Dispelling the fears and apprehensions of the people, the survivors assured that there is no reason to be scared. (Representational Image)
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Atono Tsükrü Kense
Kohima | August 22
The total tally of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths worldwide, in terms of millions is a daunting figure, if one has to go with the numbers.
Ever since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 reported on March 25, there has been a steady spike of cases in Nagaland. As of August 22, State has 3635 confirmed cases with 1453 active cases, 2166 recoveries and 7 deaths.
Though the numbers in thousands may seem intimidating, it may be comforting to know that 95% of the cases are asymptomatic with a recovery rate of 59.5% till date.
However, what it is really like to have COVID-19 remains largely unanswered for many people. To find out, The Morung Express spoke to some COVID-19 survivors who bear the testimony of the fact that the battle against Coronavirus can be won.
As the survivors including a legislator, a sportsperson and a teenager recounted, being infected with the virus was not as bad or scary as people assumed it to be, terming it as “like any other common cold and flu.”
The road to recovery, however, was not a smooth ride, given the circumstance and several associated challenges with the infection, particularly the societal perception and attitude regarding the disease.
The first reaction
When enquired what went through their minds when they found themselves to be COVID-19 positive, they all said they were not shocked or scared but took it positively with the firm belief that they would be fine in a couple of days.
The survivors were all asymptomatic.
Advisor for Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan whose result came out positive during a mandatory testing necessitated for the assembly session said, “I was surprised but not at all worried because I know my body. All along, I was very sure that in the next test I would be tested negative and it so happened.”
Sixty-five year old John, a sportsperson (named changed) who went for testing through sheer chance responded that he was not all shocked but was grateful.
“I could have been a super spreader had I not chance upon for a test and detected the virus right on time,” he conveyed.
A cheerful 17-year old teenager Naro (named changed) said, “though I didn’t expect myself to be positive, it was not shocking because my Dad had already tested positive, and I knew I would be alright.”
The isolation days
As is the case, they all followed the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for home isolation and institutional quarantine for 14 days and also rested and slept well besides eating well to keep their immune system strong.
“During the 14 days home isolation, it gave me an opportunity to think and ponder about many things,” said Yanthan who considered the isolation days as ‘me-time’ and spent his days and nights reading books, exercising vigorously.
He even tried yoga for breathing, which he said has greatly improved his health.
For Naro, currently under an institutional quarantine centre awaiting her second test, her online class which starts at 9 am everyday kept her occupied while she also spent her time in prayer, getting in touch with family and friends through phone calls and taking care of her health.
“I love the homemade food brought by my relatives and friends,” said Naro, who felt she is being pampered a lot.
Fear is not the solution
Dispelling the fears and apprehensions of the people, the survivors assured that there is no reason to be scared or fear so much but to understand the virus both rationally and medically and most importantly, follow all safety and precautionary measures.
“No doubt COVID-19 is a highly infectious virus and seems scary but it’s mostly to do with attitudinal behaviour,” said John, adding that as COVID-19 has come to stay, people need to learn to live with it sans the fear and panic.
“We are so afraid about COVID-19 but we shouldn’t be so panicky. I consider this virus to be just like any other common flu or cold, and take care and precautions as a responsibility by each and every individual,” opined Yanthan, now free of COVID-19.
While it is unfortunate that those with co-morbidities are succumbing to the virus, he conveyed that being afraid is not the solution.
“We are putting ourselves in difficult situation by locking ourselves out, sealing the area etc” which is creating fear psychosis among the public, he stressed.
Showing maturity way beyond her age, Naro was of the view that perhaps people are scared and panic with the fact that this virus is not going to end anytime soon, coupled with lack of definite vaccine or medicine for the disease till now.
However, noting that this is not something to be dealt with forever, she said: “ Everything will be fine and in the meantime we need to keep praying and take care of ourselves.”
This is the first of a two-part series.
