HRD Forum & Nagpur First have jointly organized an e-session on “Covid19 – Biology & Economy† through zoom.  Global Leadership Talk conducted by Dr. Pratik Lodha Ph.D from Ottawa Canada, and working as a Management Consultant at Clarity Management Group located in Toronto Canada.
Pratik Lodha explained about Biological Classification of viruses, viral replication, what is coronavirus? Human Immunity, What and types of vaccine, COVID-19 Impacts on the global economy, etc.
He informed about Living on the Edge of the Virus. Viruses are extremely small parasites, obtain nutrients from another organism, it can infect organisms from all kingdoms. He said viral replication does not grow through cell division, but it makes multiple copies of themselves by using a host cell. He also differential about viruses and bacteria, as viruses are non-living, no cells, smaller (20-100nm), reproduction involves a host cell and antibiotics will not affect the disease. Whereas the Bacteria are living, unicellular, larger (1000nm), reproduction through binary fission and usually treated with antibiotics. Both can cause disease and contaminate humans.
He also informed about COVID-19 coronavirus, which is a family of RNA viruses known since 1960s. Zoonotic disease : Pathogens move from animal species into human population, as populations grow closer to animals, which increased risk of zoonotic viral infection. It also causes of Mers-CoV coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS and
SARS-CoV: coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS.
He advised the participants about Human Immunity i.e. Innate Response, which is a Defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of foreign antigen’s appearance (ex. cut, flu) and bodies usually fight viral infections with the innate response. But in Adaptive Response, which refers to antigen-specific immune response and involves more complex mechanisms and adapts + learns how to fight against familiar illnesses or diseases – Ex. Chicken pox.
He informed about vaccine, which helps body become immune to a disease, contains dead part of the germ or part of the poison the germ makes, therefore does not make you sick and protects the body from getting certain diseases similar to adaptive response. He further said various types of vaccines i.e. live virus vaccines for Measles, chickenpox, yellow fever. Inactivated vaccines for Hepatitis A, polio. Biosynthetic vaccines for Hepatitis B, HPV, shingles, pneumococcal and meningococcal disease and Toxoid vaccines for Diphtheria, tetanus.
He also explained about Herd Immunity, which is an indirect form of protection – formed when large population becomes immune to infection (ex. vaccinations, previous infections). Thereby, it provides protective measures for individuals, who may not be immune, more common among developed countries, COVID-19 is yet to reach its peak and in May month could see cases touching the highest level in India.
He said Pandemic Response and global measures also suggested that emphasis on general personal hygiene, practicing social distancing and quarantine, Trade and travel restrictions, Maintenance of essential services, increased research on vaccine programmes and Pandemic surveillance.
He said Covid-19 is here to stay till ~80% of the population, which is not vaccinated/recovered – 2 to 4 years. Consumption will come to 80-90% of it 2019 peak in Q3 2020, growth will, however, be stalled for next 2 to 4 years. Countries that do not take measures after opening up will suffer additional economic losses the most – 2nd wave of Covid-19. Countries should focus on vaccine R&D, production and distribution along with testing and contact tracing.
He advised the participants that this is survival of the quickest not fittest, this too shall pass, the earth is sick and needs a break, Stay home, maintain distance and wash your hands and doing nothing now is doing the necessary.
Aanya Bhatia, co-author of presentation from Canada also assisted the guest speaker during the presentation. Dr Sanjay Arora moderated the session.
Earlier Dinesh Jain, Nagpur First, International President welcomed the guest speaker and Hemant Lodha, Chairman of VIA HRD Forum in his welcome address informed about present global situation and how Indian Government is aptly handling the situation by convincing citizens to adopt safety measures and social distancing. Neelam Bowade, Convener of VIA HRD Forum made an opening remark and also conducted the proceedings.
