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This is a different kind of email.

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I've always been fascinated by good science writing. For instance, writers like Jared Diamond and Bill Bryson who explain complex concepts using simple language and evocative metaphors.

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After more than a year of being with Covid-19, I thought there should be some good writing about this devastating disease. But I couldn't find a resource that really explained what this disease was - in layperson language. Something that even a school-going kid could understand.

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Answers to basic, fundamental questions such as:

- What is this virus?

- What does it actually do in our body?

- How and why do the stated remedies work?

And so on.

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So I've attempted writing a post on the same.

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Unsurprisingly, that project took a life of its own...becoming an e-book.

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And so, here's my attempt at explaining - really explaining - Covid-19.

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Today I'm releasing Chapter 1 of 'Covid-19. Explained.' Based on the response, I'll work on the next set of chapters!

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[Disclaimer: this is written by a CA-MBA-Consultant turned storyteller. In other words, I am no medico.

Having said that, I have run this past 4 doctors - all of whom have confirmed that the facts are accurate. But none of this should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your physician, before you take any action based on what is written here!]

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I've been fortunate to get some inputs from some generous doctors. One of them in particular who's taken time from her busy schedule to read this and point out a lot of specific corrections is Dr Karishma Kaushik of Pune. Her inputs were clear, specific and polite. For instance, here are two of her suggestions:

- "You could say viruses 'hijack' the host cells copying machines (instead of access)."

- "I would change 'loopholes' to 'gates' or 'entry points'"

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Check out her detailed website here. She has a fun video series - 'Talk to a Scientist' on YouTube. It's great fun and super informative!

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Finally, here's the PDF File of the e-book - (I find the PDF much easier to read, than on an email): Covid-19 Explainer v1.pdf​

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If you'd prefer to read it as a post, you can check out my blog here.

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I'm trying this (science writing) as an experiment. Based on your response, I will add more chapters in the coming weeks.

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Please do share your comments for corrections if any... and any good material you get!

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Thanks

Ravi

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PS: Got this email as a forward? Get your own copy here.

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Information sources

While I’ve tried to be comprehensive in my list of sources, I may have missed some out – sincere apologies for the same:

Size of the Coronavirus: The Size of SARS-CoV-2 and its Implications: https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Size-of-SARS-CoV-2-Compared-to-Other-Things.aspx​

How Covid-19 attacks your lungs: https://www.indiaspend.com/how-covid-19-affects-your-lungs/​

About the ACE2 receptor: https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-ace2-receptor-how-is-it-connected-to-coronavirus-and-why-might-it-be-key-to-treating-covid-19-the-experts-explain-136928​

Also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPSQOi2B8AU by The Print

Size of Alveolus: The Alveoli in Your Lungs: https://www.healthline.com/health/alveoli-function#:~:text=Each%20alveolus%20(singular%20of%20alveoli,that%20also%20have%20thin%20walls​

About Alveoli: https://www.healthline.com/health/alveoli-function#alveoli-health​

The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson

Cleveland Clinic: Respiratory system: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21205-respiratory-system#:~:text=The%20respiratory%20system%20is%20the,waste%20gases%20like%20carbon%20dioxide.

All about Alveolar macrophages: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.2210007#:~:text=Alveolar%20macrophages%20are%20the%20primary,and%20the%20mucociliary%20transport%20system​

How Coronavirus attacks the cell: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/science/how-coronavirus-hijacks-your-cells.html​

​https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000007046988/nursing-home-coronavirus.html?playlistId=video/coronavirus-news-update​

Bad news in a protein: Inside the Coronavirus genome: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/03/science/coronavirus-genome-bad-news-wrapped-in-protein.html#:~:text=A%20virus%20is%20%E2%80%9Csimply%20a,virus%20that%20causes%20Covid%2D19.

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