Call
+918447748545

Published on: May 15, 2020
4 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Living With COVID And Returning To BAU!

Hurdles to Business As Usual – Hurdles to Life as Usual – Living with COVID!

Obstacles to re-open the country

As we come to the 2-month mark of lockdown, its effect on the populous is becoming apparent. The extreme restrictions have had a significant impact on people’s physical health, mental health, and general livelihood, and many people are itching for life to get back to normal. Many countries including New Zealand, Germany, Italy, and Spain have seen the first peak of COVID infections pass, and some have already begun reopening parts of their economy. This has led to concerns from public health officials that relaxing the lockdown too early and too liberally will lead to a rapid increase in infection rates. Indeed, Germany has already seen an increase in R0 above 1 (one infected person will infect more than one person, causing the disease to propagate).

Trying to work out how to reopen a country without causing another spike in COVID deaths is probably the biggest issue faced by public health officials across the world. And trying to convey clear instructions to the public is an issue some countries are currently struggling with. In the next few blogs we will look at the issues faced, what has worked and what needs improvement, and what we as the public can do to keep ourselves safe.

THE MASKS WE WEAR

We have discussed masks at the start of the pandemic, and we have discussed masks as the pandemic has progressed. Why are we bringing it up again?

Masks have been a heated point of contention, but their role in public health has matured over the past few weeks. At the beginning of the pandemic, masks were a rare commodity, with DIY stores running dry of masks, stories of people stealing masks from clinical environments, and very confusing advice on whether the public should wear masks in public.

At that time the WHO had recommended only infected patients and those working with infected people wear masks, to save on the precious PPE for medical professionals. N95 respirators are seen as the gold standard in protective equipment, and hospitals are still struggling to provide staff with enough respirators, let alone the public. Concerns have also been raised on whether using masks will provide a false sense of security, especially if they stop washing hands or touch the infected parts of the masks.

But now we are past the first COVID peak, and advice on masks has changed. People should wear a mask if they are in public. Germany has implemented this advice, as has Austria for its public markets. In the US many stores are requesting public wear masks before entry. Rather than surgical masks or respirators, the use of homemade or purchased cotton masks has been encouraged.

LET’S LOOK AT WHY

Surgical masks and respirators aim to protect the user from inhaling microscopic aerosolized COVID particles. Cotton masks do not function this way. Instead, they prevent the wearer from spreading COVID by catching much larger droplets that is coughed/sneezed or generally breathed out.

The majority of people with COVID-19 are able to spread the infection to others up to 3 days before they show symptoms. Indeed as many as 50% of infections seem to occur from pre-symptomatic individuals. During this time they produce the greatest amount of viral particles, and these particles can stay in the air for several hours. Someone with asymptomatic COVID walking around in public or in a shop could infect lots of people.

So wearing a mask, even if you are not symptomatic or around infected patients helps prevent the spread of the infection. We know already just how infective COVID-19 is, so any measures that reduces infection even a little will end up reducing spread drastically on a population level. It has been compared to seatbelts – one person might not feel the benefits, but they save thousands of lives across the country on a yearly basis.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE?

In our blogs, we often talk about the importance of evidence. We look at the quality of evidence, how different types of research gives good and bad evidence, and why we should always give evidence-based advice.

So is there any evidence supporting masks? We have evidence that cloth masks can stop 99% of droplets that are coughed up, and whilst it doesn’t block aerosols or actual viral particles it still has a significant impact on transmission. We also have strong evidence from high infectivity in choir groups and at call centers that the majority of transmission is via the air, rather than from surfaces.

But what about the highest level of evidence? Comparing people who do or don’t wear masks is not a study that can be easily performed or one that has been performed adequately. But why should you wait? There is minimal to no risk associated with wearing a cloth mask, it offers some protection to you and a lot of protection to the public. In these cases, we should take a precautionary approach.

We don’t have any high-quality evidence looking at hand washing or physical distancing. But precautionary measures enforced have helped reduce infectivity. The same applies to masks. The best we can offer is an Australian study looking at mask use during influenza. They found observational data suggest that transmission of viral respiratory infection was significantly reduced during the SARS epidemic with the use of face masks as well as other infection control measures” and “in an adjusted analysis of compliant subjects, masks as a group had protective efficacy in excess of 80% against clinical influenza-like illness.”. In compliant users, masks were highly efficacious.

So that’s our advice. If you're going to go out in public, wear a mask.

If you don’t have a mask, you can order one online. Or be adventurous. Make one out of an old T-shirt or sock. Here are some ways to make one without needing to sew.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/11/make-non-medical-coronavirus-face-mask-no-sewing-required masks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r51YroAFPds DIY Face Mask

MORE INFORMATION

https://www.fast.ai/2020/04/20/skeptics-masks/#mightnt-people-handle-their-masks-wrong-and-make-things-worse Masks - FAQ

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1435 face masks for the public

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30918-1/fulltext wearing face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: altruism and solidarity

https://twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1253244613927874560 twitter trisha

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

Read Blog

Role of Nutrition in Disease Prevention: How Food Choices Shape Long-Term Health

Disease prevention is no longer limited to vaccinations and medical screenings. Modern healthcare increasingly recognises nutrition as one of the most powerful tools for preventing illness before it begins. The role of nutrition in disease prevention is especially important in India, where lifestyle-related diseases account for a large share of premature illness and mortality.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), poor dietary patterns contribute significantly to rising cases of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension. Unlike genetic factors, nutrition is a modifiable risk factor, meaning everyday food choices can actively protect health.

Why Nutrition Is Central to Disease Prevention

1. Nutrition regulates metabolic health

Balanced diets help maintain:

healthy blood sugar levels
optimal cholesterol balance
stable blood pressure

Disruption in these systems increases disease risk.

2. Nutrition strengthens immunity

WHO highlights that immune function depends heavily on adequate intake of vitamins, minerals and protein.

3. Nutrition controls inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to most lifestyle diseases. Diets rich in whole foods reduce inflammatory markers.

Major Diseases Influenced by Nutrition

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Excess refined carbohydrates and sugar drive insulin resistance.

Preventive nutrition focuses on:

whole grains
fibre-rich vegetables
adequate protein
controlled portion sizes

ICMR data shows that dietary modification can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in India.

Nutrition impacts:

cholesterol levels
blood pressure
arterial inflammation

Diets low in trans fats and high in fibre significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, as confirmed by WHO and Lancet studies.

Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Preventive nutrition addresses:

calorie density
food quality
satiety regulation

NFHS-5 reports a steady rise in overweight and obesity across age groups.

Hypertension

High sodium intake and low potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure.

Preventive dietary strategies include:

reducing processed foods
increasing fruits and vegetables
maintaining mineral balance

Certain Cancers

Diet influences cancer risk through:

antioxidant intake
fibre consumption
reduced exposure to carcinogenic compounds

WHO estimates that a significant percentage of cancers are preventable through diet and lifestyle changes.

Key Nutrients That Support Disease Prevention

Fibre

Supports gut health, blood sugar control and cholesterol reduction.

Protein

Essential for muscle health, immune function and metabolic balance.

Healthy Fats

Omega-3 fats reduce inflammation and protect heart health.

Micronutrients

Iron, zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins are essential for metabolic and immune regulation.

NFHS-5 highlights widespread micronutrient deficiencies in India, increasing disease vulnerability.

Role of Gut Health in Prevention

The gut microbiome plays a major role in:

immune regulation
inflammation control
nutrient absorption

Fermented foods and fibre-rich diets support healthy gut bacteria, strengthening disease resistance.

Why Preventive Nutrition Works Best Early

Nutrition is most effective when applied:

before disease onset
during pre-disease stages
alongside regular health screening

Once disease progresses, nutrition remains supportive but may not reverse damage fully.

Nutrition vs Medication in Prevention

Medication treats disease; nutrition reduces risk.

WHO and NITI Aayog emphasize that:

preventive nutrition reduces disease incidence
lifestyle modification lowers healthcare burden
early nutrition changes reduce dependency on long-term medication

Both approaches work best when combined appropriately.

Workplace and Community Role in Preventive Nutrition

Structured nutrition programs at workplaces and communities:

improve awareness
support behaviour change
reduce population-level disease burden

Lancet studies show that group-based nutrition interventions improve long-term adherence.

Common Myths About Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Myth 1: Supplements replace healthy food

Whole foods provide better long-term protection.

Myth 2: Prevention requires extreme diets

Consistency matters more than restriction.

Myth 3: Nutrition only matters after diagnosis

Early nutrition is most effective before disease develops.

Building a Preventive Nutrition Routine

Effective preventive nutrition includes:

regular meals
diverse food groups
portion awareness
minimal processed foods
hydration

Small daily choices compound into long-term health benefits.

Long-Term Impact of Preventive Nutrition

Consistent healthy eating leads to:

reduced disease risk
improved energy and productivity
better immune resilience
lower healthcare costs
improved quality of life

NITI Aayog identifies nutrition as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare systems.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of nutrition in disease prevention empowers individuals to take control of their health long before illness develops. Balanced, consistent nutrition reduces inflammation, supports immunity and protects against chronic diseases that burden India’s healthcare system. Preventive nutrition is not about short-term fixes but about building lifelong habits that support health, resilience and longevity.

References

ICMR – Nutrition and Lifestyle Disease Prevention Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Dietary and Metabolic Health Data
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Strategy Reports
WHO – Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Guidelines
Lancet – Nutrition and Disease Risk Reduction Studies
Statista – Dietary Trends and Health Outcomes India
EY-FICCI – Preventive Healthcare and Nutrition Economics

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.