#COVID19India - A thread for the Layman.

I'll attempt to keep it as simple and concise as possible.

A) Precautions
B) Testing
C) Vaccines
D) ?? Herd Immunity ??
E) MISINFORMATION/MYTHS/CONSPIRACIES

1/n

A) PRECAUTIONS

The second wave of COVID is here, as states have started entering into lockdowns once more. Adequate precautions are the only way to protect yourself from infection.

MASKS - Any mask will do as long as it covers both your MOUTH and NOSE.

2/n

DISTANCING - Maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres from each other. Avoid unnecessary contact.

With rapidly rising cases, basic preventive measures like Masking and Distancing are as important as Breathing, Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping.

3/n

Here's a video from @MoHFW_INDIA on 15 basic behaviours to follow to keep yourself safe from COVID.

HINDI

ENGLISH

Prevention is better than cure. Following these precautions is easier and convenient than a hospital stay.

4/n

B) TESTING

There is much confusion and misinformation surrounding the tests used for #COVID19.

I'll attempt to clear the air regarding the 2 most widely used tests - Rapid Antigen Test and RTPCR.

5/n

RAPID ANTIGEN TEST

It detects antigens in the viral structure.

ADVANTAGES: Cheap, Fast
DISADVANTAGE: Less sensitive - RAT cannot detect a low viral load.

If POSITIVE - Active Infection
A NEGATIVE result may not necessarily be NEGATIVE. It needs follow-up with RTPCR.

6/n

RTPCR

It is a test that detects the presence of viral genetic material.

ADVANTAGE: Highly sensitive - can detect very low viral load.
DISADVANTAGE: Costly, Time-consuming

RTPCR is a Confirmatory Test.

If Positive - Active Infection
If Negative - No Infection***

7/n

***If RTPCR is negative, but you are symptomatic, and/or investigations/radiology suggest a possible infection - Treat as COVID positive.

Why?

1. Timing of Sample Collection may cause a False Negative.
2. In a few cases, RTPCR has been shown to give a False Negative.

8/n

CT VALUE

Cycle Threshold - The minimum number of cycles required to detect Viral genetic material.

If the viral load is high, it is detected in fewer cycles. If the viral load is low, it needs more cycles to be detected.

Low CT = High Viral Load
High CT = Low Viral Load

9/n

C) VACCINES

There are many vaccines being tested currently.

@pfizer and @BioNTech_Group mRNA vaccine
@moderna_tx mRNA vaccine
@AstraZeneca and @UniofOxford vaccine
@BharatBiotech vaccine

and many more...

10/n

mRNA vaccines are a promising avenue currently.

The image shows how the mRNA vaccines will work.

This link from the CDC contains everything you need to know about COVID vaccines.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

11/n

Vaccine FAQs answered:

>COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19.
>COVID-19 vaccines will not cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests.

Ref: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines/vaccine-myths.html

12/n

Vaccine FAQs answered:

>People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated.
>Getting vaccinated can help prevent getting sick with COVID-19.

Ref: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines/vaccine-myths.html

13/n

D) ?? HERD IMMUNITY ??

What is Herd Immunity?

When a majority of the population has "protective immunity" towards an infection, it reduces the chances of infection in those who don't have immunity.

Since the infection cannot spread easily, it eventually dies out.

14/n

Should we aim for Herd Immunity by Natural Infection with COVID-19?

NO.

Achieving Herd Immunity requires anywhere between 50-80% of the population being infected - it is not practical or affordable.

And COVID-19 infection is not yet known to impart long term immunity.

15/n

Can we achieve Herd Immunity for COVID-19?

YES.

By vaccination.

Vaccines can provide long term immunity and immune memory.

Once effective and safe vaccines are available - Mass Vaccination can help develop Herd Immunity by vaccination.

16/n

E) MISINFORMATION/MYTHS/CONSPIRACIES

COVID-19 is a real pandemic - not a government conspiracy or biological warfare.
COVID-19 is not a mild infection like FLU - it can be potentially life-threatening.
Masks will not make you sick - masks are for protection.

17/n

Herd Immunity through infection cannot be a strategy - because COVID-19 has a high mortality rate.
COVID vaccine will be safe - it will not cause genetic defects or COVID infection.

18/n

It is beyond the scope of a tweet to cover all the misinformation about COVID.

Trust info only from genuine sources like MoHFW, CDC, WHO, etc.
Avoid sensational forwarded messages and conspiracy theories on Social Media.
Talk to a trusted doctor for correct info.

19/n

To sum up -

Masks and distancing are compulsory.
Negative RAT doesn't mean no infection. Follow up with RTPCR.
Vaccines will be effective, safe, and protective.
Herd immunity by natural infection is a strict no.
Do not trust conspiracy theories/myths.

20/20

@pash22 @das_seed @DevPalkar @ImTheSkylord @AjbaniAnkush @amitsurg @nuts2406 @spkalantri @DrDeepakKrishn1 @serioustaurean @kamdar_j @Sookshmadarshi @drshashidharbk @The_Psych_Doc @netshrink @doctorsoumya @GorwayGlobal @MoHFW_INDIA @DRJSSURI @RijoMJohn @karanjoshi

https://twitter.com/HaryaxPathak/status/1331538811885481984?s=19