Karnataka: Raichur teacher dies after lemon juice in nose as 'cure' for Covid-19

RAICHUR: The rising number of cases has driven people to take desperate measures to keep themselves protected from the Covid-19 virus. From kashaya (ayurvedic beverage) to immunity-boosting foods, people are trying different home remedies, sometimes based on videos doing the rounds on social media.
However, a 45-year-old government school teacher in Raichur lost his life after trying one of these untested measures.
Basavaraj Malipatil of Sindhanur taluk reportedly saw a video of former MP Vijay Sankeshwar who recommended lemon therapy.
“Just two drops of lemon juice in the nose can increase oxygen saturation level in the body and prevent Covid-19 infection,” said Vijay Sankeshwar, also a transport businessman. He even claimed that some patients tried this with good results.
On Wednesday, Malipatil was reportedly feeling feverish and assumed he was Covid-positive. Police sources said he bought lemons from a nearby store and reportedly applied a few drops in each nostril. They said he may have choked to death.
Virupakshagouda Malipatil, elder brother of the deceased talking to ToI said the family has no official confirmation on the cause of death. Basavaraj vomited twice in the morning after putting lemon juice inside his nose. "To protect himself from the effects of Covid 19 he applied lemon juice and it is true. Later this happened. The family rushed him to the hospital after he fell sick. Unfortunately he died on reaching a private hospital in Sindhanur," he said.
Nandish, president of Raichur taluk primary school teachers' association talking to TOI said he also had seen Vijay Sankeshwar making that claim on TV and even an article was written on the same on his newspaper. Now a person has died experimenting the same on his life. "The people in responsible positions should not make such statements as these are not claims based on scientific experiments. Now who is responsible for his death?" he questioned.
Naredra Nayak, president of Indian Rationalist Association who had countered Vijay Sankeshwar after he made the statement said this cannot increase oxygen saturation level. It is sheer stupidity to say something like that and more stupid to believe in that. Now a person has succumbed following quackery. "Do not think that Covid will be cured by putting engine oil or battery acids into your nose," he quipped.
However, Sankeshwar refuted such reports and said he learnt that the man died not because of lemon therapy he had suggested but due to low blood pressure. “I learnt he had low BP. It's not the lemon therapy that caused his death," he said.