Are we geared for the upcoming challenges by nCoV-19 or is it still grim news…?

The novel Corona Virus (nCoV-2019), clouded the entire world during the year 2020; with its emergence in December 2019 from Wuhan, China. The nCoV-19 is a novel variant of the Coronavirus family, with its predecessors been implicated for the pandemics of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV); that caused flu-like condition and respiratory distress symptoms [1-6]. The viral strain also intrudes on extra-pulmonary relevance; being involved with deranging immunity as evidenced by lymphopenia and a prolonged prothrombin time; it impacts cardiomyocytes and pancreatic tissue directly [7-11]. These implications of nCoV-19 does suggest a long-term relevance of the disease profile. The emergenceof nCoV-2019 was quick to gain a pandemic status worldwide. An immense shift in the influx of the type of patients was observed, that imparted a false impression of a reduction in cardiovascular and metabolic patient presentation; formerly that had been the majority engaging the worlds’ healthcare facility. But as the world prepares itself for a possible second wave of the n-CoV-19, a prudent approach would be to remind us of the history lessons from the previous corona-led pandemic, such as MERS and SARS. This editorial will emphasize on channeling our focus to nCoV-19 implications on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The pandemics of SARS-CoV during 2002-2003 and MERS-CoV in 2012 highlight the long term relevance of coronavirus to cardiac and metabolic disease pathologies, both during and in the aftermath of these pandemics [3]. The SARS-CoV had demonstrated an increase of cardiovascular problems by 44%, hyperlipidemia by 68% and diabetes mellitus by 60%, in people who had recovered from the viral attack [12, 13]. Likewise, MERS-CoV had also embarked an increase of cardiac disorders by 30% and hypertension by 50% and diabetes mellitus by 50% [3, 8, 9]. Published research on nCoV-19 has hinted for a similar rising trend of cardiovascular and metabolic complexities. An increase in cardiac troponin level is observed with increased cases of myocarditis and heart failure [14]. A 20% increase in the incidence of diabetes and a 40 % rise in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is observed with nCoV-19 [8, 9]. Little do we comprehend that the involvement of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors could play havoc on endothelium, kidney, intestine, liver and any other organ [15]. The nCoV-19 has thrown a curveball to the realm of the worldwide health and financial setting. Even with the current economic predicament it does seems prudent to be prepared in advance for the long term consequences of this pandemic. The bigger question would be to, not just direct our efforts at countering the possible second wave of nCoV-19 but also for the possible chaos of cardiovascular and metabolic disease outfall, impacting the world health system.

Improving the Education of Children With Special Needs

This study discusses issues for improving the education of children with special needs. In the two schools where I undertook my study, I could see that teachers in both contexts worked very hard for the improvement of education of children with special needs. In the special school the teachers were trained from time to time in order to better their professional skills and to understand the children's needs. In contrast, in the regular school, although teachers were trained in various areas related to different subjects and the pedagogy of teaching learning activities, there was a strong need for teachers to be trained in the field of special education. Teachers in both contexts were working very hard in order to help the students function in society and the world. One of the major issues concerning children with special needs is how best to integrate them in regular schools with other children. Children with mild and moderate disabilities can be integrated into the regular school system if special care is taken in their initial stages of learning. Whereas children with severe disabilities cannot be so readily integrated into regular schools but can be in schools especially designed to cater to their needs. The educational practices in the regular and special schools are being developed with the needs of the child in mind. This refers to the teaching strategies, curriculum design, activities of daily living, extra curricular activities, art, and music. From time to time teachers are being given in-service training so as to better their professional skills and to help the child to do better in order to function in society. Parents in both context are playing a key role in educating their special children in the hope that there would be a bright future for them. The implications drawn from the study indicate that integration and inclusion of children with special needs are still being considered by stakeholders. In my opinion there is a hope and possibility that children with special needs in the future will work alongside all other children in regular schools.