It became one of the few positive impacts of strict restrictions imposed on billions across the world.

This compelled scientists at NASA to further study the extend of this reduced pollution levels in atmosphere. The scientists developed a computer-generated model to study how the atmosphere would have been if there was no COVID-19 pandemic and how it turned out in these months.

NASA experts created a model projection of a COVID-free Earth atmosphere in 2020 keeping in account natural variations as well.

The model simulation and machine learning analysis showed an alternate reality version of 2020- one that did not experience any unexpected changes in human behaviour brought on by the pandemic.

The researchers received data from 46 countries with a total of 5,756 observation sites on the ground. The experts observed that in a city-level, 50 of the 61 cities show nitrogen dioxide reductions between 20-50%.

Wuhan in China, which was the first in the world to impose a strict lockdown after the COVID-19 outbreak originated there, showed the first reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions. The emission in Wuhan was 60% less than expected. Milan in Italy’s Lombardy, the worst-hit regions in Europe, also saw a 60% reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions.

New York, another worst hit city saw a 45% reduction in the pollution levels.

Meanwhile in India, a report released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the pollution levels in India were reduced by 24% in the pre-lockdown days of early March. During the nationwide lockdown, it further went down by almost 50%.

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Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that the second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the national capital in September this year. He also said that many people think they can recover from the infection but do not consider that they can act as carriers and infect their family members and loved ones.

The Delhi Government is planning to ban firecrackers this Diwali completely. FIR will be filed against anyone found in violation of the ban on firecrackers this Diwali.

Experts repeatedly said that winter season along with a rise in pollution causes a dual problem for the respiratory tract. Doctors are cautioning everyone to keep in mind the pandemic while celebrating Diwali. There are not only more cases of infection but mortality is also higher among pollution-affected patients.

Pollution itself cause inflammation of lungs. A moderate disease can turn severe because of pollution. In the antibody testing done as part of a sero-survey in Delhi, for every asymptomatic COVID-19 patient, there are 20-25 asymptomatic patients.

Doctors also revealed that they are seeing more patients who are asymptomatic in recent days.

One of India’s most renowned surgeons, Mumbai based Dr Hemant Thacker issued an important warning while speaking to India Today that the last three months can produce a wave of COVID-19 infections that can be deadly.

Don’t let the pollution, the cold, the crackers and covid fatigue you. Diwali is a festival of lights. Let the light enlighten each of our mind to be dutiful.

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