Page 83 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Therapeutic resilience during COVID-19

(Ali, 2020). Specifically, numerous ideas were propagated hair dryer, which is an inexpensive and frequently used
regarding the genesis of the virus, including the possibility appliance. The surfaces of common objects can be sterilized
of it being a bioweapon intentionally produced by either by its hot blower. To clean products that were acquired
the Chinese or American governments, with the intent of from the market, people have been using hot blowers.
engaging in hostilities against one another (Myers, 2020). Similarly, a 46-year-old woman working in a local fabric
Meanwhile, others focused on prevention and treatment, manufacturing factory stated:
based on the perception that standard clinical care could
not be trusted and that individuals should use alternative Hand dryers have the capacity to effectively eradicate
treatments to combat the infection (Garcia, 2020). the virus. Previously, I held the belief that the sterilization

It is not surprising that conspiracy theories flourished procedure employed at our workplace during the
during this period. According to previous research, since manufacturing process engenders trust in the quality of
individuals feel driven to explain massive occurrences our products. The potential efficacy of hot air in eradicating
with comparably massive reasoning (Leman & Cinnirella, germs raises the question of its applicability in combating
2007), they are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories the current viral infection.
against the backdrop of pivotal moments (Mccauley During the initial stages of COVID-19 transmission,
& Jacques, 1979) and significant crises (Van Prooijen there was a prevailing belief that the virus would not be
& Douglas, 2017). The possible reason for this is that able to survive in the hot summer season in Pakistan, due
individuals tend to be drawn to conspiracy theories when to its extended duration and high intensity. There was
their basic psychological needs are not satisfied (Graeupner also the expectation that the virus would see a decline as
& Coman, 2017). the seasons changed and that exposure to sunlight would
contribute to its eradication. For instance, a 38-year-old
3.1. Community perceptions about the existence of merchant selling cotton candy at the local market claimed:
COVID-19

This study relied on a wide range of contradictory stories It has been postulated that the virus may potentially
that appeared across Pakistan, particularly in suburban undergo extinction during the summer season. It is
areas, with anonymous and untraceable sources. These plausible to assert that this statement holds validity since
rumors were not unique because there have always been the elevated temperatures experienced during the summer
rumors and conspiracies involving the transmission of season within our locality possess the potential to cause
harmful diseases. In this case, we specifically analyze five harm or even fatality to individuals.
distinct narratives that were popular in Pakistan during the Meanwhile, ascorbic acid, commonly referred to as
first wave of COVID-19. “Vitamin C,” was prescribed by several of the local doctors.
Regarding the presence of COVID-19, there were mixed This is because it is widely believed that it strengthens the
responses. Some people were intrigued by the news, while immune system, which, in turn, helps fight off sickness. For
others assumed that it was a hoax. The dissemination of example, a 47-year-old man working with a pharmaceutical
information suggesting that the virus was either a hoax or a distribution service claimed:
form of propaganda rapidly proliferated across the country, Vitamin C can help you fight against the virus. Our
thereby undermining the efforts of governmental and other community is made up of poor individuals who do not
institutional bodies aimed at containing its transmission. prioritize meeting their nutritional needs. As a result, they
Meanwhile, less educated people did not consider the are susceptible to becoming rapidly ill. Vitamin C pills are
virus as a dangerous disease, but rather as a common inexpensive and easy to obtain to increase immunity.
cold/seasonal flu. As a result, they avoided taking any
countermeasures. In other words, they treated this sickness In this regard, numerous studies have established a
as a normal affair and were unwilling to acknowledge its correlation between the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
severity. For example, a 29-year-old woman working as a anticoagulant, and immunomodulatory activities of
domestic maid in a local neighborhood stated: Vitamin C. Several studies have revealed that individuals
diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia tend to exhibit
The virus is no more dangerous than a common cold. Flu elevated levels of oxidative stress and reduced ascorbic
and colds are common occurrences throughout the changing acid levels. However, some evidence suggests that the
seasons each year. It is those with advanced degrees who administration of Vitamin C to patients diagnosed with
give new titles to the same illness to gain attention and fame. pneumonia may reduce the severity of their symptoms and
Hot air inhibits the growth of viruses, which decay the duration of the illness. As for patients diagnosed with
quickly and render surfaces clean. Most homes have a sepsis, receiving intravenous vitamin measurements has

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 77 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4109