COVID-19 pandemic and “survival of the fittest”

Richa Mukhra; Kewal Krishan; Tanuj Kanchan

doi:10.3855/jidc.13490

Authors

Richa Mukhra Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-001X
Kewal Krishan Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5321-0958
Tanuj Kanchan Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0346-1075

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.13490

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, innate and herd immunity, natural selection, essential microorganisms, lifestyle and cultural immunity, vaccination

Abstract

Occurrence and recurrence of COVID-19 cases have been observed globally. The complex relationship of host-pathogen and the environment plays a vital role in understanding the widespread recurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 among humans. Though the pathobiology of the disease is not completely understood, it is well established that COVID-19 poses a greater threat to individuals with co-morbidities and a weakened immune system. The article deals with the notion of innate immunity, natural selection, and the survival of the fittest during the COVID-19 outbreak. The article also attempts to introduce the concept of “lifestyle and cultural immunity” that needs to be addressed and incorporated at an early stage of childhood to boost up the human immune system. The communication further discusses the role of vaccination and micro-organisms pre-existing in the environment which are required to enhance the immunity of an individual.

Author Biographies

Richa Mukhra, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Richa Mukhra, MSc, PhD (Submitted)

Department of Anthropology (UGC Centre of Advanced Study),

Panjab University, Sector-14, Chandigarh, India

Kewal Krishan, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Dr Kewal Krishan is a renowned forensic anthropologist and presently serving as Associate Professor and Chairperson at the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He passed his BSc (Hons.), MSc (Hons.) and PhD from Panjab University, India. He is well known for his contributions to forensic anthropology in Indian populations. He published more than 195 research articles in international and national journals of repute including high impact and reputed journals such as Nature, Nature Medicine and The Lancet. Dr. Krishan has contributed to the advancement of Forensic Science and its applications in Indian populations. He has devised many methods of criminal investigation and formulae to be used in the criminal investigation process.

He contributed invited chapters to the most coveted Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences (2013) and Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2016) published by Elsevier. He is the Editor and on the panel of editors of various reputed international forensic journals such as Forensic Science International, Medicine Science and the Law etc. He has been awarded the fellowship of Royal Anthropological Institute (FRAI) of Great Britain and Ireland, London for his contributions to forensic anthropology in india.

His research has been cited by more than 5200 studies in the scientific literature.

His Wikipedia profile is available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kewal_Krishan_(forensic_anthropologist)