As we approach the nine-month mark since we learnt about the highly contagious virus that first emerged in Wuhan, China, it is pretty evident that novel coronavirus can manifest in absolutely bizarre, never-seen-before ways. Even as the scientific community across the world continues to research more about the novel virus, it has been established that the symptoms of COVID-19 vary greatly. It has been noted that people who recover after severe coronavirus disease may end up with permanent lung damage and significant impact on other vital organs, including brain, heart and kidney.

As we write this, there are more than 22 million coronavirus cases across the world and the disease has already claimed 7,97,181 lives globally. While India has clocked in more than 12 lakh Coronavirus cases in August (the highest in the world), people have slowly started developing a lackadaisical attitude towards preventive measures or have stopped following social distancing norms entirely. Their excuse? They believe that they may have already contracted COVID-19 and there is nothing to fear anymore.

While scientists and the medical community across the globe have made great strides in developing 160 plus vaccine candidates to battle the highly infectious disease, the general public flouting social distancing norms has become a commonplace occurrence. People, who went back to their jobs and businesses as soon as the lockdown restrictions were lifted, have made peace with the virus lingering around them. So, you won’t find them maintaining a six feet distance with absolute strangers, as they have dealt with them day in and day out for the past few months.

While they may wear masks as the bare minimum precautionary measure, you will find them throwing caution to the wind, even the world struggles to contain the pandemic. Their reason is simple. They have been going out ever since the restrictions were lifted and interact with a lot of people on a daily basis---they believe that they have ‘already’ been infected. What people don’t understand is that this notion is not only harmful for the society at large but can prove to be dangerous for their family members as well.

When you flout social distancing norms and ignore the standard preventive practises without knowing whether or not you have actually contracted COVID-19 and gotten better, you put those in high-risk groups in grave danger. So, from elderlies in the households to those battling chronic ailments, your negligence can cost them their health. Not fair to them, is it? You are actually exposing your family members to the novel contagion, simply because you feel that you have already been infected and are now immune to the disease.

Let’s take the second scenario, where you have taken the wise decision of getting an antibody test done to check whether or not you have already contracted the disease. If you find out that you have already been infected with the virus, hear us out before you leave the face covers at home. Since there is still a lot to learn about the novel coronavirus, there is not enough data to suggest that you cannot contract COVID-19 again.

Infact, a study conducted by the researchers of the Kings College London found out that antibody levels in people who have recovered from COVID-19 dropped rapidly in the span of just two to three months. In some cases, they vanished completely. It should also be noted that there have been multiple reports from across the world about people getting reinfected from coronavirus, merely months after their recovery.

The world has been warned about the pandemic over and over again by health agencies and global experts. If we do not put in joint efforts in containing the spread of the novel contagion, we are simply pushing back the timeline for the road to recovery. This precisely means that when you choose NOT to wear a mask or do not practise social distancing measures, you definitely play your part in increasing the coronavirus cases. Choose wisely.