My routine work was going on as usual till 5th September 2020, when I developed high fever along with cough and throat infection, I took paracetamol(PCM) and I was alright for the day. The next day my fever was back taking the toll on my father and brother as well. We visited a local doctor and he prescribed us the routine PCM and antibiotics.
The next day, 7th September which in hindsight, I would call as a black day in my life we visited the nearest COVID TESTING CENTRE and all of us were diagnosed as COVID POSITIVE. It seemed the sky came crashing down on us. I had a sudden sinking feeling with weakness enveloping my whole body and a rush of thoughts. I was mentally shaken up though just a moment ago I was completely alright.Collecting my thoughts I somehow managed to reach home.
The next day, 7th September which in hindsight, I would call as a black day in my life we visited the nearest COVID TESTING CENTRE and all of us were diagnosed as COVID POSITIVE. It seemed the sky came crashing down on us. I had a sudden sinking feeling with weakness enveloping my whole body and a rush of thoughts. I was mentally shaken up though just a moment ago I was completely alright.Collecting my thoughts I somehow managed to reach home.
One of our neighbours came to know about us being COVID POSITIVE and the news spread like wild fire. The attitude of everyone around us changed suddenly and they started to maintain distance from us even though we were observing all the rules. For the first time I experienced what untouchability and discrimination that prevailed in earlier times felt, as I had read in the books.
My family was a hot topic of discussion in my society. We have four members in our family and amongst them three were found positive, only my mother was left. Within a short span of time , some policeman and civil defence volunteers came to visit us to carry out the policy procedures and barricading of our street was done. Our neighbours who were our all- weather friends had now turned to be a fair weather friends. They were staring at us suspiciously like we were some terrorists out on a mission to destroy. Different versions of stories were circulating in the society regarding my family’s plight. It all sounded ridiculous and disturbed me a lot.
I am a Teacher in a Delhi government school and was going to school till I was diagnosed COVID Positive.
I was totally disturbed not only due to the physical illness but also the psychological storm I was facing. It felt really awkward to see the impaired reaction of the people towards a corona warrior( teacher) who was performing her duties since lockdown whether it was about food distribution duties in hunger relief centres run by Delhi government, daily school works, attending to parents, book distribution, maintaining records etc, putting me and my family’s safety at stake.
If such discriminatory attitude is there towards a CORONA WARRIOR then what could be expected for ordinary people?
As the days passed, we dealt with some physical issues due to the reaction of the virus on our body, but besides the virus there was a more dangerous virus( changing perceptions and mentality of the surrounding people) that was making us lonely and segregated. This loneliness cannot be seen by the others but can only be felt by the sufferers.
On 10th September, my mother was found having similar symptoms as us and was also diagnosed COVID POSITIVE. Our stress level as a family had peaked with my mother falling sick. At such times when tender loving care is needed by a sick person, here we were living in separate rooms( one for each), maintaining social distancing within the family with only mobile phones as a means of connecting with the outside world and each other. The attitude of the neighbours became more investigative and observant as they started keeping a check on our movement within our home including the terrace. We were expected only to confine ourself in our rooms. The attitude of neighbours and the Police made us feel as if we committed a big crime for which we were being imprisoned.
Contrary to what was being projected in the media, neighbours and police were not willing to provide us basic necessities like milk, ration etc. There were threats about sending us to a quarantine centre instead of being Home quarantined if we asked for help.
I started questioning myself-
Although my family won the fight against COVID-19, a big question still haunts my mind. How long will it take for things to be normal as before?
It has been a month since we recovered still whenever I come in contact with my neighbours or people who knew about our illness, they suddenly show signs of being wary or ignore us.
'COVID-19’ infection has not discriminated on the basis of caste, creed, sex, location, class, religion, country etc. The way it has impacted people physically and mentally even post- recovery, is drastic.
Educating the masses correctly and scientifically is required so that myths surrounding the infection is kept at bay. People should be educated to behave more compassionately with infected persons around them, be it family or society. Having successfully defeated the virus and after careful analysis I conclude that infected people should not overthink and over analyse about the reactions of others around them as they may be trying to protect themselves from the virus and are really afraid. Developing a healthy mental approach of care and compassion towards self as well as others is the need of the hour to collectively win the fight against the hidden enemy- COVID-19.
Written by:-
Ms. Shikha
My family was a hot topic of discussion in my society. We have four members in our family and amongst them three were found positive, only my mother was left. Within a short span of time , some policeman and civil defence volunteers came to visit us to carry out the policy procedures and barricading of our street was done. Our neighbours who were our all- weather friends had now turned to be a fair weather friends. They were staring at us suspiciously like we were some terrorists out on a mission to destroy. Different versions of stories were circulating in the society regarding my family’s plight. It all sounded ridiculous and disturbed me a lot.
I am a Teacher in a Delhi government school and was going to school till I was diagnosed COVID Positive.
I was totally disturbed not only due to the physical illness but also the psychological storm I was facing. It felt really awkward to see the impaired reaction of the people towards a corona warrior( teacher) who was performing her duties since lockdown whether it was about food distribution duties in hunger relief centres run by Delhi government, daily school works, attending to parents, book distribution, maintaining records etc, putting me and my family’s safety at stake.
If such discriminatory attitude is there towards a CORONA WARRIOR then what could be expected for ordinary people?
As the days passed, we dealt with some physical issues due to the reaction of the virus on our body, but besides the virus there was a more dangerous virus( changing perceptions and mentality of the surrounding people) that was making us lonely and segregated. This loneliness cannot be seen by the others but can only be felt by the sufferers.
On 10th September, my mother was found having similar symptoms as us and was also diagnosed COVID POSITIVE. Our stress level as a family had peaked with my mother falling sick. At such times when tender loving care is needed by a sick person, here we were living in separate rooms( one for each), maintaining social distancing within the family with only mobile phones as a means of connecting with the outside world and each other. The attitude of the neighbours became more investigative and observant as they started keeping a check on our movement within our home including the terrace. We were expected only to confine ourself in our rooms. The attitude of neighbours and the Police made us feel as if we committed a big crime for which we were being imprisoned.
Contrary to what was being projected in the media, neighbours and police were not willing to provide us basic necessities like milk, ration etc. There were threats about sending us to a quarantine centre instead of being Home quarantined if we asked for help.
I started questioning myself-
- Why had I gone for the test?
- Would it be better for anyone not to go for the test?
- What is the reason behind slow improvement in our health- physical weakness or mental stress?
- Do I need emotional support from someone or need to start some medication?
Although my family won the fight against COVID-19, a big question still haunts my mind. How long will it take for things to be normal as before?
It has been a month since we recovered still whenever I come in contact with my neighbours or people who knew about our illness, they suddenly show signs of being wary or ignore us.
'COVID-19’ infection has not discriminated on the basis of caste, creed, sex, location, class, religion, country etc. The way it has impacted people physically and mentally even post- recovery, is drastic.
Educating the masses correctly and scientifically is required so that myths surrounding the infection is kept at bay. People should be educated to behave more compassionately with infected persons around them, be it family or society. Having successfully defeated the virus and after careful analysis I conclude that infected people should not overthink and over analyse about the reactions of others around them as they may be trying to protect themselves from the virus and are really afraid. Developing a healthy mental approach of care and compassion towards self as well as others is the need of the hour to collectively win the fight against the hidden enemy- COVID-19.
Written by:-
Ms. Shikha
Really well explained, keep it up shikha
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