Covid-19 testing not necessary for all

In the past couple of weeks, we witnessed thousands of people lining up to get tested in front of different facilities across the country with faces full of disappointment, fear, and exhaustion. 

The question should be: Why do they need to be tested without severe breathing problems?  

It should be public knowledge by now that the country cannot meet the demand for tests. Therefore, people need to be aware that they should treat the virus at home as much as possible, rather than making a long journey to a testing facility, waiting in line, and wasting the energy required to fight the virus.

No specific medicine has been discovered yet to fight Covid-19. Therefore, if a person has enough energy to stand in queue for hours, that energy should rather be used to fight the virus in home-quarantine with proper rest, hydration, and fever medication.  

Also, going to a hospital and standing in line will further increase the possibility of being exposed to the virus.  

Most people with Covid-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. So, get rest, stay hydrated, and take over-the-counter medicines such as Paracetamol, Napa etc., to help you feel better. Most importantly, remember not to let your temperature rise. 

Go to a hospital only if you are having trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, are unable to wake up or stay awake, and have bluish lips or face. However, these are not all symptoms of the disease, so please call your medical service provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

Many people have recently said they want their employees to be tested for coronavirus upon return to work after Eid. But testing is not necessary, as the employees can quarantine themselves at home for 14 days to determine if they are infected or not.

This will, of course, require a certain amount of ethical responsibility from the employee. Perhaps, with innovative enforcement measures, employees may be persuaded to disclose honest health and travel information.  

In conclusion, in a country like Bangladesh, where resources are limited, we must find innovative measures to reduce the exposure and spread preventive awareness among the general public.