AT my public talks, I oftentimes mention that if we keep our body healthy, we shouldn’t get infected easily.

We can do this by eating well and supplementing with micronutrients, especially vitamin C, to boost our white blood cells, which fight against pathogens. So even if infected, the symptoms would be mild and the body should be able to recover without much issue. It does not matter if the infection is dengue, malaria, SARS, JE or Covid-19. The principles of health pertaining to our immune system apply to all types of infections (the only anomaly is when a pathogenic strain had been genetically modified).

I previously argued that the new novel coronavirus strain appeared unnatural or man-made, based on the observation that it caused numerous deaths in a very short period. Under normal circumstances, the vast majority of patients infected by a natural pathogenic strain would display only mild symptoms and develop antibodies within weeks.

Furthermore, a disease-causing strain is transmitted vertically within species, meaning cow to cow, chicken to chicken, human to human. A horizontal transmission, such as from bird to swine to human, usually doesn’t happen unless the genome of the viral strain had been artificially altered. In this case, we are unable to produce antibodies quickly. Natural mutation happens only in the rarest circumstances.

This commentary on Covid-19 is not about whether it’s natural or man-made, and if it’s the latter, whether the virus had been accidentally or deliberately released. So far, the available information suggesting that the virus is an engineered strain provides an eerie puzzle. Until more verified information is available, such a suggestion remains speculative.

The WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (February 16-24, 2020) contains eye-opening information:

1. From the total infected, the fatality rate is 3.4%.

2. Pre-existing diseases among the fatalities are cardiovascular diseases (13.2%), uncontrolled diabetes (9.2%), hypertension (8.4%), chronic respiratory disease (8.0%) and cancer (7.6%).

3. Those at highest risk for severe disease and death are people aged over 60 years and those with underlying conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer. The highest mortality rate is among those over 80.

4. The younger the person, the less likely he/she would be infected and fall seriously ill.

5. Of those infected, 80% experience mild symptoms and make a recovery.

6. On average, the duration of the disease, from infection to recovery, is three to six weeks for severe and critical patients.

7. For mildly ill patients, the average recovery time is two weeks.

From this World Health Organisation (WHO) report, it is clear that the morbidity of Covid-19 is not commensurate with the perceived terror and paranoia among the masses. It has to be emphasised that most patients were mildly sick and made a recovery. Cases of asymptomatic infection have also been reported.

The report commended China’s rigorous use of non-pharmaceutical measures to contain transmissions, providing lessons for other countries. It further stated: “This rather unique and unprecedented public health response in China reversed the escalating cases in Hubei, where there has been widespread community transmission.” The global health body suggested that such an unconventional approach is warranted to save lives while vaccines are being tested, a process that takes months.

Although not mentioned in the WHO report, it was widely reported (though not in the mainstream media) that China took non-pharmaceutical approaches, such as traditional Chinese medicine (including herbal medicine) and high doses of vitamin C, to combat the disease. Three clinical trials are being conducted by scientists and institutions of higher learning in China, using placebos as a control. A clinical trial using mega doses of vitamin C as an interventional agent to treat a disease had never been carried out before, despite the countless literature mentioning its efficacy in several kinds of diseases, though the side effects are relatively unknown.

The world anxiously awaits the outcome of these clinical trials on vitamin C and Covid-19. Meanwhile, we must all remain vigilant and take precautions against the disease. – March 12, 2020.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.