Nisarga & other Vulnerabilities that Mumbai is facing in 2020

Nisarga & other Vulnerabilities that Mumbai is facing in 2020

Nisarga Cyclone hits Mumbai - Another resilience test  of Mumbaikars during the covid19 crisis?
Is it possible that God tests the person most whom he loves the most?
I remember, when I was in school and could not complete my work, if I fell sick. I used to say :” Why “ Why God, it is happening to me? My mom used to answer “भगवान पृथ्वी पर लोगों की परीक्षा लेते हैं” (God takes examination of people on the earth). Yes, I am a strong and firm believer in God. He tests those who have the courage to bear the tests. He does that so that you become an inspiration and example for others.   I am Mumbaikar (people of Mumbai) since last twenty years. Mumbaikars are the people of Mumbai are considered to be a lively, tireless lot who are streamlined for a fast-paced life in the city. Colloquially known as 'Mumbaikars' or 'Bombayites', the inhabitants of this city are often considered as hard-working, cultural, witty, modern people, who are passionate about their lives and are very approachable. God always takes examination of Mumbaikars such as fighting against terror attacks, bearing heavy rains each year, every day fight of catching local train to reach office, etc. etc.
Year 2020 is a special year (pandemic year) and God is taking examination of people across the world. As Mumbai is all time favourite of  God so in this Pandemic year God has again chosen Mumbai to test. Mumbai is hot spot of COVID and highest in number of cases in India. As per Maharashtra Government website:  Mumbai has 1,577 death and more than 47000 COVID positive cases. As Mumbaikars are always a fighter in spirit, they are attempting to fight with this. But God has prepared another test for Mumbaikars- Cyclone Nisarga test.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday, May 31st  issued a red-colour coded warning to coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat for June 3 in view of a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea. The National Disaster Response Force team, along with the BMC evacuated local residents near the seashore in Mumbai and nearby places and did all necessary measures for facing the cyclone.  All residents/common people were praying to their God and Goddesses. God listens prayers of all devotees and  Mumbai was spared from major damage from Cyclone Nisarga. After the severe storm, changed direction slightly and made a landfall near Alibaug (Raigad), about 110 km from Mumbai. 

As always happen after each calamity, visit of politicians, Government officials and other authorities. Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thakre with his son Aditya Thakre and other Government officials visited Alibag on 5th June to assess the extent of the damage -- caused by cyclone Nisarga that made landfall on June 3rd.  After his visit, Chief Minister Udhav Thakre  announced an emergency relief of Rs 100 crore for Raigad due to the damage caused by cyclone Nisarga.  How much fund will reach to “needy”, only God will know, because he has prepared all the test for Mumbaikars.

Anyways, I am lucky to have very caring friend and colleagues around the world, who keep on sending best wishes during all these crisis (test by God). We are doing good as of now.

In last I can say,  “we are safe but facing “Nisarga” was scary for a few hrs. This was my first lifelong experience.  God saved us, as Mumbai is already having the highest number of COVID cases in India”.

A real-life story of Comorbid health professional(s) during Covid 19

A real-life story of Comorbid health professional(s) during Covid 19

It is easy to give statements or announce charity. But let’s learn and look in to real life stories of health professionals. These stories not capturing any media headlines. So here I like to share with you the story I have been part of as it is the story of my close friend working in Government Medical College in Mumbai. On May 4, Dr TP Lahane, Director of  Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), through a notification, asked health professionals to mandatorily serve at hospitals treating COVID-19 patients for at least 15 days or face action. Doctors have been advised to convey their willingness and place of choice where they would like to work with Dr Milind Kamble, protocol and liaison officer at the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner’s Office. Doctors above the age of 55 years and those with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, other heart ailments have been exempted from this duty.

Doctors had  to fill a form stating their eligibility, Maharashtra Medical Council registration number, their current posting and the preferred place to serve COVID-19 patients and mail it to BMC.

My friend, a Professor in Government Medical College (run by BMC) teaches Anatomy. As a compulsory notice, he also completed the form. He declared his health status  as  hypertensive, a comorbid condition. Being a comorbid, my friend feels  that he is unable to go to COVID ward for  duty with his colleagues. But he takes it in a positive way and took responsibilities of his colleagues  working with Covid ward. He does other departmental duties e.g;  online classes, group teaching, checking assignment etc, which was assigned to his junior colleagues.

The hospital is a hybrid hospital, where covid and non-covid patients visit. The hospital is always in news for good and bad news. These days, it is shown in one or other news channel. It is one of the oldest civic hospital which was constructed during British rule  in 1920. Going on duty  to a hybrid hospital ( COVID, non COVID ward) is as it is very  risky for comorbid people.
Health professional says , “Covid is so much visible, highlighted in media by each and every news channel and  Govt has taken so many steps for protection’’ . Now we need to  take precautions e.g; wearing masks and follow physical distancing etc. But Mumbai was always on high risks, health of its population such as  drug resistance tuberculosis and other diseases . People travel in a crowded local train without knowing health conditions of other passengers.

During his daily journey to  the hospital , my friend has to get down at  Shivari station where lot of  people get down to visit  Shivari TB hospital ., ‌He says,  “ If you are frightened of any disease,  It makes even  more difficult for health professionals”. He cited an example that when thermal screening started at the airports as per GOI guidelines in March, it created a scare in the minds of passengers. Many carried  paracetamol with them and had within  flights to avoid getting caught   in the thermal temperature screening.  This way , normal people and others with symptoms got mixed and might have  spread  the virus in  general public.
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We should highlight the case of staff of Zee news where   an employee was not feeling well and went for testing and was found  Covid positive and then  they tested all employees out  of which  28 employees were positive. This type of honesty is needed in all of us.

Some accessories added to wear in daily life:

N 95 Mask

head cap

Cotton face mask