NEW MEDIA: USE OF HOME REMEDIES FOR IMMUNITY BOOSTING BY COVID-19 PATIENTS IN PAKISTAN.

Abstract

COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus that was first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Globally, the pandemic has resulted in significant mortality. There are many reasons why it could wreak havoc in developing countries like Pakistan. Such as demographic characteristics, an inadequate healthcare system, poverty, religious belief system, carelessness, and socio-cultural characteristics. The in-depth (N = 30) interviews were carried out with a purposive sampling technique to collect data from patients, their families, and peer groups. and 5 interviews with experienced healers were also included to further supplement the study. This research demonstrates that these underlying mechanisms that may make people more insecure in the face of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may include carelessness, misperception and confusion, multiple forms of health care, and importantly, some of the home remedies, etc. The new media is one of the main sources of such misunderstandings and misinformation. People become addicted to this type of media, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The new media spread traditional remedies to counter COVID-19 and these remedies are being tested to treat COVID-19 patients because the country has a long history of using them to cure a variety of illnesses in the past. Moreover, critical information about coronavirus and preventive measures to improve immunity by using homemade, easily available ingredients is widely disseminated and the public receives and circulates the information through new media. Keywords: Home Remedies, social media, Immunity Boosting,