The preventive and curative therapies are carefully combined to offset these symptoms. The cheapest potent therapy is vitamin D, freely obtainable from exposure to the sun for at least 20 minutes in the morning hours (from 8am to 10am) and again in the evening from (3pm) daily.
Vitamin D is an immune-modulator, which helps in ‘fighting fire’ (mitigating the body’s allergic reactions to Covid-19).
It is also an anti-stress hormone with potent anti-thrombotic (prevents blood clotting) and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, instead of emphasizing lockdown, people should be spending time out in the open sunshine.
Nutritionally, garlic, onion, cinnamon, hot pepper, etc., are proven blood thinners and, therefore, help offset the devastating effect of Covid-19-induced blood clots. Turmeric, omega 3 oils (in fish), cod liver oil, etc., are among foods with proven anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin C is an anti-viral hormone which is potent against all viruses including flu viruses like Covid-19. This vitamin is abundant in all sour fruits including lemon, oranges, tamarind, tangerine, mango, etc. Liposomal and lipospheric forms of vitamin C are also readily accessible in pharmacies.
An intake of 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams three times a day is recommended. Besides being an immune booster, Vitamin A is important in the formation of cytokeratins, which increase the stability and rigidity of cells crucial in preventing viruses from entering into the cells.
This vitamin is abundant in dark green vegetables including black night shade (Solanum incanum) popularly known as nakati. It is also abundant in red, yellow and purple-fleshed fruits including mangoes, pawpaws, pineapples, jackfruit, tomatoes, pumpkins, etc.
Medically (for those already infected), zinc is well known to block the replication of viruses when present in cells and a daily intake of 50 milligrams is advisable. Zinc is abundant in foods like garlic, onions and turmeric.
When the above combination of therapies is coupled with consumption/drinking of hot foods, spiritual therapy and other preventive measures as well as observing personal hygiene, nobody should fall sick.
Unfortunately, these potent therapies are being ruthlessly fought for political, economic and outright sinister motives by those who think they wield all the power that the world has afforded them!
Giregon Olupot,
Makerere University.
Opposition should get in line
One of the key factors that have kept President Yoweri Museveni plus the NRM in power for all that long period of time is the internal and external organization of their party. And more so the efforts they put in during that desperate period when the elections are getting closer.
It’s to my surprise that we are seeing figures such as Mayor Erias Lukwago leave the Democratic Party and join the Forum For Democratic Change (FDC).
In fact for now it’s the opposition giving more room to the NRM to continue ruling our country because they leave us no choice apart from siding with it.
With all the targets our country is chasing and more so the middle-income status, I don’t see the opposition spearheading all these policies that we yearn for.
Chairman Norbert Mao of the DP and his cabinet is happy that some of the members left the party and yet those members have been of great value to the party.
Instead of focusing on the concerns as to why party members are leaving, Mao is jubilating! If change in governance is expected in our country, then the opposition has to do better.
Kevin Seguya,
kelvinsegz@gmail.com
Covid-19 a blessing to raising children
Covid-19 has brought a plethora of challenges to many families. For some to keep afloat economic-wise, they are deploying means like engaging their children in works that are ideally hazardous to their well-being.
This brings me to that vital May 2018 government document from the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) – the Uganda National Parenting Guidelines (UNPG). One of the key words in the document is that of hazardous work. It describes this as work which, by its nature or circumstances, is likely to harm the health, safety or moral of children.
For emphasis, Uganda’s 1995 Constitution places the threshold of a child at 18 years. The English say that to every dark cloud there is silver lining.
Thus not all should be gloom and doom because of Covid-19. Prior to Covid-19 hitting the world, parents and children were living busy lives.
Due to Covid-19 guidelines that were put in place to contain the spread of the virus that saw schools closed, this is the ideal time to put into practice many of the principles that are enumerated in the UNPG.
The UNPG advises parents to, among others things, instill cultural and religious values, build children’s self-esteem and confidence, provide for the child’s needs, monitor and keep in close touch with the child, promote right to play and spend quality time with the child. Perhaps Covid-19 is a blessing in disguise to the implementation of UNGP.
Kenedy Musekura,
kennedyndeze@yahoo.com
People Power dilemma
Walking all over Lubaga division, most especially in the Lubaga South constituency, one may be tempted to think that it’s only People Power that is going to field candidates in this area, once a Democratic Party (DP) stronghold.
Colour red has been painted everywhere. Posters after posters all belong to “People Power” candidates right from those aspiring to become councilors at LC-II to members of parliament.
And mark you, they have really come in big numbers. One can hardly see any poster belonging to other parties. In this though, I can see one danger for Bobi Wine’s party – it will be a tug of war for People Power to decide who to endorse to run on their ticket.
Isaac Muwanga,
imuwanga80@gmail.com
letters@observer.ug