The Covid-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm. It has influenced the way we behave, the way we work and, of course, our social and familial relations. We, the healthcare professionals, are the most affected as we are at the forefront of the ongoing battle.
Doctors, paramedics and other supporting staff — worldwide and in India — are battling day and night to grapple with the surge of patients, unfortunately getting infected in the process. Many doctors and paramedics have even succumbed to the disease, in this heroic mission. The end as such doesn’t seem in sight. A long way still left to cover, before we can declare ourselves a winner against this deadly virus.
People have praised and showered petals and flowers at many places on the healthcare professionals. At the same time, we cannot turn a blind eye to the several incidents of abuse and violence at many places in the event of deaths of near and dear ones.
The virus shows no sign of relenting and is increasing in strength and infectivity as the time progresses. Experts had opined that the harsh summers of India will take away the sting of the virus and the country would see an end to the pandemic.
All these forecasts seem to be having no backing now, as the scorching summers have only strengthened the virus, with Covid-19 numbers witnessing a big spike.
The healthcare system and infrastructure have overall done well till date, to cope up with the threat. But, alas, with the increasing numbers and the peak yet unseen, we don’t know what the future holds.
The world has learnt a new way of living in this process. Human needs and wants have taken a new meaning. Our priorities seem to have changed overnight, with our social lives getting confined to the Internet. Socialism has taken a new meaning and social distancing has become the order of the day. Needs and wants have shrunk and human beings are learning to survive with the bare minimum. Work from home is the new norm. Going to the office is no longer important. The virus has changed everything, and the world will never be the same again.
Medical professionals have been receiving the recognition they long yearned for. This fraternity has sacrificed their family, personal safety and happiness to serve mankind in the midst of Covid-19. Healthcare professionals globally have battled day and night without a break, in hospitals and clinics, to ensure that the human race survives this pandemic. Hundreds have got infected in the process and many have lost their lives.
Another threat that has emerged as an aftermath of this pandemic is the disruption in the mental resilience of the common population, leading to an alarming in- crease in the number of patients with anxiety, depression, insomnia and other mental illnesses.
The uncertainty of the situation, the virus threat, economic slowdown, isolation, fear of losing jobs, and the overexposure to Covid- related information, most of them unreliable, are some of the reasons for the surge in mental illnesses.
However, we cannot ignore the brighter side of this calamity. Families have come together as work from home has become a reality. The overall health of the individual has improved, our wants and needs have been prioritised differently, the total spend per unit of family has decreased, and money has been judiciously spent.
Industries, factories and businesses have taken a big hit. Indian economy was already struggling even before Covid-19 hit the world.
Post the pandemic, things have only worsened as many people have lost their jobs, and many more are in the line to lose their source of livelihood.
In this Covid darkness, however, we have seen multiple opportunities to learn, to develop and grow both as a human being and a professional.
While we can take all possible measures to prevent Covid-19 from entering our lives, we must not forget the following things:
o We must periodically evaluate our response protocols to ensure both adequacy and effectiveness.
o All of us need to take joint ownership in understanding that we are the “last line of defence” and we must step up to protect ourselves, our families and our communities through strict compliance to the laid down guidelines and protocols.
o Guard against complacency and be wary of “hygiene fatigue” as only then we can deal with Covid-like crisis in future as well.
I conclude by hoping that, after every period of darkness, a new dawn breaks out ushering in a new era, new dreams, new happiness and a new and better world.
Dr Prakash Pokharna is Chief Medical Officer, Ambuja Cement. Views expressed are personal.