COVID-19 is a sheer reality; one has to accept it. However, in Pakistan few of them are implementing SOPs seriously otherwise no precautionary measures. Importantly, the pandemic, if it continues to be underplayed by the government, may pose a formidable challenge for Prime Minister Imran Khans leadership along with causing a serious health crisis in a country of 220 million people with a weak healthcare system.
It has been more then 4 months since Pakistan registered its first coronavirus case. But the government has yet to come out with a unified statement and an orderly policy to inform, educate, and protect the masses. Instead, the public tends to follow dangerously fatalist and superstitious approaches rather than paying heed to science and health experts.
Given the constant stream of negative news about the novel coronavirus pandemic, it’s easy to feel anxious and uncertain. Anxiety is also an understandable reaction, since coronavirus has made many of us change our daily routines, and threatens our sense of safety. It can be difficult to let go of these thoughts and feelings. But, we can also try to use anxiety to develop habits that can protect our mental health.
As I am a social activist and during this pandemic I met with several people so I decided to have my coronavirus test. I was not having any symptoms but on safer side I decided to do so, and my results were positive. It was a pang of shock. I was officially COVID-19 infected. My thoughts instantly went to those I may have come in contact with. I had met officers, a group of friends, journalists and rural communities the list kept growing in my mind. So, did a tiny seed of doubt. No one from my friends whom I met got infected, which made me feel relaxed.
For me, a sleepless night followed. I was sure I had followed all virus precautions while meeting my contacts, yet there was a niggling worry. I wore a mask, had washed and sanitised my hands frequently and had maintained safe distance. If I could catch an infection despite all this, how can anyone I met recently be safe, I thought. During this isolation period, alone in a room, I often have nightmares and suffer panic attacks after reading about global casualties on social media. But the doctors would always assure me that I am young and I could beat the disease. That really helped me during these panic days. I didn’t have anything extraordinary in food as I just had random diet with food supplements. I stayed hydrated and eaten fresh fruits with lime water twice a day. And I “beat COVID-19” within 10 days.
Interestingly in Pakistan during this pandemic, a dangerous black market in blood plasma has emerged. The blood plasma of recovered coronavirus patients is now being sold for upwards of 100,000 to 300,000 to those who are desperately looking for a cure, at a time when doctors say Pakistan’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. It is also the ethical and moral responsibility of individuals who recovered from the coronavirus should voluntarily donate their plasma for COVID-19 patients to save their lives rather selling it. The government of Pakistan should take serious actions if someone is doing such stuff.
In the end, I’ve a few words of advice for my fellow citizens. Although the novel coronavirus is not deadly for young people, it is highly dangerous because it can spread very quickly. Maintaining social distancing and personal hygiene are the only way we can contain this infestation. So, I’d request everyone to please stay at home and don’t go out unnecessarily.
I would also advise everyone to wear face mask and get tested if they feel symptoms such as flu, fever, or dry cough. We all have a social responsibility now. We should follow the guidelines issued by medical professionals and the government and fight this pandemic as a nation.
The writer is a social activist. He can be reached at [email protected], tweets at Salmani_salu