AS if the perils of the third Covid wave are not enough, Pakistanis have started experiencing for a few days dry flaky skin, bone-dry solid parched lips, throat as dry as the Sahara desert and stinging nose, which leads to nose bleeding.

Everyone was dumbfounded until the news came; extreme dry winds are causing the static charge. Hospitals that are already battling the deadly Covid are now also treating patients affected by this wind change.

This kind of weather may come in waves too in the months ahead. Health experts have suggested people to adopt precautionary measures, which include drinking plenty of water and fresh juices to stay hydrated. People have been advised to apply moisturiser and olive oil on the affected nose and lips, and take steamed water with cloves. While this is the only remedy so far, I am afraid this is not helping much.

No matter how hydrated we stay, it is just not enough. Experts also suggested to stay at home and go out only when necessary, wear a mask at all times and cover the heads, something which we all should already be doing, keeping in mind the prevailing Covid situation in the world.

Hospitals have tackled these cases on an emergency basis so far. We have already suffered enough from menaces like coronavirus and dengue, and this is the last thing we need now.

Is this the beginning of something new? Who knows what we are in for!

Zartashia Iqbal
Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2021