If the Pandemic is a War, What does it mean to you?

Many rhetorics have been spread stating the pandemic is a war and it should not demean our spirits. The frontline medical staff are our warriors and they are precious. All these are true and laudable facts that everyone must subscribe to. But we also should not forget that after the shocking defeat of the 1962 war, the Govt decided to teach military preparedness at the student level with the introduction of the National Cadets Corps (NCC). NCC does not teach students to be soldiers to fight battles, it teaches self-defense and community protection where effects of the war affect the society; and most important self-discipline.

War is too important to be left to the generals — Georges Clemenceau

Similarly, this pandemic is too serious a business to be left to Govt. or medical practitioners, the generals entrusted. Every individual has a role to play. The most common protection suggested is social distancing and isolation of potentially infected or the infected. A lot has been talked of social distancing. My focus here is to help handle isolation.

Isolation

Isolation should not mean seclusion. There is every possibility that your isolated patient can face sudden deterioration of health and may need emergency medical attention. Since difficulty in breathing and lack of oxygen in the body are relatively common symptoms of the disease, the patient’s decision-making abilities can be affected as well during the illness. So, leaving the patient completely secluded is not an option.

The Environment

The isolation environment should have good air circulation and natural lighting, preferably with an independent attached bathroom and toilet. Thus, someone can stay there without needing to step out for a fortnight or the recommended period of isolation. A person can have his/her own utensils and the only time (s)he needs to contact the household is when (s)he puts the utensils outside, so that (s)he can be given hygienic home-cooked food and beverages. The person in isolation should be provided enough supplies to handle her needs for the whole isolation period to reduce contact and should be able to keep her belongings neat and clean. (S)he should have good communication and entertainment avenues to interact with the family and external world. Since it is perfectly free time for her, she can engage in the most desired hobby she always had in mind but never got the time. Most prominent leaders have produced their literary masterpieces in solitude. In the mobile age, I will consider a room with good ventilation, a balcony, and an attached toilet and bathroom as a good enough isolation environment.

Don’t be an Ostrich

When it comes to medical history, many people would tend to react, they do not know about the medicines they are consuming. They are not medical professionals, hence not expected to know these details, etc. These are not reasonable alibis but rather being foolish to yourself. Nothing can be worse than getting infected with COVID-19 with comorbidities. Doctors are so overwhelmed with patients that they cannot test every comorbidity condition. They will only discover when there are adverse reactions or complications. So when you know, it is best to describe all that you know. Let the doctor pick up the golden nuggets relevant to the treatment. Not only should you know your own medications but also everyone you will ever be responsible for as a friend and family member. Here are a few tips for you:

1. Keep all old prescriptions over the period of a year or so.
2. Keep all the medical test reports you have undergone in past one year at least and longer if you have.
3. Report on any major surgical procedure you have undergone.
4. If you have ever been diagnosed hypertensive or borderline hypertensive or diabetic or prediabetic and have not been on regular treatment, please consult your doctor; and on her advice get the necessary tests done and undergo treatment if suggested.
5. Know the diseases of your family members who are part of the same genetic makeup. Diabetes is a genetic disease; so parents and siblings suffering from it make you susceptible as well.
6. Make a note of all the medicines you are consuming regularly.
7. The chemical composition of the medicines — the medicines you consume may not be available in the stores. Be prepared for alternatives. Knowing the help of the chemical composition in such circumstances. Even doctors will not know all the brand names of medicines available in the market.
8. Do the same for all the family members and keep the records neatly where it is safe from any surface contamination.

Be Brave

Being brave is not about being stoic and claiming you will never contract the disease. Rather now that I know I have the disease, what can I do independently to keep my surroundings safe while I get the best medical attention as and when I need it. Learn about the symptoms of COVID-19, so that you can be given medical attention if your health deteriorates. Remove the fear of medical devices, needles, blood, or any such mental blockages you have. Ensure you can test all your vitals yourself. For example, if you are diabetic or a person with high blood pressure you should be able to measure your own:

1. blood glucose using a glucometer
2. blood pressure using a self-measuring equipment
3. oxygen saturation level using a finger pulse oximeter.
4. body temperature using a thermometer

Most people who are diabetic and are on insulin are encouraged to inject themselves insulin rather than needing assistance as long as they are physically capable to do so. This medical courage will go a long way in helping you, your family, and the ever strained nursing staff of your community. Physical disability can be an unfortunate limitation, but mental blockage or fear from medical devices, etc. is a definite liability at these times. Get over them as early as you can. Every educated adult in a family should be trained to operate the medical instruments they need for emergencies. Very much like the senior NCC cadets are trained to fire 10 to 20 rounds in a year. Secondly, be prepared to take your near and dear one to the hospital responsibly maintaining proper social distance in your personal vehicle. Emergency ambulance service may not be available through most municipal health departments are trying their best to offer the service. But, personal safety is most important while dealing with the illness of the near and dear ones, as there may be other lives that depend on you.

Dispose Safely

Ensure all the things potentially exposed are isolated, quarantined over a period of time before they are disposed of responsibly. If you don’t, you will likely dig a pit for someone near and dear.

Be Self-Sufficient

Every individual, as well as family, has a responsibility towards being atmanirbhar — do their own work. Isolation may also make your domestic help be cut off. Supplies to your home may need to be delivered at a distance based on the society, community, and govt. norms. Being transparent about your personal conditions makes everyone realize you are being responsible towards them and they come forward to help you better. That’s the best way to fight a pandemic.