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B/N - 992 Let's Rise up defeating Covid 19


Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will be issued four new postage stamps in the denomination of Rs. 15.00 each and a souvenir sheet, under the theme of "Let's Rise up defeating Covid 19" on 9th of October 2020.

The world was first made aware of COVID-19 in December 2019. The first cases were reported from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. There is belief that the virus spread first from a wet meat market in Wuhan. Soon many parts of the Hubei province started reporting COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus strains. The virus then spread to Europe where it spread rapidly, causing great havoc in countries like Italy, Spain, France, etc.

The virus also spread to the Americas with Brazil and the United States of America reporting significant number of cases. As of November 2020, there were more than 13,400,000 confirmed cases and 267,000 COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S., representing nearly one-fifth of the world's known COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the most cases and deaths of any country. Brazil has the third-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world behind India and the United States. Meanwhile our neighbor India also reported millions of cases and over 130, 000 dead by October 2020.

The first COVID-19 case was reported in Sri Lanka in March 2020. She was a Chinese tourist to Sri Lanka. Soon health officials found a Sri Lankan man who was affected by COVID-19 and by now a number of people from all walks of live were found to be COVID-19 positive.

By October 2020, there were over 40 million COVID-19 cases reported from across the world and over a million have succumbed to the disease. Around 25 million have recovered.

By October 2020, there are no vaccines for the virus. Those who contract the virus have to take a cocktail of prescriptions and hope their immune systems are strong enough to fight the virus. The economic impact of COVID-19 is also severe. Many industries across the world are struggling to stay afloat as demand has shrunk. A large number of factories have been shut and millions have lost their jobs. As the number of cases increase, the strain on the health sector increases and certain countries can no longer accommodate patients.

As is common with infections, there is a delay, also known as the incubation period, between the time when a person first becomes infected and the appearance of the symptoms. The median incubation period for COVID-19 is four to five days. Most symptomatic people experience symptoms within two to seven days after exposure, and almost all symptomatic people will experience one or more symptoms before day twelve.

A COVID-19 vaccine is not expected until 2021 at the earliest. Until a vaccine id developed we have to take certain preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection. These include staying at home, wearing a mask in public, avoiding crowded places, keeping distance from others, ventilating indoor spaces, washing hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

COVID-19 affects different people differently. While some people get away with very manageable mild symptoms, other show severe symptoms that cause long term damage. It is also well known that the elderly and those suffering from Non Communicable Diseases are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

Symptoms
Common / moderate symptoms

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness
  • Body aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Loss of taste or smell
    • Serious symptoms:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Loss of speech or movement

    • Preventive measures
  • Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.
  • Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
  • Limit travel as much as possible

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