There is no second wave of COVID-19 in Azerbaijan, but there is a continuation of the pandemic

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- Dr. Aydin, what is the reason for the recent wide distribution spread of the COVID-19 virus in the world and in Azerbaijan?

- Indeed, recently there have been anti-records in the world regarding the infection with this virus. Over the past day, we have seen an increase in the number of infections compared to individual months. The increase in the number of infections is unequivocally due to the fact that people in the world and in Azerbaijan do not wear masks properly, sometimes do not use them at all, do not keep social distance, and do not follow the rules of hygiene. If everyone in the world and in Azerbaijan had followed these rules when the coronavirus first began to spread, there would not have been so many infections. On the other hand, since it is autumn now, there is an activation of viruses that cause respiratory diseases. The increase in infections is also related to the season. Because there was a lot of sun in the summer months and the ultraviolet rays in the sun's rays had the ability to kill coronaviruses and other viruses and bacteria, it had a small effect on the number of infections in those months.

- When this disease started, there were thoughts that there would be a second wave. Can we say now that the second wave has already begun?

- This is not the second wave but a continuation of the first wave in Azerbaijan. We could call it the second wave if there was no change in quarantine regimes. That is, if the quarantine regime remained unchanged and the number of infected people decreased and then increased, it would be called the second wave. But the main reason for the decline in the summer was strict quarantine regimes. However, the transition from strict quarantine regimes to soft quarantine regimes has increased the number of re-infections. This increase is due to changes in the quarantine regime. On the other hand, the representation of waves in numbers is, in fact, a conventional concept. Most likely, there will be no second wave of this disease. There is already good news about vaccines. Several well-established vaccines have already shown accurate results. Let's hope that we will say goodbye to this disease in the next 2-3 months.

-Everyone is used to the situation. There was more panic when the disease started. Now the disease is growing, and at the same time, life goes on. That is, the disease is becoming common. Did it have to be this way? Why is nothing being done to prevent it? Why is there no reliable vaccine?

-I think differently. On the contrary, I would say that people now have more panic than in the early stages of the disease. Because now the number of aggravated patients is high, the number of deaths has increased. And almost everyone's relatives, family members, and acquaintances have contracted the disease, got worse, and died of the disease. So now there is more panic. Now more people want inpatient treatment in hospitals. But in the past, when the disease was just beginning, most patients refused when inpatient treatment was offered in hospitals. As for the vaccines, the vaccines that we have approved have already been tested on volunteers and have given positive results. Their use is expected to have a 90-95 percent effect.

When it comes to measures, certain measures are taken. But, of course, the burden of the health system is high. Over the years, we have not seen such a burden on the health system in the world and in Azerbaijan. Today, there is an objective reason for the lack of medical personnel and equipment, as well as medicines. Because there are too many patients. But we have some suggestions for a more effective fight against the disease. For example, on television and radio, on social media, it is possible to arrange a live consultation with doctors, who work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and can communicate with people in a comfortable way. Because after having hundreds of thousands of infected people, it is impossible to find enough doctors in any country. Even today, many patients cannot find a doctor. For this reason, he/she uses the prescription of his/her neighbor, who has recovered from the disease, or goes to the nurse. People get advice from each other. This can lead to aggravations. But as I said, the regular organization of 24-hour live medical consultations on television and radio, on social media, can educate people. Of course, it is necessary to appreciate the work of doctors here. It can be announced according to what complaints, analyzes, results of instrumental examinations, what medicines patients should take, how they should act. Because patients do not know what to do. They use very different recipes. But if this proposal is realized, the criteria will be determined. It is also necessary to establish contact between patients and doctors on duty 24 hours a day in all clinics and medical institutions. If these proposals come true, it will have a great effect. We can significantly prevent the progression of the disease, and in this way, we can free people from panic. There is a shortage of doctors. Therefore, patients use different tools. Currently, there is a shortage of medicines in pharmacies. It is necessary to take measures to solve this problem. Pharmacies need to be provided with medicines so that people receiving treatment at home can get them. On the other hand, there are artificial price increases. People have to buy these medicines at very high prices in pharmacies or intermediaries. This must be prevented so that there is no artificial price increase and people's budgets are enough to buy these medicines. In addition, people sometimes use a mask for 3-5 days. Reducing the cost of masks or distributing free masks can be effective.

- The situation in Azerbaijan is not good either. But it seems that the government does not pay attention to this issue as before. Just daily statistics and occasional briefings. What steps do you think the government should take to prevent the disease?

- Since I am a doctor, I can not evaluate the activities of the government. But I can talk about the activities of medical structures. But I think that from the first days, at the highest state level, the head of state has allocated enough funds. Both material and moral support was given. Billions have been allocated for the treatment of COVID-19 disease. However, the organization of high-level work in the health and medical structures was not so effective. I think the measures taken are not enough. True, there are objective reasons for this. As I said, there are many patients. There is a shortage of health care facilities around the world. Also in Azerbaijan. But this work could be better organized in Azerbaijan.

- What do you mean by “could be better organized”? And what to do to protect against the disease, in addition to washing your hands often, wearing a mask, keeping a social distance? What steps can people take to protect themselves, especially those at risk?

-It would be possible to buy medicines with the funds allocated by the state and provide pharmacies so that there is no shortage of medicines in pharmacies today. Doctors who fight COVID-19 use and know the tools used around the world. But most doctors do not know the tactics of treatment. They prescribe treatments according to their qualifications and profiles. COVID-19 is a disease. But if we look at the treatments against it, we see that hundreds of different prescriptions are written. It is true that patients have individual characteristics. Not everyone has standard treatment. But it should not be so different. Due to their unawareness in this area, doctors prescribe treatments according to their profiles. But, as I said above, if this work is organized on television, other doctors can also be instructed. It is also difficult to physically examine patients individually.

A person without a complaint or illness should not take any medication. I mean vitamins or other medicines. There is no such thing in the world health system that I will take these medicines and strengthen my immunity. If a person has a complaint, it should be analyzed and medication should be prescribed according to his indications. For example, many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency in the fall. But even for this, we need to analyze. According to the results of the analysis, if vitamin D is less than normal, then he/she can take this vitamin. However, if a person takes vitamin D without analysis and this vitamin is normal in his/her body, he/she may develop kidney stones. Vitamins are substances that, both their excess and deficiency, cause problems in the human body. People at risk - for example, people with diabetes, hypertension, grade 3 obesity, vasculitis, endarteritis, in short, people with vascular pathology are at risk. However, it is still wrong for anyone to take any prophylactic medication. You just need to eat normally. If a person eats normally, he/she receives all the necessary substances. People at risk should receive appropriate treatment for their illness and control it. People at risk should be treated immediately if they become infected with the virus. Because their situations are more likely to aggravate.