Advice

A Short To-Do List For Covid Times

Something that I wanted to write in case it helps someone

India, and specifically Karnataka state where I live, is reeling under a huge wave of Covid infections. In contrast to this wave, it seems like we breezed through the wave in April 2020.

As I see multiple doom and gloom messages and talk to more and more friends and families affected by covid, I am making a list of ‘good things to do’ for everyone. By divine grace, my family and I have stayed safe. But the more I talk to others, the more I feel I need to share the list that is forming in my head.

Most parts of the world are getting their vaccine shots and helping contain the virus. But it is not happening as quickly as it should.

Pay attention to symptoms

A sniffle, a tiny itch in the throat, mild fever, anything that you would have normally brushed off because you are stronger than all that. Don’t be like that now. This virus is sneaky. It wants you to think you are ok. It loves playing mind games.

Best leave the judgment to experts. Call your family doctor or any trusted healthcare official and tell them what you feel. Describe your symptoms. Let them decide if it needs to be ignored or treated.

Chances of recovery are higher if this thing is discovered and treated soon. Don’t miss out on that window of opportunity.

Isolate at once

Again, sniffle, scratchy throat, etc.? Isolate at once. Stay away from whoever is in the house. Don’t drag everybody down. Now is not the time to wonder whether it is just a false alarm. Pray that it is, but play safe.

Every minute that you hang around with the others in the house, you are compromising them too. Don’t carry that guilt later.

Tell close family and friends

Don’t be shy to tell others if you are feeling under the weather or if you tested positive. This is not an STD where you think someone will judge you. Let close friends and family know. Who knows who has information that might come in handy for you.

And there is definitely some merit in collective prayers. The more people rooting for your recovery, the better for you.

Share information based on your experience

Recovered from a covid wave? Congrats. Happy for you. Really. Now share that experience. Tell your loved ones and others. What symptoms did you have? Where and how did you get tested? What measures did you take? How long did it take for the fever to let up? Tell all.

We think everyone has all the information that is needed and we don’t need to bother sharing. But that may or may not be the right assumption. Often, people listen to folks they trust better than the advice of random strangers on the internet. Be that trusted person who provides information.

If it helps even one person, it is a good deed done.

Share news about folks who have recovered

Everyone needs hope and optimism. Newspapers and news channels are busy showing the bad side. We need to stay informed and gear up. I agree. But we also need stories of hope and survival.

If you know of friends or family who went through the ordeal and who have come out stronger, tell. It is getting physically and mentally tiring to hear only bad news every day. Any happy news is more than welcome.

This is clearly not an exhaustive list. I may add as I think of more. But these have been swimming in my head for a while now. Maybe someone somewhere will read these and act on them.

Stay safe and stay healthy, everyone! As the ancients wisely said in Sanskrit,

Vasudhaiva kutumbakam — meaning the entire world is one family!

Let us keep together and fight this invisible enemy.