Mysuru, January 7, 2022 (www.justkannada.in): “Whatever measures the government or the experts’ committee may take, cooperation of the public is very important if those rules want to become successful,” opined M.S. Basavaraj, Chief Medical Officer, University of Mysore.
He participate in a lecture program on the topic, “Antigenic Variation in SARS-COV-2 and Vaccine,” Escape, jointly organized by the Genetics and Genomics and Zoology Departments, University of Mysore, held at the Vignana Bhavana, in Manasagangotri campus.
“The COVID-19 Pandemic that shook the entire world has entered its third wave. There were 6,000 cases on December 28, which increased to 1.14 lakh by January 6. More than 300 million people have been infected and 5.5 million have lost their lives due to the pandemic. There were 8 lakh cases last year which has increased to 25 lakh this year. The COVID vaccine provides us immunity, but it is not an antibiotic,” he said.
“If the scientists ask us to follow guidelines we feel it as silly. Whereas it is true that America is facing the 5th wave. The daily cases which were 9,000 have increased to 7 lakh now there. When a country like the USA
which has a 33 crore population is getting 7 lakh cases daily, what would be the situation in our country which has a 130 crore population. Above this, we should not neglect COVID or Omicron,” he said.
He informed, masks protect our lives and asked everyone to wear masks properly. “While helmet protects our head, masks protect our lives,” he added. “In countries like Taiwan and New Zealand when a COVID case is found, they find out the infected person through mapping and quarantine him and treat them. In Phillippines those who won’t follow COVID-appropriate rules will be arrested,” he opined.
Prof. S.S. Malini, Head, Genetics and Genomics Department, Dr. Pratibha K.P., Dr. Chaitra P.T., Dr. Somanna A.N., Koushik Ponnanna C.S., Lakhsmi K., and research students participated in the lecture program.
Keywords: COVID/ Lecture program/ Genetics and Genomics Department/ University of Mysore/ Masks protect our lives
