Musings from the Corona bed

Adversities make one appreciate the joys inherent in the mundaneness of life which otherwise one takes for granted

"I am sorry, because of me you have also now caught it," my husband was saying. 'It' being Covid 19. My husband was diagnosed positive some days back. I had immediately informed the RWA of the society where we stay and from that night onwards we were in home quarantine. Both of us, our neurospecial daughter and her full time nanny. The world had suddenly narrowed down to our apartment for the four of us.

Local health authorities had come some days later to take the sample for the rest of us.They had called and apprised him about our results. Fortunately my daughter and the nanny were fine. Strictly wearing masks inside the house and confining activities to specific rooms had helped. I was the only one who was going to the room my husband was confined to, to take care of his meals, room cleaning, medicines and other requirements. Wearing masks and gloves.

I looked at my life partner. Unlike me, he hasn't been going to office and both of us have been taking utmost precautions the one day of the week when we stepped out for grocery shopping for the week. But then the pandemic is raging ahead in our country and finding more avenues to seep into everyone's daily lives, notwithstanding the denial mode of the powers that be. As a country, we are way past the contact tracing stage, but that's another story.

My result wasn't a surprise to either of us, I had been showing symptoms- fever, blocked nose, weakness-for the last couple of days. Just like any other married couple, there are times when we hope that the other person says sorry more often. But this wasn't such an occasion. "This isn't your fault and no need to say sorry. Covid is a disease and can happen to anybody. Contracting it is unfortunate and not a crime. In any case, this doesn't change anything, we were in quarantine and will continue to be so." I was emphatic and am firm in my. Alas, it seems that I am in minority.

There is so much stigma and fear factor associated with Covid which makes even the simple decision of opting for the test seems like a courageous decision- or a foolish one- depending on which side of the spectrum one views it from. There were many within family and friends who advised not to go for test since the signs were mild, the after effects- quarantine, lack of household support, intrusion by end no of authorities, the stigmatization- will be more painful than the disease itself. Self isolation in one room, having lots of vitamins and natural immunity boosters with hot water was the way to go, as per well wishers. Probably it was, but it would not have been morally and ethically correct. As law abiding and responsible members of the society we have certain duties, and I am proud of the fact that my husband opted for the right, even if inconvenient, path. Truth is invariably difficult.

Over the last few days, I have been amused and amazed in equal measures by human behavior. Thanks to the bridge in the digital age- the ubiquitous mobile- there were multiple phone calls from end number of authorities- ranging from healthcare people, authorities in our residential society, office helplines to even the local police station. The local intercom at my house started buzzing with calls from well meaning but curious fellow residents and the mobile rang with calls from our respective workplace colleagues. One common thread ran through all these conversations- query on whether my husband was going to office. An exclamation of amazement always followed the answer. "Then where did the virus came from?" being the follow up question. Some people suggested that since I have been going to office (twice a day to be exact, with all due precautions), I must have caught the virus and passed on to him! Never mind the fact that I got the symptoms four days after him, that I have been wearing mask, gloves and applying sanitizer, that the organization I work for was providing a sanitized, regulated and protected environment for all the employees coming to office and strictly limiting occupancy- a company which is capable of providing a secure environment across the properties it manages is surely well equipped to take care of its own employees after all. But then panic often throws logic out of the window. At a time when India Inc is trying its best to get back to business amidst the unprecedented and uncertain environment on its own, most are finding it convenient to lay the blame at its doors. As an integral part of corporate India it saddens me.

So does the behavior of some of my fellow human beings. I had called my part time cleaning help and told her to quarantine herself for some days as a precautionary measure, as per the rules of the society. She also worked for other houses here. When she called to inform other employers of her inability to come, she was either blamed for this happening or the fact that she 'chose to work in the house where Corona struck.' Her services were terminated. Condemned for no sin of hers; I can make up for her lost earnings during this month when she joins back after our quarantine ends, but will not be able to rationalize the behavior of my fellow gentry. At present, I have no credible answer to her question regarding her fault in all this.

I am equally grateful for the silver linings. For living in a society which has been cooperation personified- in the quarantine we can order whatever essentials we require and the security guards at the tower deliver it at our door and intercom us to open the door and take delivery. For the Work colleagues cum friends who are concerned enough to enquire daily and genuinely listen. For the close friends who have been in touch daily. For the colleague who on his own purchased and delivered four doses of medicinal boosters for my household at my society to be delivered to me-notwithstanding the fact that he stays at the other end of the city and seldom ventures out of his home otherwise. My understanding manager and work team for respecting my choice to continue working but at my own pace and convenience during this time, without undue pressure on delivery. My amazing full time househelp who told me very firmly that she would continue to look after my daughter and step in to do the additional household work during this time (this was before my daughter and she was tested) and will not confine herself to her room. God for taking care of my daughter during this time- it would have been triply difficult to take care of an autistic child suffering from Covid. For the moral support from both set of my parents and close relatives. Last but definitely the most important - my spouse - for looking after me well during the period. While during the initial stage I was the caregiver, the roles have now got reversed. From constantly reminding me to take medication on time, to feeding me soups, fruits and milk, to patiently asking me to take more rest than I have been taking; we have become cheerleaders for each other during this phase. All the decisions that we take in our life are half chances, and I am fortunate that my most important decision of choosing my life partner has been the right one. My world may have been confined and will continue to be so to the four walls of my home for a few days, but then people I am at home with are my world.

Above all, I have come to appreciate the that it is the simple things in life that makes up its charm. My aspirations were quite different 6 months back. Now my strongest desire is to breathe in the open air without wearing masks, greet friends fearlessly with a handshake and make it to my brother's wedding-which is in another city- without having to wear face masks and shields. Unfortunately it took a pandemic for me to understand the significance of the mundane. Fortunately it is never too late, either in fiction or life, to re-pivot and revise. 

This article is written in a strictly personal capacity