guest author – UdaipurBlog

What we are facing right now is a national emergency. Covid is real and right here. And no, it’s not just a fever!! It is extremely important to understand the gravity of the situation because the only way to break the chain of transmission as of now is by staying indoors.

Doctors have been repeatedly emphasising on the practice of covid appropriate behaviour. You have been told things that all of you know by now- “Do not step outside unless absolutely necessary. If at all you need to go out, please wear double masks at all times, fully covering your nose and mouth. Sanitize and wash your hands regularly and do not touch your eyes or nose with your hands.”

Let me tell you why it is important-

The Sars-Cov-2 virus is doing exactly what it is supposed to i.e. evolution based on Darwinian law of survival. Covid appropriate behaviour (like physical distancing, use of masks, washing hands) and neutralising antibodies to the viral spike protein derived from natural infection are antiviral in a way because they prevent the spread of disease. But when this antiviral response is ‘suboptimal’ (lack of covid appropriate behaviour) the virus becomes resistant to our natural immune response and produces mutations. And as the virus keeps on mutating, we might another wave of this.

So the key is to firstly break the chain of transmission by staying indoors and following covid appropriate behaviour. And secondly, controlling the spread by establishing vaccine-induced herd immunity.

Now that the vaccination is open for all, please get yourself vaccinated. Do not believe in all those myths related to the vaccine. Vaccines induce a polyclonal immune response triggering higher neutralising antibodies than the natural infection thus strengthening our antiviral response and suppressing emerging variants.

Please understand that the healthcare system is already overburdened and if people keep on getting infected, it will eventually collapse. In many places, we are already on shortage of resources, but if do your part by staying at home, masking up when out and getting vaccinated we can fight this together.

This article has been contributed by Dr. Aditi Modi.

If you wish to contribute to UdaipurBlog, write to us at info@udaipurblog.com

Days passed, months ended and here we are about to bid goodbye to 2011 . Yes! Its high NEW YEAR TIME guys and apart from celebrations, hangouts and shopping, everyone wants to get the best out of them in the upcoming year 😀 The first thing that clicks every individual’s mind is WHAT changes they want in them, WHAT new they intend to bring in their life :O. As we all are aware that human wants and zests are unlimited, so the identification of immediate longing plays an enormous role. This is what defines a resolution.

Whenever I see New Year approaching, the first thought in my mind (of course after deciding the New Year gift) is what to resolve for the next year. One should adjudicate their goals according to their capabilities. To share old memories, in our School times, every girl (GIRLS CONVENT SCHOOL) had to resolve the best thing she aspires. Though we never followed what we resolved, but it was fun knowing what everyone wanted to achieve. Funny upshots came up like “I WOULD DATE THE BEST GUY OF THE CITY”, “I WOULD MAKE MYSELF A PERFECT ZERO FIGURE” and many more ( trust me, girls don’t miss a single chance to prove themselves SILLY). One of the toppers of the class suggested providing lunch to the poor children (TO MENTION-the children coming to our very own school for free education). That soon became the resolution of our whole class, and believe me, that CHARITY gave the best of the feel deep down the heart.

Coming back to the concerned topic, there are many resolutions one can take to make himself, his family, and even the entire city happier and a joy to live in 2012. To give a start, I can see almost all the youngsters, despite knowing about the disadvantages and the health issues that may arise in the future are addicted to consumption of drugs, liquor, and most of all, Hukkah. A local paper of Udaipur dated 21^st December 2011, reads out that Udaipurites have resolved to fight against the consumption of anti-social consumables like Liquor, Cigarettes, Hukkah, etc, which is a statement of pride in itself. Surveys also state and swear that Hukka is being banned in Udaipur from the very first day of 2012 itself. With the rising drug addiction and high stream of money, it’s high time to make everyone aware about the pros and cons of these drugs.

With high number of poverty stuck illiterate people, it’s our responsibility to raise voice against expanding social issues like child marriage, female infanticide/feticide (Both are at its highest peak in Rajasthan). It is the duty of Youth to resolve to scrap out these problems as well as ameliorate them among the ignorant. This can be the next resolution in one’s life if someone really wants to help the society as well.

Huge numbers of accidents are taking place in the city because of rash driving. Recently the cover story in a local daily reported against a boy aged 16 years riding his bike at 120 plus kmph, and hitting a herd (group of cattle) that came on the same way. So everyone should resolve to prove to be good citizen and prove to be a better human. Let no animal be injured, but most important, be responsible while driving on the roads, as you are even responsible for the traffic that move around you.

Bringing the most important topic into concern and admiring my own city-the city of lakes. We all know its beauty has made it the favourite tourism spot in whole of the Rajasthan, and even the world. So, resolving to keep the city clean and being eco friendly will be a great contribution. It is in our hands to take Udaipur to a new height. There are many points one can just start up with. So Udaipurites- think innovative, give a chance to yourself, resolve high and achieve big.

For the cessation, I would just end up saying that do something which brings a positive alteration because WE, THE YOUTH CAN CREATE A DIFFERENCE 😀

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone in advance. 🙂

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Guest Article by: Geetanjali Khatri