breaks down. The virus will also challenge and test the moral strength of the society. Great tragedies have seen people either rising to meet the challenge or falling aside as mere spectators. The outbreak can only be prevented by collaboration at the community level. People will need to share resources, sacrifice a little of what they possess and even face difficulty in the case of complete isolation. India has not come to the stage that of China or Italy but if it does, it will definitely test us at the level of individual, community and the state. It will test the moral stamina of the nation once again. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Coronavirus outbreak will test moral strength of the Indian society

The Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak has triggered panic buying. People around the world are stocking up on essential supplies. But, panic buying could create more trouble.

Global Pandemic: Stores run out of supplies in India

World Health Organization is concerned that countries are not running adequate coronavirus tests in every suspected case.

WHO asks governments to run more tests

Coronavirus has imposed a worldwide curfew, the most popular sites lie deserted. There are more than 1,80,000 confirmed cases and over 7000 have died.

More than 150 countries are fighting the outbreak. Major cities are under lockdown and millions are confined to their homes.

Economic activity is grinding to a halt. The only factory that's running overtime is the one that produces Chinese propaganda.

They're sparing no effort to deflect blame for the outbreak. China wants the world to believe that the coronavirus did not originate there.

Chinese diplomats are aggressively pushing conspiracy theories to spread that coronavirus originated in the United States of America (USA). They claim there's evidence that the virus was not made in China. And they are doing so mainly to shrug off scrutiny.

Now, US President Donald Trump has called Coronavirus the 'Chinese virus'. Never one to take it lying low, China is responding in kind. A statement from Beijing says that they are very angry with what they call America's smear campaign. &nbsp;

"Recently some US politicians have linked the novel coronavirus to China. This is a smear of China. We are very angry and strongly oppose it. We urge the US side to correct their mistakes and stop the groundless accusation of China immediately," said&nbsp;Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang.

This is rich coming from China, which has been blaming the US army for the Wuhan virus.

China claims it fought the virus well and gave the rest of the world the time to prepare. It justifies its ruthless crackdown on patients and whistleblowers and calls the western response to the outbreak - chaotic. &nbsp;

However, the truth is China tried to hide the outbreak. There is no doubt that the Chinese people were the worst sufferers of this outbreak, but the Chinese state deserves no sympathy, let alone praise.

China's new narrative on the coronavirus is designed for both the domestic and the international audience. It makes the communist party look strong at home. Ideally, China should help smaller countries, ramp-up efforts to contain the disease&nbsp;

A good place to begin will be an admission, that the virus originated in China and timely action could have averted this global crisis. &nbsp;

Coronavirus has imposed a worldwide curfew, the most popular sites lie deserted. There are more than 1,80,000 confirmed cases and over 7000 have died. More than 150 countries are fighting the outbreak.

Coronavirus has imposed a worldwide curfew, the most popular sites lie deserted. There are more than 1,80,000 confirmed cases and over 7000 have died. More than 150 countries are fighting the outbreak. Major cities are under lockdown and millions are confined to their homes. Economic activity is grinding to a halt. The only factory that's running overtime is the one that produces Chinese propaganda. They're sparing no effort to deflect blame for the outbreak. China wants the world to believe that the coronavirus did not originate there. Chinese diplomats are aggressively pushing conspiracy theories to spread that coronavirus originated in the United States of America (USA). They claim there's evidence that the virus was not made in China. And they are doing so mainly to shrug off scrutiny. Now, US President Donald Trump has called Coronavirus the 'Chinese virus'. Never one to take it lying low, China is responding in kind. A statement from Beijing says that they are very angry with what they call America's smear campaign. "Recently some US politicians have linked the novel coronavirus to China. This is a smear of China. We are very angry and strongly oppose it. We urge the US side to correct their mistakes and stop the groundless accusation of China immediately," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang. This is rich coming from China, which has been blaming the US army for the Wuhan virus. China claims it fought the virus well and gave the rest of the world the time to prepare. It justifies its ruthless crackdown on patients and whistleblowers and calls the western response to the outbreak - chaotic. However, the truth is China tried to hide the outbreak. There is no doubt that the Chinese people were the worst sufferers of this outbreak, but the Chinese state deserves no sympathy, let alone praise. China's new narrative on the coronavirus is designed for both the domestic and the international audience. It makes the communist party look strong at home. Ideally, China should help smaller countries, ramp-up efforts to contain the disease A good place to begin will be an admission, that the virus originated in China and timely action could have averted this global crisis.

Why China is blaming the US for coronavirus outbreak

US government moved to clamp down movement of citizens while announcing curfews in New Jersey state and San Francisco due to the rapid spread of coronavirus in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/precaution-not-panic-here-are-narratives-of-people-who-have-successfully-recovered-from-covid-19-286789">Also Read:&nbsp;Precaution, not panic: Here are narratives of people who have successfully recovered from Covid-19</a>

As the shutdown continued and major airlines hit, President Trump indicated that the US "maybe" heading towards a recession.

Across the country, bars, cinemas, restaurants, schools remained shut.&nbsp;The United States reported 3,536 cases of the coronavirus with 68 deaths on Monday as &nbsp;Canada closed its borders to all foreign nationals except US citizens and permanent residents.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/foreigners-flight-ban-leaves-british-teacher-in-poland-separated-from-family-286807/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"So it seems to me that if we do a really good job... people are talking about July, August, something like that," Trump said, adding,"So it could be right in that period of time where it, I say, it washes through."

Amid the crisis, Wall Street stocks crashed suffering the biggest drop since the crash of 1987 on Monday.

The S&amp;P 500 crashed 12 per cent, closing at its lowest level since December 2018. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2,997.1 points, or 12.93 per cent, to 20,188.52.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-dormant-carriers-of-covid-19-the-primary-cause-of-spike-in-global-infections-286827">Also Read:&nbsp;Are dormant carriers of COVID-19 the primary cause of spike in global infections?</a>

The S&amp;P 500 lost 324.89 points, or 11.98 per cent, to 2,386.13.&nbsp;

The Nasdaq Composite dropped 970.28 points, or 12.32 per cent, to 6,904.59 as the carnage continued in the US stock markets for the second consecutive week.

Amid the growing threat, President Donald Trump's administration urged the Senate to pass the coronavirus aid plan and an economic stimulus package in order to thwart a possible recession.

US government moved to clamp down movement of citizens while announcing curfews in New Jersey state and San Francisco due to the rapid spread of coronavirus in the country.

US government moved to clamp down movement of citizens while announcing curfews in New Jersey state and San Francisco due to the rapid spread of coronavirus in the country. Also Read: Precaution, not panic: Here are narratives of people who have successfully recovered from Covid-19 As the shutdown continued and major airlines hit, President Trump indicated that the US "maybe" heading towards a recession. Across the country, bars, cinemas, restaurants, schools remained shut. The United States reported 3,536 cases of the coronavirus with 68 deaths on Monday as Canada closed its borders to all foreign nationals except US citizens and permanent residents. Watch Video: "So it seems to me that if we do a really good job... people are talking about July, August, something like that," Trump said, adding,"So it could be right in that period of time where it, I say, it washes through." Amid the crisis, Wall Street stocks crashed suffering the biggest drop since the crash of 1987 on Monday. The S&P 500 crashed 12 per cent, closing at its lowest level since December 2018. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2,997.1 points, or 12.93 per cent, to 20,188.52. Also Read: Are dormant carriers of COVID-19 the primary cause of spike in global infections? The S&P 500 lost 324.89 points, or 11.98 per cent, to 2,386.13. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 970.28 points, or 12.32 per cent, to 6,904.59 as the carnage continued in the US stock markets for the second consecutive week. Amid the growing threat, President Donald Trump's administration urged the Senate to pass the coronavirus aid plan and an economic stimulus package in order to thwart a possible recession.

Curfew in New Jersey, San Francisco as US battles coronavirus

China reported on Tuesday just one new domestic coronavirus infection but found 20 more cases imported from abroad, with more regions imposing quarantines on foreign arrivals in a bid to stem the disease being brought in from overseas.

The single case in Wuhan will boost China's view that it has "basically curbed" the spread of a disease that is believed to have emerged in a live animal market in the central city in December.

Wuhan and its 11 million people were placed under strict quarantine on January 23, with the rest of Hubei province going under lockdown in the following days.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-launches-criminal-probe-into-a-coronavirus-patient-who-flew-from-us-while-showing-symptoms-286969">China launches criminal probe into a coronavirus patient who flew from US while showing symptoms</a>

Authorities tightened restrictions in the city even further on February 11, confining people to their homes as health workers faced a daily deluge of well over 1,000 cases a move officials say was critical in containing the virus.

Other cities across the country enacted further measures to compel most people to stay indoors, and no new domestic infections have been detected outside Hubei for many days in a row.

But the country is now concerned about an influx of cases from abroad, with an average of 20,000 people flying into China every day.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-amid-coronavirus-crisis-us-china-fight-the-patent-war-for-vaccine-286905"> WION Edit: Amid coronavirus crisis, US-China fight the patent war for vaccine</a>

Beijing started on Monday to require almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels.

People who live alone, minors, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions are allowed to confine themselves at home.

Shanghai extended its mandatory quarantine to travellers from 16 countries on Tuesday including the US, Australia and several European nations but said travellers may quarantine either at home or at a designated location.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-more-coronavirus-cases-from-abroad-amid-strict-quarantine-measures-286578">China reports more coronavirus cases from abroad amid strict quarantine measures</a>

Nine of the 20 new imported cases were in Beijing and three in Shanghai, raising the total number of confirmed infections from abroad to 143, according to the National Health Commission.

As well as Shanghai and Beijing, another seven provinces or municipalities announced that they would make international arrivals carry out a mandatory quarantine either at home or in central facilities.

China also reported 13 deaths Tuesday, raising its toll to 3,226.

Watch: Coronavirus pandemic over in China?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-pandemic-over-in-china-286904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The country has recorded 80,881 total cases, but fewer than 9,000 people remain infected.

The country's progress stands in stark contrast with the growing crisis in other countries, with the World Health Organization saying there were now more deaths and cases outside China.

The number of deaths worldwide has passed 7,000, with more than 181,500 cases in 145 countries.

China reported on Tuesday just one new domestic coronavirus infection but found 20 more cases imported from abroad, with more regions imposing quarantines on foreign arrivals in a bid to stem the disease being brought in from overseas.

China reported on Tuesday just one new domestic coronavirus infection but found 20 more cases imported from abroad, with more regions imposing quarantines on foreign arrivals in a bid to stem the disease being brought in from overseas. The single case in Wuhan will boost China's view that it has "basically curbed" the spread of a disease that is believed to have emerged in a live animal market in the central city in December. Wuhan and its 11 million people were placed under strict quarantine on January 23, with the rest of Hubei province going under lockdown in the following days. Also read: China launches criminal probe into a coronavirus patient who flew from US while showing symptoms Authorities tightened restrictions in the city even further on February 11, confining people to their homes as health workers faced a daily deluge of well over 1,000 cases a move officials say was critical in containing the virus. Other cities across the country enacted further measures to compel most people to stay indoors, and no new domestic infections have been detected outside Hubei for many days in a row. But the country is now concerned about an influx of cases from abroad, with an average of 20,000 people flying into China every day. Also see: WION Edit: Amid coronavirus crisis, US-China fight the patent war for vaccine Beijing started on Monday to require almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels. People who live alone, minors, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions are allowed to confine themselves at home. Shanghai extended its mandatory quarantine to travellers from 16 countries on Tuesday including the US, Australia and several European nations but said travellers may quarantine either at home or at a designated location. Also read: China reports more coronavirus cases from abroad amid strict quarantine measures Nine of the 20 new imported cases were in Beijing and three in Shanghai, raising the total number of confirmed infections from abroad to 143, according to the National Health Commission. As well as Shanghai and Beijing, another seven provinces or municipalities announced that they would make international arrivals carry out a mandatory quarantine either at home or in central facilities. China also reported 13 deaths Tuesday, raising its toll to 3,226. Watch: Coronavirus pandemic over in China? The country has recorded 80,881 total cases, but fewer than 9,000 people remain infected. The country's progress stands in stark contrast with the growing crisis in other countries, with the World Health Organization saying there were now more deaths and cases outside China. The number of deaths worldwide has passed 7,000, with more than 181,500 cases in 145 countries.

China reports just one new domestic virus case, 20 more imported

Coronavirus has spread across the globe like wildfire and dozens of new cases are being recorded every day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-125-in-india-286872">Also Read:&nbsp;Confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 125 in India</a>

By now, everyone knows that the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, which is why frequent and thorough handwashing is recommended as the best protection against infection.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/64-year-old-dies-in-mumbai-third-death-due-to-coronavirus-in-india-286873">Also read: 64-year-old dies in Mumbai, third death due to coronavirus in India</a> 
 
If you do not have access to soap and running water, then hand sanitisers are the next best option. The centers for disease control and prevention, a leading national public health institute of the United States, is also recommending that you clean and disinfect 'frequently touched surfaces' daily - this would include electronic devices that you use every day - such as your phone and computer/laptop keyboard.

Experts don’t yet know how long the virus that causes Covid-19 can survive on surfaces, but most other viruses are able to live on metal, glass, or plastic surfaces for up to nine days, and therefore, it's best to sanitise these gadgets.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-pandemic-stores-run-out-of-supplies-in-india-286866/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Research shows that both smartphones and keyboards are way dirtier than toilet seats. And here is how you can follow these basic instructions for disinfecting your gear without damaging it:

How to sanitise your phone/tablet:

1. Clean your phone or tablet at least once a day. While there is no need to go overboard, do try and wipe them down once in 24 hours.&nbsp;

2. Unplug your device and then use anti-bacterial wipes to clean it.

3. You can also use a soft cloth with a product that has 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol, but make sure the cloth is lint-free, otherwise, it will leave fluff behind.

4. Avoid any material that could be abrasive, like rough towels or paper towels, as these may damage the sensitive screen.

5. Never spray any cleaner or disinfectant directly onto the phone. Instead, spray it on the cloth and then use the cloth on the device.

6. Remember to keep liquids away from the product. Make sure that no liquid gets inside your phone through any openings, this can ruin your phone and most insurance does not cover liquid damage.

7. Also note that it’s not just the screen, other parts of the phone such as the power button, and the home button, can be as dirty as a toilet seat, so clean them too.

8. If your phone comes with waterproofing and has IP68 rating, you can keep it in a bowl of water for a brief period and later, dab it using a cloth. But check the specifications very carefully before you attempt this.

9. Don't use compressed air to clean it, the powered jet of air might interfere with the engineering of your phone.&nbsp;

10. Don’t forget your phone case - clean it and let it dry before slipping your phone back inside.&nbsp;

Well, that’s about sanitising the smartphone, now let's look at how we can keep our keyboards clean:

1. &nbsp;Start with holding the keyboard upside down and then shake it - this will help clear off crumbs and other debri stuck inside.

2. You can also use a keyboard cleaning gel which soaks all the dirt, dust and germs

3. A can of compressed air can also come in handy while cleaning your keyboard. It’s pretty useful to clean things where space is tight.

4. You can also use a microfibre cloth and dip it in the isopropyl alcohol. Use it gently to wipe the keys.

Unless your phone and keyboard are exposed to a potentially-infected person, you don’t need to worry about cleaning them multiple times a day - just do this once a day to keep them germ-free.

Apart from following these cleaning measures, don't pass your phone around, and use devices like headphones and Bluetooth to keep your phone away from your face. These basic protective measures can help us safeguard our health.

Coronavirus has spread across the globe like wildfire and dozens of new cases are being recorded every day. Also Read: Confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 125 in India By now, everyone knows that the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, which is why frequent and thorough handwashing is recommended as the best protection against infection.

Coronavirus has spread across the globe like wildfire and dozens of new cases are being recorded every day. Also Read: Confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 125 in India By now, everyone knows that the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, which is why frequent and thorough handwashing is recommended as the best protection against infection. Also read: 64-year-old dies in Mumbai, third death due to coronavirus in India If you do not have access to soap and running water, then hand sanitisers are the next best option. The centers for disease control and prevention, a leading national public health institute of the United States, is also recommending that you clean and disinfect 'frequently touched surfaces' daily - this would include electronic devices that you use every day - such as your phone and computer/laptop keyboard. Experts don’t yet know how long the virus that causes Covid-19 can survive on surfaces, but most other viruses are able to live on metal, glass, or plastic surfaces for up to nine days, and therefore, it's best to sanitise these gadgets. Watch Video: Research shows that both smartphones and keyboards are way dirtier than toilet seats. And here is how you can follow these basic instructions for disinfecting your gear without damaging it: How to sanitise your phone/tablet: 1. Clean your phone or tablet at least once a day. While there is no need to go overboard, do try and wipe them down once in 24 hours. 2. Unplug your device and then use anti-bacterial wipes to clean it. 3. You can also use a soft cloth with a product that has 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol, but make sure the cloth is lint-free, otherwise, it will leave fluff behind. 4. Avoid any material that could be abrasive, like rough towels or paper towels, as these may damage the sensitive screen. 5. Never spray any cleaner or disinfectant directly onto the phone. Instead, spray it on the cloth and then use the cloth on the device. 6. Remember to keep liquids away from the product. Make sure that no liquid gets inside your phone through any openings, this can ruin your phone and most insurance does not cover liquid damage. 7. Also note that it’s not just the screen, other parts of the phone such as the power button, and the home button, can be as dirty as a toilet seat, so clean them too. 8. If your phone comes with waterproofing and has IP68 rating, you can keep it in a bowl of water for a brief period and later, dab it using a cloth. But check the specifications very carefully before you attempt this. 9. Don't use compressed air to clean it, the powered jet of air might interfere with the engineering of your phone. 10. Don’t forget your phone case - clean it and let it dry before slipping your phone back inside. Well, that’s about sanitising the smartphone, now let's look at how we can keep our keyboards clean: 1. Start with holding the keyboard upside down and then shake it - this will help clear off crumbs and other debri stuck inside. 2. You can also use a keyboard cleaning gel which soaks all the dirt, dust and germs 3. A can of compressed air can also come in handy while cleaning your keyboard. It’s pretty useful to clean things where space is tight. 4. You can also use a microfibre cloth and dip it in the isopropyl alcohol. Use it gently to wipe the keys. Unless your phone and keyboard are exposed to a potentially-infected person, you don’t need to worry about cleaning them multiple times a day - just do this once a day to keep them germ-free. Apart from following these cleaning measures, don't pass your phone around, and use devices like headphones and Bluetooth to keep your phone away from your face. These basic protective measures can help us safeguard our health.

Coronavirus outbreak: How to keep your gadgets clean and sanitised

A vaccine row has erupted between the United States and Germany. Berlin has hit back at Donald Trump over allegations that the US President had tried to purchase exclusive rights of possible coronavirus vaccine.

Coronavirus: German firm is developing a possible vaccine

Pakistan's attempt to politicise a humanitarian issue by its "unwarranted" statement on Kashmir during the SAARC nations video conference on coronavirus reflected "very poorly" on it, government sources said on Sunday.

Pakistan tried to politicise COVID-19 by raising Kashmir at SAARC event

All leaders in the 8-nation regional grouping (SAARC) welcomed PM Modi’s suggestion and agreed to join the conference, except Pakistan PM Imran Khan, who has deputed his special advisor on health to participate in.

Coronavirus Pandemic: SAARC Nations come together to fight virus

The number of coronavirus infection in South Asia continues to rise. India has confirmed at least 110 COVID-19 cases.

South Asia: Coronavirus cases continue to rise

The outbreak of the coronavirus infection is affecting the people's lives in a way perhaps no one expected just about 70-80 days ago. Now nations across the world are dealing with this pandemic.

Coronavirus: How is the world dealing with Pandemic?

The underlying message of the video conference was unitedly taking on the virus, but Pakistan used the occasion to raise the Kashmir issue, calling for immediate lifting of the "lockdown" there to allow disease containment measures.

Coronavirus SAARC Meet: Pakistan's attempt to belittle India?

The Bank of Japan was "ready to cut interest rates in negative areas" as it became the first G7 central bank to follow the Federal Reserve's weekend intervention.

Bank of Japan eases its credit policy to stem economy after Fed reserve slashes interest rates

In this video, WION exclusively speaks to Dr Sanjeev Choubey, Medical Director at St. Michel Hospital who stayed back in Wuhan to help COVID-19 patients day-night.

LIVE : Doctor who stayed back in Wuhan to help COVID-19 patients day-night!

Asia's third-largest economy i.e, India also got worst-hit by travel restrictions and the closure of malls, theatres and educational institutions amid the outbreak of 'pandemic' COVID-19.

COVID-19 took its toll on Indian economy as well, worst hit to aviation & hospitality industry

Emergency action has been taken to support the economy during the Coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Reserve announced on Sunday that it would cut its target interest rate to near zero.

Federal reserve slashes interest rates to zero amid global economy crisis

wuhan

Wuhan, News on Wuhan, stories on Wuhan, articles on Wuhan, Wuhan stories at Wion, Wuhan news, Wuhan latest news