Coronaga

Should this podcast be shared in youtube or not? Does it make sense to just put audio file with a banner in youtube? 

This week, some new SOPs are expected, here are some of the key features you can expect.

Christmas 2020. How will it be like? And there are anti-mask protests happening in Italy, as also in the US. Where are we headed towards?

We are in Unlock-4, but the COVID-19 cases are increasing. Is the unlock because COVID-19 pandemic is under control?

Psalm 91 and following safety precautions. Is wearing mask a lack of faith?

Freedom and lockdown. Choice and Restriction orders. How should a Christian response be to restrictions during this pandemic?

Future of the church: physical congregation and digital live streaming of worship. Is there a threat of permanent adverse change?

Unusual the days are. Are these signs of the last days?

These are the questions I asked Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). 

Nagaland has experienced total lockdowns along with the rest of India and many parts of the world. This is the first time in our lifetime when churches have been closed for months on end along with schools and other various institutions. Dr. Zelhou faces these questions where there is potential friction of religious faith with the government's restriction orders. Rather than conflict or friction, he says that following the government's SOPs is good and it can be also be an expression of love and care for one another in protecting each other from COVID-19. It is a temporary phase and the intention of the government is not to target the church but to protect people from infection. He urges people to have faith and hope, while not to become complacent in following safety measures.

Also available on youtube Coronaga channel 

There is a confusion over the terms like Containment, Containment Zone, Contact tracing, Sealing, Lockdown, Quarantine, Isolation. All these are measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, the Cluster Containment Plan or Containment Plan or Containment SOP is different and not to be used loosely. This episode clarifies these confusing terms and explains the Cluster Containment Plan. As we enter another phase of Unlock, there are various activities which are still not permitted in the containment zones. This episode explains the conditions which will qualify an area as a containment zone, and what are the various activities which will come with that declaration. 

And the day's (31st August 2020) update of COVID-19 situation in Nagaland.

Episode also available in youtube

People with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms are in Home Isolation. So, what are the tips that can be given on diet, self health monitoring, symptoms and dangers to look out for, how not to spread infection to family members, who are the family members who are at more risk, and how to use Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis. For all these concerns, I spoke to Dr. Wetshelo T. Mero, Pediatrician in the COVID Hospital / District Hospital, Phek, Nagaland. Also the day's (28th August, 2020) update of COVID-19 situation in Nagaland.

A Toll Free State Helpline for COVID-19 is in place to provide various services like: speak to a doctor or counsellor, technical support for nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App, COVID-19 information centre, grievances and complaints. Any caller can avail the service in English or Nagamese. For more details, I spoke with Er. Alongla Aier, Team Leader of the Central Monitoring Team for COVID-19 based at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, Nagaland. 

There is difference of opinion if the names of the COVID-19 positive patients or suspected persons should be revealed. Some argue that in the interest of public health and to identify and avoid the spread of the virus, the positive patients' names should be displayed or revealed. Whereas others argue that every person and patient has the right to privacy and confidentiality. Revealing names have led to stigmatization and discrimination. There is flexibility under the Disaster Management Act 2005 for the States to frame their laws in India. The stand of Nagaland government is to not reveal the identity and doing so is a punishable offence. And of course the day's (26th August) status update is highlighted in this episode.

The advice to wear mask is a standard advice so as to protect yourself and others from getting the infection. New evidence as shared by researchers from the University of San Francisco (Dr. Monica Gandhi) suggests that mask does not only protect you from getting the infection. Even if you should be infected by COVID-19, if you have been wearing a mask, the outcome would be much better. Chances are that you will be asymptomatic rather than suffering from serious symptoms. Also the interesting episode of the two hair dressers from Missouri who unknowingly catered to 139 clients while being positive but not passing on the infection to any of them because of the safe practice they had put in place; this story is shared. And as usual, the status update of COVID-19 cases in Nagaland as on 25th August, 2020.

When you return home from the market or the office, or any public places, what are the safety precautions you can follow to protect your loved ones at home? The market and office are some of the high risk places for which the Government of Nagaland has issued safety precautions. These are highlighted here. And when you are returning from these places, the things that you need to do as you reach home are covered in this episode. Also the day's COVID-19 status in Nagaland (24th August, 2020) is highlighted.