The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)
TZU CHI 120 17 to much unnecessary anxiety,” surmised Dr. Chee solemnly, besides highlighting the official websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MOH) as reliable sources of accurate information. “The Covid-19 virus is a type of betacoronavirus (or Beta-CoV), as is the severe acute respiratory syndrome (or SARS-CoV) virus. This strain of virus is averse to heat, hence exposure to hot weather reduces both its activity levels and the risk of infection. Malaysians are at an advantage as our population is comparatively less dense,” reasoned Dr. Chee, explaining the factors that position Malaysians as relatively “safe” from the outbreak. The Covid-19 situation in Malaysia currently remains under reasonable control, recording 50 confirmed cases, of which 22 patients have recovered, with zero fatalities as of March 4, 2020. “Dengue fever deserves more attention as compared to the Covid-19 virus. The Malaysian government has been calling on Malaysians to keep our home environment clean, yet we reported the highest number of dengue cases last year. This year, 33 lives have been lost to dengue fever within a month,” stressed Dr. Chee. Viruses are a constant presence in our life and thrive by undergoing mutation to adapt to ever-evolving environments. Hence, a lifestyle change is necessary in order to defend ourselves from infectious diseases, starting with adopting a balanced lifestyle and enhancing immunity. “Since young, we have been taught to wash our hands before meals, but how many of us truly follow through? Everyone is capable of following a regimen of regular exercise, a balanced diet, improving personal hygiene and adhering to directives by the authorities.” Lessons from virus-related diseases In 2018, the US-based Global Virome Project was initiated, gathering scientists and researchers from numerous countries to identify and characterize the vast pool of unknown viruses over the next ten years in an effort to reduce the risk of harm from future viral outbreaks. It is estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 types of viruses are of a zoonotic nature, or have the potential to be transmitted from animals to humans; the bat population alone carries more than 200 strains of viruses. “Conducting research on viruses has alerted me to the link between avoiding contact with wild animals and minimizing the occurrence of zoonotic diseases,” shared Dr. Chee, whose laboratory work has given her exposure to the hazards of zoonotic diseases, compelling her to reduce her consumption of pork since the 1999 Nipah virus outbreak. She resolved to become a vegetarian after learning of the implications of the 2009 H1N1 epidemic and gaining a deeper understanding of the concept of vegetarianism through Tzu Chi. “It’s time to sit up and pay attention to the urgency of the Covid-19 outbreak for our own benefit as well as for the sake of future generations. When a major disaster strikes, we ought to take heed of the crisis as a wake-up call to reflect on our shortcomings. Vegetarianism is an effective means of keeping disease-causing zoonotic pathogens at bay,” she urged. Staying Safe in Combating Coronavirus
Made with FlippingBook
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjE5Mjc=