Farmers Movement Archive

‘Took all precautions, yet caught unawares’

"On December 30, 2020, I began feeling a bit uneasy and had severe pain in my knee joints. I also began feeling very cold and was almost shivering. I was alone at home, as my husband had gone to the Singhu border and my son, too, was in Delhi. The next day, I had 101°F fever. I spoke to my sister, who is a doctor and she said it could be Covid. I called my husband to ask whether I should go get tested and he advised me to wait for a day."The next day, I had 103°F fever and the knee pain persisted. I had been avoiding an analgesic, but I finally applied it and to my surprise, I could not catch its smell. That was when I felt I may have contracted the virus. To check again, I applied a perfume and I couldn't smell it too! I also observed that I wasn't able to taste food properly that day. There was no room for any doubt. Now, the next step was to go get tested, but how? I was not in a condition to drive myself and my husband and son had not returned yet! My husband's friend Rajesh Bali came as a big help. He called a private laboratory and the technician came to collect my sample from home. The report came after 15-16 hours on my cellphone and as expected, it came out positive."Managing everything else was the next concern. I had already informed my maid not to come till I tell her, two days ago. I even asked my husband and son, who were on their way back home, not to come and stay with me. I did not want them to contract the infection from me. In the meantime, I got some medicines home-delivered. Soon, I received a kit from the government as well that had everything, including a thermometer, oxymeter, steamer, cough syrup, medicines and even the schedule to take those pills. I used to get regular calls from the staff at CHC, Lamma Pind Chowk, asking about my condition and they used to guide me as well. I told my husband and son to get tested, which they did. While my husband came out negative, my son tested positive. So, he joined me at home."Two days later, a doctor told my husband that he could go home, but he should preferably stay in a separate room. As a precaution, I used to wipe off all surfaces, which my son and I had touched, with a disinfectant. Even my husband washed his hands frequently. My son, who is an engineering student, had to miss his third semester examination owing to Covid. His college authorities cooperated and they allowed him to appear for the test after he tested negative later. Even now, I feel a bit weak and exhausted after doing little work. My school staff, too, has been extremely supportive, as they have allowed me to take classes from home even though physical classes have started at school."

The Tribune

2021-01-31