By the end of 2020, the fear of Covid receded more among the people while the Corona Virus has not relented that much on the ground. With the reported fall in Corona infection cases in India and elsewhere in the world, an attitude of complacency had developed about the preventive measures. The SoPs was taken so lightly as if the Covid has bidden a goodbye forever. There is no second view that the momentum of life has to go on but when the situation is not conducive some changes in the lifestyle need to be made. As Corona has staged a comeback showing a surge in infected cases, the whole discussion about the prevention of the disease has started again. With new variant strains coming in we find some people getting infected for the second time.
With introduction of vaccine there is a renewed hope among the people, even though there is controversy over its efficacy and the time period within which immunity will be provided by the vaccine. The experts say that vaccine may not give complete protection but if someone is infected after the vaccination then the severity of diseases is less and life is saved. This has given some confidence among the population after an initial hesitancy in getting vaccinated.
However, the most important aspects that need to be taken seriously are the preventive measures like keeping physical distance, washing and sanitizing hands, using masks and staying away from crowded places etc. but not much attention has been paid to the stress which the patient and the family pass through. Though the death rate is less than 2 per cent, the tension and stress in the family are enormous. When even the doctors cannot predict the course of the disease, uncertainty adds to the problem. We all know that the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions are more vulnerable to become serious. The uncertainty of the course of the disease is a cause for mental stress the patient and the family pass through. Therefore it is important that this issue is discussed more and the fears are allayed.
We must create awareness among the family explaining to them that the number of people getting serious is very little. Therefore, if the person is not having any co-morbid condition and is not in a highly vulnerable age group the chances of his coming out of the disease are very bright. This gives a lot of confidence to the whole family and the patient. Even those in the vulnerable age group and with co-morbid conditions are to be given confidence and hope that if they take care they would remain alright.
God forbid, if the reports come positive for someone, it is advised to go into quarantine at least for 14 days and availing medical advice, now available online too, from time to time or when needed most. This adds to the already stressful mental state of affairs of the person. Besides the illness, the person gets worried about the long duration to stay alone.
It would be a crucial period but proper planning soon reduces the stress and one learns to manage these two weeks. One should not be worried about counting days and take it as it comes in a normal course. After the report comes positive there is some time during which one should collect the essential items and other things like cell phone, laptop, pen, notebook and books of interest etc. These will help in planning the period and keep you connected with the outside world.
Experts say, during the quarantine phase, it is important to check regularly the oxygen level before and after a six-minute walk minimum of four times a day. This gives us a clue of the lung functions at that particular moment.
While it is imperative for the other members of the family to stay away from the patient’s room when the food is given from outside but the patient should maintain good hydration level by taking a sufficient amount of liquids and healthy diet as advised by the doctor.
