To fight a war and win, Sun Tzu, the 6th century BCE Chinese military strategist and author of The Art of War, advises that you first know your enemy well. So, first let’s get to know Covid-19—the world’s Enemy No. 1 that has afflicted over 12 million people in 213 countries and territories and caused more than half a million deaths, at last count. In India alone, there are 700,000 cases with over 20,000 dead—putting us in the unenviable position of being No. 3 in the list of countries with the biggest toll of COVID cases, behind only Brazil and the United States. A recent study by MIT predicts that given the size of India’s population, we may have as many 270,000 cases a day by February 2021. This could eventually make us the worst-affected country in the world if no vaccine is found to treat the virus by then.
The micro-organism responsible for the pandemic is a formidable opponent that can rapidly fell humans a zillion times its size in huge numbers. To get an idea of how small this silent, insidious assassin really is, think of this: a thousand of them could fit into a grain of salt with ease. With the virus first being reported in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) termed it Coronavirus Disease 2019 or Covid-19 because of its descent from the corona family of viruses, which have a zoonotic origin (passed on from animals to humans). The ancestor of the coronaviruses was first discovered in the 1960s and got its name from its crown-like shape when viewed through an electron microscope. Seen through more powerful diagnostic viewing tools now, the virus appears spherical and is studded with distinctive spikes known as peplomers. Multiplying rapidly in the sea of humanity, the virus has in just six months wreaked enormous havoc and distress on the world.
This story is from the July 20, 2020 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 20, 2020 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Check On Sale Of Insurance
Complaints about insurance mis-selling come up mostly when a claim is rejected or the policyholder doesn't get what he thinks he bought the policy for
How To Make Better Financial Decisions
Let logic, not emotion, dictate your wealth choices. Understand your emotions first, then temper them with facts, and you will arrive at better financial decisions
WHEN DO YOU GET AN INCOME TAX REFUND?
An assessee becomes entitled to an income tax refund when the tax they have paid exceeds what they are liable to pay in a financial year
STANDING UP AND TRANSFORMING LIVES
THE LAUNCH EVENT OF THE MAHINDRA RISE INITIATIVE, ORGANISED BY THE INDIA TODAY GROUP AND MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA, HONOURED WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS WHO ARE LEADING THE CHARGE FOR A BETTER INDIA
THE SENSE OF ARRIVAL
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's journey in the film industry has been about finding success by overcoming fear
IN THE SAFE ZONE
AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY FOCUSSED ON BETTER AND MORE ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES IN THEIR CARS. HEIGHTENED CUSTOMER AWARENESS HAS GIVEN THIS AN ADDED IMPETUS
TWIN STRIKE
WE GET A LEG OVER APRILIA'S MADE-IN-INDIA RS 457 AT THE GRUELLING KARI MOTOR SPEEDWAY
INDIAN SAFETY RATINGS FOR CARS
THE BHARAT NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM RATES THEM FOR BOTH ADULT AND CHILD OCCUPANT PROTECTION
THE MEDIUM, NOT THE MESSAGE
We live in an age where there is an economy built on distraction and a complete corruption of attention.
HAIL TO THE KING - THE HYUNDAI CRETA GETS MAJOR UPDATES, LOOKS SET TO CONTINUE AS SEGMENT LEADER
Just under four years after the arrival of the second generation Creta, Hyundai has given its bestseller a major overhaul with a significant redesign of the exterior and interior, more features, enhanced safety and a new turbo petrol powertrain.