Disciple of inevitable

We have been reading bits and pieces of the virus, what it is, the dangers, the preventions we need to be in  quarantine, social distancing,  curfew and so on.

Social distancing is physical distancing, since with social media we are near to each other.

The other day, I had two calls from unexpected quarters. One was Dr Wagle from Mumbai, a video call, once colleagues in mphasis, later mutual admirers of each other’s writings and friends. Another call was from Ramakrishna, my sign language teacher, I did attend a sign language course 4 years ago, met and spoke to his family members in the video call. These out of the blue calls during the lockdown time, raised the level of my spirits. It inspired me to reconnect with people randomly from my contact list. It’s a booster for all involved. You can  try  it out.

Somebody asked me how am I handling the situation.

Following the instructions by the government, I said. Stay put wherever I am. It does not mean bathroom or kitchen like some videos doing the  round, shows the girl hearing the prime minister’s advise of stay wherever you are, she is shown to continue living in the rest room. I am in the house  with my mother, sister  and Bil in Kerala (stay wherever you are) and spouse with her mother, in Bangalore, practicing another type of distancing. My sister with her business under curfew, using her time to make an awesome culinary item everyday, me is a beneficiary.

What about fear, anxiety, how is it affecting you mentally, he asked  though he is uncomfortable with the situation. 

We can do what is in our control, distancing, curfewing, washing hands, taking up volunteer service (though age is a barrier), helping some families in trouble, donating to government funds. The only TV channel, Doordarshan, quiet and serene, wondering why we changed camps all these years. I do some breathing exercise and do some walking.

Walking, how do you that ? he asked.

I draw an 8 in the room and make that as a path to walk. 54 times one way and 54 times the other way,108 times. You need not draw the number eight, you can place two markers at a distance and walk the 8 route. This I learned from my friend Prof. Sakthidharan.

Why 108 times ?

By that time I run out  of time. You can do more.

Is it safe to donate into government funds ?

You can also take care of families, if you are scared to donate.

When you say government funds, there is an hesitancy.

“Don’t worry, it’s the politician’s interest that you survive, else who will be left to vote for them. Any way this is not the time for politics, however few jokes will help. The dangerous people are the couch potatoes, who is sitting in the comfort of their homes and barking. A country with 130 crore people have to be protected and it is not humanly possible to score 100 in this operation. All the critics without responsibility, if you are handed over this job, you think you can do better ? A critic can comment on an egg but cannot lay one. I can sense some people are relieved that they are not at the helm of affairs in the present situation, since shouting from the gallery is an easier job.

A news I read a while ago, 93 and 88 year old have got cured, which is encouraging.

In my life philosophy, I consider the inevitable as my guru than its victim. This helps me to deal with fear.

That was a balm to soothe his worries. Not sure whether it is working.

The need of the hour for the haves and secured are counselling to deal with trauma, anxiety, paranoia, panic, depression, other negatives and the have nots, food and shelter.

All what we have will be useless, if we don’t help others to survive and get rid of the virus to support all the machinery in action to deal. Well see it as another disease which is curable. You have to check the spread else you will run out of  resources  to treat them.

Thankful and grateful to all involved in the humongous war, to each and every one of you.

Dr Bhatt has written extensively on Covid 19. You can read all of them here else select the chapters of your interest and read.

Over to Dr Bhatt

The Pandemic – COVID 19 and us

By Colonel (Retd) B M Bhatt L/RAMC, MD FRCP

Hon. President, Welfare Association of Residents of Royal Residency

Part 1 Introduction                                                                                                   

Part 2 India and the Pandemic – Covid 19                                                       

Part 3 Traveller Discovery and Home Quarantine                                      

Part 4 Action to be taken by Welfare Association                                      

Part 5 Clinical Syndromes associated with Covid 19                                  

Part 6 Summary                                                                                                         

Part 7 Helplines, Hospitals and Covid 19 testing labs                               

Part 8 References                                                                                                     

Part 9 In lighter vein                                                                                                

Part 10 Self-Declaration form for Returning Traveller                              

To continue, please click

https://royalrlayout.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/the-pandemic-covid-19-and-us/