Today is Day 6 of the “lockdown”, a term, I had heard earlier concerning industrial settings where a lockdown was declared by the management. Due to a financial crisis or by the union leaders when their demands were not met. Until recently, ( as a result of watching movies of the 90s), the word lockdown was very distant and seemed unrelated to my life. In the first week of March, all the news channels were flooded with breaking news…. Two Covid 19 positive patients are identified in India out of which one was from Telangana.

Coincidentally, I was in Hyderabad at that time and felt I must be very cautious about my movement through the city. By the end of that week, quite a few people went into panic mode. And canceled their domestic trips and preferred to stay at home, meaning hometown. At the back of our minds, many of us thought it would be difficult to move about from one city to another. As the flights were getting canceled. Students staying in hostels away from home rushed back in anticipation.

And when our prime minister appealed to the citizens of the country to stay indoors and observe “Janta Curfew”. A very attractive adage given to a mandatory task. Which he said would last only for a day which was a Sunday, everyone was so excited. Maybe he was preparing his countrymen for the clampdown ahead. Imagine spending the entire day indoors that too on a Sunday. Not even venturing out for the customary weekend break from home-cooked bland food. And to top it all clap, tap, ring, or banging for the frontline workers who were braving the calamity.

Those included the doctors, the nursing staff, the paramedics, and the Police personnel. I am sure all of them took it with a pinch of salt….ek din tali, baki din gali, is what we have become used to. And my WA groups, almost all of them are medico groups, barring a few family groups, sent sarcastic punches. We don’t ask for applause for our duty, what we ask for is dignity at the workplace etc. etc. However, the worst (or best) was yet to come. Govt. of Maharashtra declared that this curfew would be extended till 31st March which meant no work for almost 10 days. The next day was working as usual flooded Monday OPD and a long OT list. We were worried about the well-being of ourselves, our staff, and the patients too.

Modiji’s second address to the nation in four days was too much to bear. When PM Modiji talks to the Janta at 8 pm, expect something drastic was the mood of the nation. As expected, he extended the period of lockdown to 21 days till 15th April. The golden era of life began. Some started hoarding groceries and vegetables while others ran to catch hold of the medicines and other essential commodities. The lives of Indian citizens after the lockdown had various hues and shades. The white-collared IT professionals, who were the original definers of this enticing term, “work from home”. Were at ease as they were accustomed to it.

I mean the wife could bear with the man of the house doing his office work from the cozy confines of home. Without having to endure the long and tiring commute and vice versa. Their children had pretty much gotten used to such schedules and they were not excited except for the fact they had been promoted to the next class without facing the monster in the guise of examination. And the lady of the house was elated as she didn’t have to make these little rascals sit and mug up for that coveted ‘A’ grade.

However, all was not well in this fairytale as the lady of the house didn’t have her domestic help, the quintessential maid. Who has a magic wand with which she can play with the moods of the entire family? So she is on edge saying- Sara Kam Muze Hi Karna Padta Hai. And defining the roles of all the members of the house. Meanwhile, I happened to meet a teacher. Who ruled that although the schools are closed to students, the teachers had to show up. And some institutions went on to start video lessons too.

I haven’t had a chance to interact with the youth in the past week, except for my two sons. One of whom, a first-year medic is relaxing at home with gadgets in place to bide time, a call to friends now and then. No clue as to when the second term exam will commence which was postponed and enjoying the solitude. The elder one, an intern in Govt. Medical College has no excuse but to go to the hospital every day. To prove that he too is a frontline soldier at war and has to perform the duty of doffing. His hospital attire white coat included and bathing routine after he comes back home.

He has to meticulously follow the nontouch technique and frequent hand hygiene. I guess the urban youth is smart and well-informed and would not defy the decree. But would make the most of the time that they have to themselves except for the fact. That hanging out with friends may have assumed the form of a ‘hangout ‘ group or something similar. The doctors are a frightened lot, Kya Kare Kya Na Kare, so many suggestions about whom to believe and what to follow. Would the Hydroxychloroquine and  Azithromycin prophylaxis be effective or prolong the QTc interval accelerating the impending doom, too much on their minds at the moment?

Our fraternity read Anesthesia, is too confused, on one hand, we have learned how to don and doff the PPE and virtually rehearsed it in our minds ( as real ones are not yet available). We have logged on to various webinars to learn the settings of ventilator support and oxygen therapy required. So that we are well prepared for the call of duty if and when called ( a message is doing rounds that all private practitioners will have to volunteer to work). There is a certain feeling of uneasiness at this point and we are secretly praying that this phase too shall pass soon.

Then others take it upon themselves to defy orders which perhaps boosts their machoism. Can’t stay indoors for long, seriously? If it’s only about you going and banging your head but what about other people who surround you, your family, and your neighbors who will be put at unnecessary risk due to your irresponsible behavior? How can’t you stay put when the survival of humanity is at risk? I happened to read The Anne Frank Diary when I was young. I couldn’t believe that a girl all of thirteen had to stay in a cramped secret enclosure. With seven other inmates without seeing the light of day for two long years where she grew up to be a young woman. Only had a few clothes which she outgrew fast and a scarce supply of food.

I couldn’t resist and visited the place and one has to see it to believe it. Since the gravity of the situation hasn’t been donned on some of these daredevils. They will certainly take the countrymen to dooms. And mother nature has had a breather after a long time. She has stopped huffing and puffing, unlike the Covid 19 patient. Resulting in the pollution levels having gone down to 50 ppm in all the metros. This lockdown has done the alchemy which odd and even could not. I can hear the birds chirping which would otherwise drown in the daily din. Besides I have time to sit back and appreciate the beauty of Mother Earth. The luxury which I never allowed myself except on a holiday which again meant running after the pre-programmed itinerary. Our Sundays are busier than the usual working days with CMEs, social commitments, and household chores.

Friends! We are on the verge of a catastrophe. If the news channels and statistics are to be believed we will get such quality time for ourselves. And with the family ever again! So let’s make the most of it. Hope for the best. #Stayhome #Staysafe.

Dr. Manisha Shembekar
MD, DA
Joint Managing Director
Omega Hospital, Nagpur