From the Editors: Let’s not ignore the importance of oral hygiene as we mask-up

LET’S NOT IGNORE THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HYGIENE AS WE MASK-UP: Thanks to the pandemic, the mask, or a face cover, has now become a part and parcel of our lives and it will remain so in the foreseeable future or until the coronavirus threat is completely done away with. While masking up is one of the very basic means to ensure we do not contract the virus, particularly when we are out in public places, this rather unwanted ‘accessory’ has come with its own share of problems, chief among which is the toll it has started to take on our oral hygiene. Experts have expressed concern that keeping a mask on for long hours tends to dehydrate the oral cavity and that can trigger bacteria formation in the mouth, which has its own health risks. The problem can become even more acute with long hours of fasting during Ramadan. That is why it is of utmost importance to make sure we maintain adequate oral hygiene even as we slip that mask on. In our attempt to keep a deadly virus at bay, we must also ensure that we stay protected from any ancillary danger. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

A SECOND RAMADAN IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: For two consecutive years now, COVID-19 has overshadowed the holy month of Ramadan. Last year, many Muslims were hoping things will get back to normal this year. Unfortunately, that has not happened; the insidious pandemic is still raging across many regions of the world. However, not all is doom and gloom. Most Muslim countries have said that mosques will be open for the nightly taraweeh prayers - albeit with precautions, including shortened durations. That only makes sense, as an important religious duty is protecting each other. Traditionally, iftars and suhours are times when extended families get together. But we need to act responsibly, and focus on the spiritual bits more than the socialising bits. We need to take all precautions to ensure there is no spike in cases during the holy month. Ramadan Kareem. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

NEW VACCINE AUTHORISATION GOOD NEWS FOR INDIA: India's authorisation of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is a boost for the nation's inoculation drive. This is the third vaccine approved by the country after the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and Covaxin, which was developed by Indian firm Bharat Biotech. But infection rates are continuing to soar to record highs in India with 161,736 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday. The country hopes to vaccinate 300 million people by the end of July and all hands will have to be on board to help achieve this task. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

IPL: A TALE OF TWO CAPTAINS ON A RUN-FEAST IN WANKHEDE: There was so little to choose between the rivals captains, KL Rahul of Punjab Kings and Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals, who brought the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai alive on Monday. In the end, Rahul may have had the last laugh when they won their IPL opener by four runs, but the red shirts must have heaved a huge sigh of relief after the scare given to them – almost single-handedly – by the Kerala batsman. More power to them as they could be so pleasing to the eyes when in full flow! [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

WHEN CHILD STARS GROW OLD: If you were a child of the 90s, you have a right to be shook by the news that Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song have welcomed a baby together. The two stars, best known for their roles as child artists in the ‘Home Alone’ franchise and ‘The Suite Life’, have been dating for a while, much to the surprise of their fans. For most of us, who have a Christmas tradition of watching ‘Home Alone’ every year, it does come as a shock that 8-year-old Kevin McCallister is not stuck in a time warp. Song, meanwhile, who was best known for her role as London Tipton in the naughts, is also all grown up as well. It’s time to pull out that hankie and have a cry. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]