It’s been more than a year since the outbreak of coronavirus in India. The ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 proved to be more deadly than the first one; an outbreak that destroyed lives as we have never seen before. Besides that, black, white, and yellow fungus, the new post covid fungi made it even difficult for everyone.
To date, it’s been nearly 17 months since India recorded its first case. For the first time in centuries, everything was shut down for months. Some people received a “holiday” they have not thought of in years, some switched careers and everyone had a “pause” in their lives. But, the only people who are not privileged enough to get the “break” or even a minute of leisure are health care workers.Doctors, Nurses have been on the edge since the outbreak. This unexpected pandemic has made health care employees take charge of an unprepared deadly virus.
They would have treated a virus that they haven’t heard of nor do they know the treatment to, but are left with no option. Knowing that the virus spreads through contact did not make them step back from their duty. With the fear of contracting the virus to their family, they stayed away from them for months, some in alternate places, some in cars.
They had no option but to take in patients more than their capacity knowing the seriousness of the situation.“Cricket ball-sized black fungus removed from Man’s brain in Bihar by doctors, the patient completely stable,” “India has the highest number of recoveries in the world,” “Severe black fungus cases decrease in Hyderabad,” Such headlines in the news are only because of the hard work of thousands of doctors who risk their lives every minute to save the infected.
Even after knowing that the increasing number of patients cannot be accommodated, doctors are doing 20-hour shifts to protect them in every way possible.But,“ Patient’s family harasses doctors in Delhi,”“ Hospital is attacked by relatives of a patient who died with COVID,” “Minister fires on doctor for not saving a patient in front of media, doctor resigns,” Are unfortunately the statements we had to hear and read. Such incidents break the self-confidence of health care providers who are risking their lives, working more than their capacity just to save the lives of those unknown to them.
It is time we respect the contributions made by them, protect their dignity, and punish the ones who disrespect them.