Contained virus cases are a great achievement for Abu Dhabi

Our readers have their say on their volunteering efforts, the success with which Abu Dhabi has managed to contain the virus and how to stay healthy

Doctors, nurses and volunteers at the Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi on June 4. Victor Besa / The National

With regard to the report Coronavirus: Mussaffah cases 'fully contained' after landmark testing of 570,000 residents (June 23): this is outstanding work by everyone involved.

Adam Tesdale, Dubai

This is an exceptional achievement. We salute all the people involved in that operations. This is great, a job well done.

Prakash Pannikode, Abu Dhabi 

I am a 36-year-old Palestinian living in Dubai. I participated in the volunteering campaign as I thought it was my duty to the UAE. This nation has been my home for 25 years and volunteering has allowed me to give something back. I was one among some 18,740 volunteers from 132 nationalities across the UAE. Some are drawn to the excitement of the action, the hands-on opportunity, others like to be able to offer behind-the-scenes support. We all had one thing in common: the well-being of the people in the UAE. I worked four nights a week, from 8pm to 1am. We were sent our weekly schedules every Saturday, and one of the requirements for being a volunteer was being honest about your commitment, in order not to leave your team shorthanded and exposed. To relieve the strain on medical facilities, field testing centres were established across the country. I spent my time in one such centre, in Shabab Al Ahli Club. The risk of exposure was very high as the centre processes 200 potentially infected patients each day.

My role was to admit and direct the visitors that would undergo the Covid-19 test. We had to arrive early at the centre to gear up in masks, visors, gowns and gloves. At the end of the shift, a full body spray was used to disinfect the volunteers. I felt honoured being able to contribute. I did not feel fear, only pride.

Ibrahim Mansour, Dubai  

A reminder to exercise and look after your health

With reference to Nick Webster's report Coronavirus: how vulnerable are people with diabetes? (June 16): it is important that in these stressful times we eat healthy and stay fit. It is especially important now to take precautions because of the restricted lifestyle due to social distancing, working from home and continuous hours of sitting in one place.

Heartburn can be caused by eating food that is excessively oily, salty, spicy or sweet. Caffeine and tobacco can worsen the condition. Sleeping immediately after a meal should be avoided.

Poor eating habits along with stress can worsen acidity. An alternative to medicine is exercise. Research shows that even “mild physical activity” helps. A daily practice of yoga, combined with better food choices can improve gut health.

Palak Dengla, chief physiotherapist, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, India