Stay strong, Stay Confident share people who lost their loved ones to Covid19
Members of bereaved families call for people to stay indoors as COVID19 positive cases cross 5000 figure
Akash Dhanurkar
The recent meeting by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has forced the citizens in Pune to think before overcrowding or breaking social distancing norms as the Pune district has crossed the mark of 5000 positive patients a day in the last 24 hours. Pimpri Chinchwad resulting in 1811 positive patients while Pune city resulting in 3,286 positive patients.
However, amidst the rising cases, the death rate has stood low to 1 %, but the fatality count cannot be ignored. 30 patients have succumbed to COVID in the last 24 hours in the Pune district. Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar, has given an ultimatum to Pune city till April 1 to avoid any possibility of lockdown. The decision of lockdown will be taken on April 1.
However, Pune Pulse decided to reach the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones to the COVID – 19 in the last couple of days as second wave is knocking the doors.
Nitin Swamy, who lost his father a month ago in PCMC, now tested negative for the COVID said, “The pain of losing our lived ones in this situation is unbearable. The people need to understand that the virus cannot be taken lightly even if the fatality rate is low. Everything is dicey. So, it is better to take precautions than suffer.”
Sanket Suryakant Surve, a resident of Vishrantwadi, who recently lost his father to COVID said, “Believe in Government hospitals. They are the actual ones working tirelessly for us. I lost my father, but I would want the world to care about themselves. Don’t unnecessarily step out of your houses. The fatality rate is just a number, but every life matters.”
Rahul Dalvi, a resident of Viman nagar, who lost his friend to the COVID, said, “We had fought the COVID and then it arose suddenly and abruptly. This is because of our negligence. We took the virus for granted and second wave came into existence. I lost my best friend, (requested anonymity for his friend), but I hope the world doesn’t want anyone among you. Ensure you follow all the guidelines by the government.”
Pune Pulse reached out to the dean of Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial hospital, Rajendra Wabale, who opined: “Talking about the statistics of the situation, if 10 out of hundred reach the hospital for COVID treatment, then those ten patients suffer a lot. Unfortunately, post-Covid syndrome severely affects their life. The citizens must make sure that they don’t count themselves in those ten people and hence they should avoid going out for no reason. People must eat good, stay fit and avoid getting out. Precautions are better than thinking about the complications.
Vani Duggal, a psychologist, while sharing her thoughts for the families, quoted: “COVID 19 is not a normal situation and we need to understand and accept that in this tough time. Demise of a loved one is not an easy situation, whatever the time might be. However, we need to understand that they fought and they were strong. We all need to be strong currently and that’s something we need to wakeup to everyday. Strength and support are 2 things we need to focus on currently. Accepting that these are tough times and unpredictable, is the gateway for us to make the most of our times with our loved ones.”
“Death of beloved one always extremely traumatic. During pandemic covid it was still severe.
The most valuable way of coming out of grief is to talk and vent out the emotional distress. Letting them know not to get in guilt, making social connect , engaging in some soothing activities.
Even remembering the one who passed away also may help to vent the emotions and with time slowly coming out of grief, ” said Dr Anuradha Harkare, Founder, Mind catalyst study and counselling centre.
