July 27: Two weeks back, I had a lot of curiosity and confusion regarding how it feels to be Corona positive. There were several misconceptions as well. The virus, probably, had an intention to through light on the matter and it somehow managed to get inside me even though I was equipped with protective gears like N95 mask and sanitizers. It all started with a sudden fever on 13 July, followed by cough after two days and tastelessness thereafter. My wife Moon Mallick too started developing similar symptoms.
Debashish Sharma with his wife at SMCH
As responsible citizen, we quarantined ourselves at home and asked our house maid to discontinue visiting our place. We paid a visit to a doctor and he prescribed us medicines for a few days. However, as soon as we came to know that a few of our relatives tested positive and we were in contact with them, we rushed to Silchar Medical College to get ourselves tested too. The result came out the very next day, that is, on 21 July and an ambulance took us us to SMCH at 10:30 pm. A long wait followed before we were assigned our beds at Opthalmology ward at 4:30 am the next day.
I must offer my sincere thanks to the Government of Assam, particularly Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for trying their best to deal with this pandemic. We were provided a welcome kit consisting of new bucket, mug, “gamcha”, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, vitamin capsules, gas tablets, calcium tablets and Vitamin D3 tablets. I have received a lot of query from my well wishers regarding the food supplied to the patient. I feel this is the best platform to inform everyone of the menu that is being provided to us and put an end to rumours.
Lunch : Rice/Roti, Dal, Mixed Vegetable, Egg curry / Fish fry / Chicken (any one pf these on a particular day), Rosgolla/Gulab Jamun, Amul Lassi.
Evening snacks : Frooti and Kaju 50 gm.
Dinner : Same as above except sweets and lassi.
The food is quite good except that there is no variation in the menu. Sufficient mineral water bottles are also being provided. The government and SMCH authorities are really doing great with it. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not mention a word of appreciation for the health workers. Hats off to their dedication and hard work. It is really a difficult task to remain wearing a PPE kit in such hot and humid weather of Silchar. Doctors, nurses and helpers deserve special honour for offering their relentless service in such tough times under such challenging conditions. A number of doctors, medical students and employees of SMCH are also admitted with us after being tested positive, but I salute their courage and commitment . Being patients themselves, they helped in distributing food packets to everyone and were also ready to help other serious patients.
A special thanks to Dr. Deepak Pandey, Dr. Avinash Powar, Dr. Amit Kalwar, Dr. Debanjali Das and patient-cum-doctors Dr. Hari and Dr. Surabhi and health workers Mr. Amit Das and Mr. Sirjul for celebrating Kargil Day on 26 July by arranging a singing and dancing programme at Covid Ward of SMCH. This unique gesture helped cheer up the patients. We all sang and danced with immense positivity. The program went viral within hours and also made it to national media like AajTak, NDTV, Anandabazar etc. Little good things bring about huge happiness!
We had a complaint regarding the unclean and ill-maintained toilets and rooms. I had raised a lot of awareness on this issue writing an open letter to the authorities through various print and electronic media and I am happy that the authorities were quick to react on a positive note. It should also be noted that it is the duty of every patient and attendants to maintain cleanliness by using dustbins and toilets in a responsible way. Splashing water after every use of toilets should be built as a habit.
Of course, very often water is not available. I hope the authorities will address this issue. Also, many of the oxygen cylinders here in SMCH are defective. My uncle, Nabendra Kumar Adhikary who is also diabetic and covid positive, had to be given oxygen as he was experiencing breathing difficulty. We were really surprised that four cylinders had to be used within a span of 7 hours, as all of them were defective. Fortunately, my uncle recovered from that state and no more oxygen was required. I request the authorities to take necessary steps in ensuring that proper oxygen cylinders are brought in.
We are cleaning the rooms and toilets
Lastly, I would like to request everyone not to stigmatise the issue of being corona positive. It is very often seen that people make videos of corona positive patients being taken in ambulance and post it in social media with derogatory remarks. This is never expected from a civil society. We have to change our mentality of regarding corona patients and their family members as out-caste. Corona virus can get inside anybody irrespective of caste, gender, religion and economic status. Shaming and abusing anyone who is found positive is totally inhumane. We should instead encourage the patient to be mentally strong and help the family members as much as possible.
There are also people who are reluctant to get themselves tested even after developing symptoms. I would like to assure such people that there is nothing to feel ashamed of. Health is of utmost priority and living healthy is a bliss. Let us be responsible and come forward voluntarily for testing in case we find ourselves with symptoms or come in contact with any covid positive patient. Come, let us unite in the fight against this pandemic! Spread positivity, of course not the corona virus’ way !
**The author, Debashish Sharma is Assistant Professor, Deptt of Mathematics, G.C. College, Silchar. He was tested positive along with his wife and is now undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH).He and his wife Moon Mallick tested positive for Corona virus on 21st July 2020 and are undergoing treatment at Opthalmology ward of SMC.
I must offer my sincere thanks to the Government of Assam, particularly Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for trying their best to deal with this pandemic. We were provided a welcome kit consisting of new bucket, mug, “gamcha”, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, vitamin capsules, gas tablets, calcium tablets and Vitamin D3 tablets. I have received a lot of query from my well wishers regarding the food supplied to the patient. I feel this is the best platform to inform everyone of the menu that is being provided to us and put an end to rumours.
The food is quite good except that there is no variation in the menu. Sufficient mineral water bottles are also being provided. The government and SMCH authorities are really doing great with it. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not mention a word of appreciation for the health workers. Hats off to their dedication and hard work. It is really a difficult task to remain wearing a PPE kit in such hot and humid weather of Silchar. Doctors, nurses and helpers deserve special honour for offering their relentless service in such tough times under such challenging conditions. A number of doctors, medical students and employees of SMCH are also admitted with us after being tested positive, but I salute their courage and commitment . Being patients themselves, they helped in distributing food packets to everyone and were also ready to help other serious patients.
