East Africa Buzz

Question: Do smokers have higher risks for COVID-19? Answer:  Current evidence suggests that the severity of COVID-19 disease is higher among smokers. Smoking impairs lung function, making it more difficult for the body to fight off respiratory disease due to the new coronavirus. Question: Can the coronavirus disease spread through feces? Answer:  The risk of catching the COVID-19 virus from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. There is some evidence that the COVID-19 virus may lead to intestinal infection and be present in faces. Approximately 2−10% of cases of confirmed COVID-19 disease presented with diarrhoea (2−4), and two studies detected COVID-19 viral RNA fragments in the faecal matter of COVID-19 patients (5,6). However, to date only one study has cultured the COVID-19 virus from a single stool specimen (7). There have been no reports of faecal−oral transmission of the COVID-19 virus.   Question: Can COVID-19 spread in hot and humid climates? A

  What are the long lasting fruits and vegetables I should buy for COVID-19 quarantine? WHO recommends consuming a minimum of 400 g (i.e. 5 portions) of fruits and vegetables per day. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are good options, as well as bananas and apples, which can also be cut into smaller pieces and frozen for later consumption or to add to smoothies. Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips and beets, as well as vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are relatively nonperishable. Garlic, ginger and onions are also great options to keep at home, as they can be used to add flavor to a variety of meals. Question:  What is a heathy diet during the coronavirus disease pandemic? Answer:  Eat fresh and unprocessed foods every day Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils, beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, brown rice or starchy tubers or roots such as potato, yam, taro or cassava), and foods from animal

Try and reduce long periods of time spent sitting, whether for work, studying, watching TV, reading, or using social media or playing games using screens. Reduce sitting for long periods by taking short 3-5 minute breaks every 20-30 minutes. Simply stand up and stretch or even better, take a walk around the house, up and down the stairs, or into the garden. By just moving around and stretching you can improve your health and wellbeing. For more ideas and illustrations of healthy stretches see here. Set up a regular routine to be active every day, by planning a physical activity or exercise break either by yourself, by joining an online class, or by setting up a time to be active online with your friends or colleagues. Making a specific time to be active helps ensure you get your daily physical activity. Put the time in your diary, and it will help remind you.

Breastfeeding is particularly effective against infectious diseases because it strengthens the immune system by directly transferring antibodies from the mother. As with all confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, mothers with any symptoms who are breastfeeding or practicing skin-to-skin contact should take precautions. Question:  Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19? Answer:  Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. You should be supported to ; • Breastfeed safely, with good respiratory hygiene; • Hold your newborn skin-to-skin, and • Share a room with your baby • You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby, and keep all surfaces clean. Mothers with symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to wear a medical mask, during any contact with the baby.  

Question: Can I still get Covid after the Vaccine? Answer : If someone is unlucky to get Covid after having been vaccinated and you can still, in some cases, get Covid after you get vaccinated, even though your chances seem to be lower, it is likely you will experience a much milder disease. Question:   Does the WHO recommend the Covid vaccine for children? Answer:   The WHO states that since they tend to experience mild disease symptoms compared to adults, they aren't in urgent need for vaccinations unless they have a pre-existing condition. Instead, vaccines should be prioritized to those with conditions, health care workers, and older individuals. Question:   When do you get the second Covid vaccine? Answer:  The federal government's expert vaccine advisory panel currently recommends that the Pfizer vaccine is given three weeks apart, while people who've had their AstraZeneca jab are advised to wait 12 weeks before getting their second dose. Question:  Will I te