The COVID-19 has taken a toll on everyone’s life across the globe. This deadly viral disease initially named ‘coronavirus’ started spreading during December of 2019. It is June of 2020 and the virus does not seem to end. There are no drugs and vaccines developed for the disease as for now, which makes it more deadly. It has spread rapidly across every corner of the globe and has turned the world upside down.
Almost every country had to undergo a strict shutdown and revise several healthcare guidelines. The positive cases are on the rise and so is the mortality rate. Covid-19 has affected millions of lives and killed millions across the world. It has forced everyone to practice social distancing, change their lifestyles, isolate themselves, and take necessary precautions.
Covid-19 is one of the highly contagious diseases that spread by droplet nuclei through touch, cough, sneeze, and sharing things. It is said to affect the lungs and severe complications lead to paralysis, coma, or even death. Its rapid spread is tough to contain and therefore, is considered to be one of the deadliest pandemics killing at least a million people.
The only operating centers are the diagnostic centers, hospitals, and clinics. The healthcare workers, doctors, and other frontline workers are highly exposed to the virus yet they continue treating and diagnosing patients. The pandemic has a dangerous impact on waste disposal.
If the COVID-19 waste is not disposed of properly, it will not only cause severe harm to the sanitation workers but also lead to rapid virus multiplication. Several countries have revised their waste disposal policies with regard to COVID-19 and have opted for better solutions.
Improper or careless waste disposal will have numerous negative impacts on the environment. The daily wastes are filled with other microorganisms, viruses, and even infected material which may lead to quick multiplication of the virus. It will affect the sanitation workers, their surroundings, and cause the virus to spread immeasurably within the poor.
There are different guidelines issued by numerous countries with regard to normal waste disposal and biomedical waste of COVID-19. Biomedical waste has to be sanitized thoroughly before disposing of it and they should be labeled differently. The biomedical waste might possibly undergo incineration and complete disposal for preventing the further spread. The biomedical waste will contain human tissues, swabs, infected tissues, blood, and similar medical wastes of the patient.
There is almost 600 kg of biomedical waste disposal currently. The amount of biomedical waste that is being collected is unbound and makes it difficult for the sanitation workers to handle all of it by themselves. The waste disposal issue has to be taken seriously and more measures have to be taken considering the safety of citizens.
Normal wastes of COVID-19 also contain disposable masks, gloves, and several other items that might be infected by the virus. Therefore, it is important to take the issue of waste disposal seriously.
As citizens, we must separate the wastes of COVID-19 separately and make it easier for sanitation workers. Do not mix the masks and gloves along with the other waste.
There can be serious negative impacts of improper waste disposal, especially in a pandemic. Therefore, recognize the harm and contribute as much as you can towards the cause as an individual.
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