How Plastic Is Saving Us From Coronavirus!

The material plastic though considered an environmental hazard, is contributing as a wonderful material in the form of personal protection equipment (PPE) - protecting doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, law enforcing agencies, sanitation workers and volunteers from the virus.

- Dr. Vasi Shaikh

Coronavirus outbreak is the world’s worst and most challenging crisis since Second World War with no modern parallels. The global reach of the coronavirus, and the societal and economic shutdowns, has touched everyone and everywhere. People are forced to stay away from work. The economic hit could be enormous, affecting every sector for a long time. The crisis, once expected to last for a month or two, is here to stay for an extended period. This pandemic is a test of our resolve, solidarity and trust in science.

With no specific vaccines or treatments available, the best way to prevent or slow down the transmission is protecting yourself and others from infection. Even a moderate outbreak will require huge number of isolation wards, hospital beds, ventilators, medical equipment, accessories and testing kits than the country has. This will create a panic situation and impose an enormous pressure on healthcare systems. The world’s infected population has crossed three million mark and over two hundred thousand deaths have already occurred.

Amidst this havoc, one material which is contributing silently and rising against the pandemic is “Plastic.” Yes, the material plastic though considered an environmental hazard, is contributing as a wonderful material in the form of personal protection equipment (PPE) - protecting doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, law enforcing agencies, sanitation workers and volunteers from the virus.