In order to curb and check the rapid transmission of the Covid-19 in its second wave, the office of the Government's principal scientific advisor  has issued some simple, but highly potent illustrative guidelines. Titled “Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic – Masks, distance, sanitation and ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus,” the advisory gives an overview of what Covid-19 and its transmission, and simple interventions that need to made to stop its spread.

With the help of illustrations it explains the reader about the key routes of virus transmission from one person to another through aerosols, droplets and surfaces. It clearly states that one must wear a mask even around people who don’t show any symptom of infection. It helps one understand the key routes by explaining the three key routes of transmission.

Moving to wearing of masks, the guidelines pertinently point out its importance. Likewise it shows that if two persons do not wear masks it is very high risk, while one wears it makes it high risk and it is only both wearing masks that makes it low risk. Providing instructions on how to maintain the masks it clearly suggests that surgical masks should never be washed.

As a majority of the population is isolated at home, the document makes it clear the vital role played by proper ventilation of the homes and offices. Illustrations clearly show poor, good and ideal ventilation situations. Useful tips like where to place the place the fans and exhaust fans will be very handy for people.

Ventilation is important to check spread of Coronavirus (Pic: Courtesy CDC)

It goes on to cover the importance of other well-ventilated spaceslike hutment and offices too. For rural areas it is suggested that gram panchayats should install jaalis or air outlets with exhaust fans in homes. For workplaces, it is clearly stated that air conditioners while keeping the windows and doors shut is highly risky while suggesting ways to cool the place with ACs. Accompanying diagrams make it very vivid for the users.

Likewise, precautions for a centralised air management system too is explained. It states that improving central air filtration /increased filtration efficiency is especially helpful when enhanced outdoor air delivery options are limited. In offices, auditoriums, shopping malls etc. use of gable fan systems and roof ventilators are recommended.

Frequent cleaning and replacement of filters is too recommended.

The guidelines even touch upon the ventilation in buses and trains.

With the pandemic spreading to rural and semi-rural areas, the advisory discusses the community-level testing and isolation.

Lastly six simple steps explained through text and drawings reiterate on how to contain and win over the raging Coronavirus.

Please click on the given below link for the Advisory:

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2021/may/doc202151941.pdf