Fear of 'mass depression'

Epidemics, natural disasters come and go from time to time. The effect of the mind, the brain lasts a long time. This should be taken care of in time.

Various studies claim that ‘one in three people in the world will be mentally ill after 2030’. The reason for the global terror of Kovid-19.

"It's hard to say how traumatic the Covid-19 epidemic can be," says Yuval Nerai, a professor of psychology at Columbia University in the United States. But it will last longer than any previous epidemic. '

The epidemic does not stress an individual or a family, it affects the society and the nation. Kovid-19 has caused a stir all over the world. Experts have warned that even after the technical control or termination of Covid-19, its injuries could endanger the human race in the long run. And, that would be more of a mental distraction than a financial and physical one.

The virus, which was seen in Wuhan, China in late December, is now spreading around the world. After China, Italy, and now the United States is at the center of the crisis.

As of Friday, the virus had killed more than 53,200 people. 1 million 15 thousand people are infected. The omnipotent US President Donald Trump has said that it would be an "achievement" if the death toll in the US could be reduced to one million.

The majority of countries are in limbo. A quarter of the world's population is confined to their homes. Hotels, airports, colleges, and all kinds of workplaces are closed. The United Nations has called Corona the worst crisis since World War II. The world has rarely faced such a collective shock before.

After Chait, Nepal's public life also became chaotic. The lockdown that started on December 11 has been extended till December 10. Thank you! So far, the infection has not become an epidemic in our country.

Even so, the common man has not been able to get rid of the anxiety of what will happen next. Psychoanalyst Basu Acharya says, ‘We now have less psychological stress caused by viruses than in other countries. But if we are not careful, it can hurt for a long time. '

According to Acharya, the mental disorder that appears in the common man after an epidemic is called traumatic stress disorder in the language of psychology. Disasters that you have never experienced, that you have never imagined, make people restless. Anxiety and nervousness occur. I feel sad and unhappy. Uncomfortable and restless. "After the earthquake, we had such a disorder," said Acharya. "Most of the people who come to me for counseling say that the problem started after the earthquake."

It is difficult to say how painful the Covid-19 epidemic is mental. But it will last longer than any previous epidemic. - Yuval Nerai, Professor, Columbia University

After the 2003 SARS attack in China, a large community was suddenly depressed. The 9/11 terrorist attacks created a similar situation in the United States. But Professor Nerai does not want to compare it with the events of September 11 and the post-World War II depression. He sees the current situation as even direr. "At that time, there was only terror within a certain geography," Nerai told CNBC. There is no limit now. '

So far, the number of Kovid-19 infected people in Nepal is low. But people are still terrified. Psychological deviations have begun to spread on social media. What a mess it must have been! There are no positive signs that the virus will be eradicated. Instead of trying to recover, we wallow in our sadness and thus, experience more failure.

Probably a factor as to why they're doing so poorly. Yoga and naturopathy specialist Dr. Hari Prasad Pokharel expresses concern that the problem of the body is shifting towards the mind. ‘Covid-19 can cause a variety of mental stressors. We have to be ready to fight it now, 'he said.

We believed that foreign countries had helped us and would do so even if the earthquake-damaged our property. We receive remittances from almost every household, the earthquake did not affect it, but Kovid-19 may close or affect that road. It takes some time for the domestic economic business to deteriorate. The tourism sector takes a long time. It is this tension that has taken root in our minds.

"We are being plagued by fabricated and negative fears rather than realistic ones. Its source is social media, 'said psychoanalyst Acharya.' People are panicking while following unnecessary and exaggerated information about Covid-19. You have to balance that yourself. '

According to him, even after the end of Kovid-19, most people are not afraid of the virus coming back, I think. Feeling we have 'Run out of gas' emotionally. Feeling we have 'Run out of gas' emotionally. Feeling we have 'Run out of gas' emotionally. I feel like crying. The work wakes up. Acharya says, ‘But the person himself may not know that he has a problem. I have met many such people after the earthquake. I don't know why I was sad. '

'Useless social media to relieve stress'

Depression can be avoided if psychotherapy, family love, social support, and the victim's intellect can be refined. Even if you do not do this, you should take medicine.

According to experts, this treatment is based on family love. Like now when you are with your family in lockdown, you should talk to each other as much as possible. The behavior of yourself and your family members should be monitored. It may flow in the mind, it should be made an environment to release. Those who do not want to be open should be made emotionally comfortable. Must be engrossed in creative work. Tolerance must be developed. According to psychoanalyst Acharya, it is very effective if only one member of the family takes care of this and gives support/counseling to others accordingly. The pain subsides at home.

"Now let's have fun at home, let's increase family love. Let's have a lot of fun at this time so that we can develop the courage to resist collectively no matter what happens tomorrow. '

After family, social intimacy develops a person's self-confidence, but in our case, Acharya claims that society has a hand in increasing mental anguish. He says, ‘After seeing a slight change in behavior, others call him crazy. Makes a laughing stock. This tendency puts the victim in the throes of further pain and then comes the guardianship of the state.

Psychologists say that when I believe that the state will take care of me when there is a crisis, there will be less mental distractions. In Nepal, the government has announced relief for daily wage workers, special care for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and provision of wages by employers for formal sector workers.

Voices are being raised that government relief is positive but inadequate. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced an emergency economic package of two trillion dollars. The relief program is expected to enable Americans to cope with the economic crisis.

Psychiatric counseling has started in New York without control of Covid-19. Governor Andrew Cuomo has appointed 6,000 employees. They are working 24 hours a day for free psychiatric treatment.

Due to this epidemic, those who will lose their jobs, those who will lose relatives, those who will 'recover' after the infection, they become mentally weak.

Depression or other problems are more likely to be exacerbated. Elena Newman, a mental health researcher who has been affected by the outbreak, says:

For now, avoiding Kovid-19 is all that matters. Different energy can come after facing the crisis. New possibilities of profession/business can be born. Acharya suggests, ‘Now let’s enjoy sitting at home, increasing family love. Let's have a lot of fun at this time so that we can develop the courage to resist collectively no matter what happens tomorrow. '

Dexamethasone: Is there a cure for the coronavirus?

The Coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China, has infected more than 8.1 million people worldwide and caused more than 440,000 deaths. COVID 19, which has affected the whole world, has infected more than 6,000 people in Nepal and 20 people have died. Of course, the good news is that Corona's fears are weakened by the long-term downturn and the economic problems she has caused, or she is forced to return to work in the crisis.

News of the vaccination and treatment of COVID 19 has raised hopes from time to time. The virus, which was discovered in December 2019, has managed to embarrass the world in a short period. Not many great studies and researches have been done in this short period. But many studies are ongoing. Tenofovir used for HIV / AIDS and hydroxychloroquine used for malaria were very popular. US President Donald Trump also made public the use of hydroxychloroquine, which has since been discontinued in the United States because of its negative effects. Recently, there have been reports of permethrin and now dexamethasone being effective.

The medicine should not be used, the immune system should be increased. So it is not uncommon to hear about the need to eat vitamin C, garlic, ginger, and yoga, and exercise. To prevent this, news of vaccine production and its study is also coming. It has also been reported that some vaccines are being studied and produced simultaneously.

Not only modern medical science but also homeopathic and ayurvedic treatment methods have explored various treatments. No matter how many experts claim to be completely cured, the world has not readily accepted it. Because the world seeks the results of the study. Now a good result has come. Probably the most infected participant in the study for COVID 19, this study showed that dexamethasone, a type of steroid available in our Nepali pharmaceutical market, was a great success.

Experts in the UK say that dexamethasone, a cheap drug available worldwide, has helped prevent serious corona infections. They say that even small doses of dexamethasone steroid can prevent serious infections. Research claims that the death rate of patients placed on ventilators is one-third and that one in five patients given oxygen is protected. Researchers at the University of Oxford administered dexamethasone to 2,000 hospitalized patients, comparing more than 4,000 patients who had not used the drug, the BBC reported. The study found that ventilator mortality rates dropped from 40 percent to 28 percent.

According to lead researcher Professor Peter Horby, it is the only drug that reduces the risk of death from infection. It is also a great success and achievement in corona treatment. However, Professor Horby has made it clear that the drug is of no benefit to the general population and is important for those with respiratory problems.

Although there has been an increase in the number of COVID 19 infections in recent times, there has been a significant reduction in the complexity of those infected. There has also been a reduction in deaths due to COVID 19 infections. Although the number of infected people is high in India, Russia, and Nepal, the death rate due to the infection is lower than in Europe and the United States. In this case, the efficacy of dexamethasone produced in our country will definitely give positive results.

Dexamethasone is a steroid that reduces inflammation caused by cavities and other causes, especially those of the pharynx and trachea, so it only benefits those with respiratory problems. It is not uncommon for the general public to avoid rage by eating this, so social distance, proper use of masks, and handwashing habits should not be forgotten to avoid COVID 19.

Why are men more prone to COVID infections?

Epidemic

Infection with the Noble Coronavirus affects people of all genders and age groups. But in the last six months, the number of people infected with the virus worldwide has shown that men are most at risk. About 7.5 million people have been infected with the coronavirus since December 2019. Of these, 3.9 million have recovered after treatment and four million have lost their lives. Of those infected, 82 percent are men and only 18 percent are women.

Although the statistics of different countries have been analyzed differently, men are more infected in each country. About 70.3 percent of those infected in Chinese hospitals are men. In the United States, 60.7 percent of infected people admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in New York City are men, and 67 percent of those who die are men. Eighty-two percent of those admitted to the intensive care unit in Lombardy, Italy, were men. Similarly, 69 percent of infected men in the UK and 79 percent in Spain. At the time of writing, 4,364 cases of infection have been confirmed in Nepal, of which 4,055 (92.91 percent) are men. Of those infected, 11.95 percent are men. 26.95 percent of the infected are women are free of infection. The proportion of infected men and women is 70-30. That is, men are twice as likely to be infected as women.

Of course, in Nepal, men spend more time out of the house than women, go abroad for employment, drink more alcohol, and smoke, so they may have more infections. However, as more men than women are infected worldwide, the search for biological causes has begun. This article will discuss the same biological causes.

The determination of whether a person is born a boy or a girl is made in the first stage of fetal development in the mother's womb. In the process of reproduction, the fetus is formed by the union of the sex chromosomes of the mother and father. The father has X and Y sex chromosomes, while the mother has both X chromosomes. If the father's Y and mother's X chromosomes match, a son is born. If the X chromosomes of both father and mother combine to form an embryo, a daughter is born. Therefore, the role of the chromosome of the father, not the mother, plays a role in determining the sex of the child born.

Professor of Immunology at the University of Oxford, Dr. According to Philip Goulder, the difference between men's and women's ability to fight disease begins here.

It is the job of the immune system to detect and produce antibodies that are needed to detect and resist any foreign harmful bacteria. The noble coronavirus is encoded in a recognizable protein X chromosome. But X chromosomes are two in females and only one in males. Therefore, the ability to prevent corona infection or the resistance expressed by the protein is automatically reduced by 50 percent in men. Dr. Philip Goulder believes that women have a greater ability to fight not only coronavirus but all diseases than men.

Another factor that differentiates men and women from coronavirus infection is the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-2) is a type of enzyme present in the human body. Enzymes are catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in the body. ACE-2 is a central component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which controls blood pressure, heals wounds, and regulates fluids in the body. This enzyme, discovered by Leonard Skags in 1956, indirectly increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. Therefore, ACE-2 inhibitors are used in the treatment of most heart diseases.

When the coronavirus infects humans, the virus's protein attaches to the same ACE-2 enzyme and travels to cells in various parts of the body. As a result, it opens the door to infection in the lungs while taking oxygen through the blood and blood vessels. According to an article published in the European Heart Journal, ACE-2 is more common in men than in women. It occurs in large quantities in the lungs, heart, and testicles of men. Because ACE-2 occurs in the testicles, there are more males than females in the testicles. Iziah Sama explains. Similarly, published in the ‘Journal of Virology’. According to Hong Peng Xia's article, ACE-2 has the appearance of being attached to a thorn-shaped protein spike on the surface of the current Nobel coronavirus. Thus, the physical constitution of men has increased the risk of corona infection in men than in women.

According to a recent article in Science News, coronavirus infections in men have been linked to another factor. According to the article, androgen hormones also play an important role in increasing the risk of infection. The androgen hormone helps men to produce the hormone testosterone and make sperm. The same hormone also helps the coronavirus to enter the cell. Men cannot be fertile without the hormone testosterone. Infections in China, Spain, Italy, and the United States have been linked to androgen hormones and coronavirus infections.

The androgenic hormone regulates the transmembrane protease serine 2 enzyme in the male prostate gland. The prostate gland helps men to urinate and keep sperm alive. Therefore, transmembrane protease serine 2 enzyme is produced more in men. ‘Cell Journal’ According to Marcus Hoffmann, published in, coronavirus infection also depends on the surface membrane of the transmembrane protease serine 2 enzyme. The membrane of this enzyme combines the thorny proteins of the virus with the DNA in human cells. Men also have an increased risk of coronavirus infection due to this enzyme.

Italian molecular cancer specialist Dr. According to Andre Alimonti, some of the men who used androgen in some of the experiments there did not have to go to the hospital because of Kovid-19. Thus, the transmembrane protease serine 2 enzyme produced in men during prostate operation and regulation has increased the risk of corona infection in men.

The fact is that men are more at risk of coronavirus infection than women, not only for socio-economic reasons but also for biological reasons.

(Koju, who has a doctorate in zoology, is the head of the Faculty of Natural Resource Management under the Center for Post-Graduate Studies, Nepal Engineering College, Pokhara University.)

Cyber ​​Crime: Targeting Women and Children

A notice was posted on the Facebook page of an organization called 'Political Literacy for Women' on 27 April. In which it was written, the ‘Nepali baby group has been banned by Reddit and the cyber bureau has also stated that it is being investigated. We are watching the government. Let's see who wins, whether it is patriarchy or justice. 'During the lockdown, the' Nepali Babies' group was formed on social media Reddit and the photos of Nepali girls were misused. The victim girls found out that their photos were being misused without permission. He then lodged a complaint with the Nepal Police Cyber ​​Bureau. Police removed the objectionable comments in coordination with Reddit. However, the police are still investigating who misused the personal image of the public.

Some time ago, a fake Facebook account was opened in the name of Rama (name changed). The profile and cover photo of the account was from Ramakai, which was taken from her real account. The messenger of the account started sending nude photos to her relatives showing the back of the unidentified woman's body. Rama became anxious when she started sharing nude photos from her name account. Eventually, she appealed to the cyber bureau. Police arrested a person who opened a fake account in his name and filed a case under the Electronic Transactions Act. After the case, the man was released on Rs 50,000 bail.

These are just two examples of cyberspace crimes committed during the lockdown. To stop the possible spread of the Kovid-19 epidemic which is spreading globally, Nepal has been shutting down since 11 April 2076. During the lockdown, there was a massive decline in economic and social activities as well as a human activity, which reduced the overall crime graph in the society. People were confined to closed rooms. However, the strange thing is that even during this period, the incidence of cybercrime through social media and the internet did not decrease at all.

According to the Nepal Police, Cyber ​​Bureau, a total of 219 applications related to cybercrime were registered across the country in March last year. Meanwhile, 232 cases of cybercrime have been registered in the month of Baishakh. Which is 13 more than Fagun. From June 1 to 9 alone, 62 applications related to cybercrime have been registered in the bureau. According to the records of the bureau, 79 applications were registered during the lockdown period from 11 to 32 April. In all, 373 cybercrime applications have been registered with the Bureau in just two months of lockdown. "Lockdown is more misused than online," says Navindra Aryal, head of the cyber bureau.

The incidents show that women are the victims of cybercrime in Nepal and then children. Bureau chief Aryal also said that women and children are being targeted more now. "Everyone has a mobile phone in their hands, there is a trend of killing, luring, taking tempting videos and making it a weapon of blackmail," she said. "Women are the biggest victims, followed by children, cybercrime."

According to the complaints received by the bureau, the most affected by cybercrime are 'underage' children and women in the age group of 20 to 40 years. In the two months since the lockdown, the bureau has received 106 complaints of cybercrime-related to women and 18 complaints related to children. Of those who lodged complaints in March, 125 were women and 88 were men. Some women keep such incidents secret out of fear. Looking at it this way, it can be estimated that more women and children are victims of cybercrime.

Why are more women being targeted in cyberspace? 

Prakriti Bhattarai Basnet, head of Political Literacy for Women, a hashtag #notanymore campaign against cyberbullying against women, says the main reason is patriarchal culture. "Women don't have the habit of talking about cybercrime. We don't respond to any harassment in cyberspace," she says. "We keep quiet about blackmailing men because of our identities." More women are being targeted by cybercriminals as they are passive in the name of saving their identities. Our silence has only increased the morale of the criminals and we are becoming more and more victims. ' This campaign emphasizes three main points. The first is to raise awareness on how to use social media properly, the second is to collect stories about the crimes being committed against women in cyberspace and the third is to provide legal advice to the victims. Basnet says that the campaign is working on the concept of 'Let's not block, let's teach a lesson' keeping in mind that many women block themselves when they are harassed in cyberspace.

Advocate Neema Giri says that women are also victims of cybercrime due to financial dependence and lack of adequate information about the internet. ‘They are also trapped by the lack of information about the internet and social media. We don't care if it can be hacked or public, 'she says.' Everything seems to be open on social media. Boyfriend, internet with a partner, and Sami also remind many who talk openly through social media. 'She also claims that women are victims of cybercrime because of their financial dependence on men.

The nature of cybercrime also appears to be largely related to sexual violence. "Cybercrime such as photo multinational, revenge porn, ransomware attack, defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, harassment, an impostor is seen in Nepal," says Aryal. Nature agrees. The stories collected by the campaign run by his organization show the same. "Most of the problems of 15-16-year-olds posting photos on porn sites, creating fake accounts, taking photos and photoshops are more prevalent," says Prakriti. She said that she was becoming a perpetrator or victim of cybercrime without knowing it.

Both the victim and the perpetrator of an incident in Kavre were minors. The perpetrator raped the victim and took video from the victim's mobile phone. The video spread through the Internet as a friend and reached porn sites. The victim was prosecuted under the Electronic Transactions Act. He is now in a juvenile home.

A recent study of children between the ages of 13 and 18 found that 49 percent were unaware of the dangers of using social media and the Internet. According to a survey conducted by an organization called EPACT, 56.6 percent of teens were unaware of cyber law and 9.3 percent shared passwords with friends. The study found that 8.7 percent of people send hurtful messages to get revenge out of anger. It also showed that children have a higher risk of cybercrime. Events are showing the same thing. "Because children are curious, cybercrime is also caused by those who misuse it," adds Neema.

In the cases provided to the weekly by the cyber bureau, the character was killed by posting obscene photos taken during a previous relationship by making fake IDs, forcing people to call him in his room to pass the exam, blackmailing him through social media, sending half-naked photos from fake Facebook IDs and emojis. There are more incidents of sending fake messages and pornographic messages with fake IDs, sending sexually explicit messages and nude photos to women. In some cases, intimate videos and photos taken when the relationship was good to have become a weapon of 'blackmailing' after the relationship have deteriorated. Some young women are victims of cybercrime due to financial dependence.

Women and children also seem to be victims of cybercrime, such as making friends with strangers on social media, sharing important personal information on the Internet and the virtual world, sharing photos and videos and passwords with strangers, intimate conversations in chats, and sharing sensitive scenes in video calls. There are also complaints in the cyber bureau that some people add obscene material to their heads out of momentary impulse. Experts stress the need to strengthen one's own security to prevent cybercrime.

The President of the Center for Cyber ​​Security Research and Innovation (CSRI), P.D. Suvarna Shakya says that the process of the security system should be completed and attention should be paid to the copyright issue. "People should use security options on social media properly, and passwords should be strengthened," he says. "Besides, they should focus on sharing only what is necessary, not making everything public, and claiming copyright." According to him, using one's social media or internet content internationally. Approval must be obtained before doing so, otherwise, copyright may be noted. He said that there are also acts like spoiling the photo and attaching it to another photo, adding that those who do such work can be brought under the ambit of legal action.

However, due to the cumbersome legal process and the limited space available to victims, many cases related to cybercrime remain secret before reaching the legal process. There are also loopholes in the management and research of cyber law in Nepal. Due to which the perpetrators of cyberspace do not come under the purview of law easily. Therefore, Shakya emphasizes the need to strengthen cybersecurity laws. Advocate Giri also insists that the legal provisions related to cybercrime are not adequate. "Cybercrime laws are not enough," she says. "Another problem is the limitations." For example, the case is heard only in the Kathmandu District Court. To lodge a complaint, one has to go to the Crime Branch, Teku, or the Central Cyber ​​Bureau, Bhotahiti. There is no place to go elsewhere. Even if the cybercrime is committed in Jumla, people are forced to come to Kathmandu. ' As it is a crime based on technology, its investigation is not easy. Facebook, Instagram police are also facing problems in the investigation as there is no support office of social networks like Ram, Gmail, Twitter, Emo, WhatsApp in Nepal.

The incidence of cybercrime is higher than in other cybercrime cases. That also has the most cases on Facebook. Of the 219 cybercrime complaints received by the bureau last February, 204 were related to Facebook, 5 to Instagram, 2/2 to emojis and YouTube, 1/1 to Viber, and WhatsApp and 3 to other social sites. Similarly, a bureau hacking complaint was lodged with the bureau in the same month.

These are the trends of cybercrime

Photo Molestation: Putting a person's face in a variety of nude photos on the Internet

Revenge Porn: Publishing pornographic photos and videos on the Internet

Ransomware Attack: Taking all the information under control and demanding ransom

Impostor: Using another person's name and photo on social media, opening a profile page to insult and hurt

Brute Force Attack: Attack in various ways for hacking

Defamation: To tarnish the reputation of a person or company with a good reputation

Cyber ​​Stalking: Bullying using various tools and means

Cyber ​​Bullying: Harassment and harassment using various tools and means

Apart from that, cyber crimes like hacking, unauthorized access, threatening through SMS on mobile, financial crime, fraud through online are seen in Nepal.

Source: Cyber ​​Bureau