Like all of you know, the world is currently being shaken by the coronavirus pandemic. Many people have to quarantine themselves in their houses so that the virus doesn't spread widely as the number of infected people continues to grow. Dreadful news is spread everywhere on the television or even on social media. Doctors and medical nurses also continue to cure patients even to the point where many of them become infected. Unfortunately, I understand a bit about what is going on these days because of my horrifying experience 9 years ago. When I was 6 years old, my life was suddenly at death's door. I was looking forward to the zoo trip in 4 days but suddenly, I became very ill. My parents brought me to the doctor and in his terrifying room, I was diagnosed with a very contagious and dangerous disease. Diphtheria. To be honest, I had no idea what was happening at that time because I didn't understand the conversation between the doctor and my parents. The funny thing is, I even thought that it was my mother or my father who was sick because it was the first time I saw my parents cry in front of me. I was rushed to the hospital because my doctor said that if I didn't get medicine right away, they had to bring me to surgery so I could breathe normally and had enough oxygen. The moment that made me understood that I was the sick person was when the nurse stuck IV fluids into my hand and I cried hysterically. I was barely breathing, I lost count how many times I vomit that day, and every inch of my body hurt. I was very scared, I didn't want to die but I thought that I would die that day. I was quarantined in a small isolation room, my mother and I stuck in the room for 14 days. I was so weak, I only slept, watched TV, or stared at the only window where I could see the other isolation rooms, with other fighters in it. After 3 days of being quarantined, I saw a boy who was a year older than me, and he was going into his isolation room. He was smiling at me. It turns out that we were fighting the same disease, and his room was 20 feet away from my room. Since we met that day, we got to know each other and continued to communicate using papers and markers. Even though we couldn't meet in person, we were very eager to talk to each other because we were very bored in the room. We write words of encouragement to strengthen one another, but also complaints about our condition at that time. But mostly, I was very happy that I was not going through this alone. Every day, there would be nurse or doctors came in wearing PPE clothes to check on me, or just to give me food. Some of them were friendly and some of them were not. But there was one nurse who I adored entirely. While the other nurses entered my room just to do their jobs and didn't care how I was feeling, this nurse was very patient, she would always say loving words to make me stronger, and she usually hugged me before she did her job. I felt the comfort and the calming sincerity which strengthen me to fight this disease and be a normal person again. I didn't know why that nurse wanted to be very kind to me, but the small thing that she did had a big impact on me. In fact, I will forever owe her and remember her in my heart. While I was still quarantined in the isolation room, my father and my brother would communicate with me using Face time, they would tell me stories and their activities every day, I missed them dearly. My classmate also sent me a few letters with their prayers written there. I was very grateful that even tough in my dreadful condition, there were many people who care about me, and didn't leave me. Until this day, I still hope that this dreadful experience didn't happen to me but whatever I do, I can't go back and change the past. But when I see it from the bright side, that dreadful experience made me realized how valuable the life I am living in, and also the life that could end anytime unexpectedly. I realized that I have to make the most of every moment for the rest of my life. I learn to respect and love others sincerely, like everyone that made me overcome my difficult times. This world will be very beautiful with tolerance and affection. Every day, I say ‘I love you' to my parents before going to bed. Maybe saying ‘'I love you' is a simple thing to do, but those 3 words contain a very deep meaning and can bring a big "impact" to others. Love gives the strength to transform pain into power. Love is the key that we need to get through anything, including this corona virus pandemic.
Coronavirus is a virus that first emerged in Wuhan, China. A whole global pandemic is going on, and it has affected everyone's life in various ways. The whole world is locked down, and no normal life activity is the same as before. We all are living a quarantine life i.e. a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived here from elsewhere or been exposed to the infectious or contagious disease are placed. Let's utilize this time and get a hold of ourselves. Change your thought and perspective about quarantine life. Instead of feeling like you are locked up, think about all the amazing things you can do during this pandemic. Of course, amazing things inside your home! “Stay Home, Stay Safe” During this lockdown, observe your surroundings. Feel the beauty of nature, water your indoor plants, look after yourself, take care of yourself, look out of the window, enjoy and observe the view. You don't enjoy observing the view outside your window? No problem! Enter the world of imagination and close your eyes to think about a beautiful place that you have visited or a made-up place in your mind. Or you can make your window view better by adding some decoration pieces or plants. Due to Covid-19 gyms are closed. Some people working out at home is quite hard. Some people may lack equipment, and some may require motivation. For the people who lack equipment such as lifting weights and treadmill, YouTube has an endless list of work out videos without any equipment. All you need to do is find the right video for yourself and set up your workout routine! Another thing for a daily activity that has been disturbed due to this pandemic is going to school, college, university, and offices. Assignments, homework, lectures are all now being held online. Some people think that online classes are not as effective. It has its pros and cons. Pros: no need to travel, the comfort of being at home, not having to dress up for school, and the list go on. Cons are that not every student gets the same attention as they did in a classroom and financial issues due to the pandemic. You might be familiar with the zoom app and google classroom if you have been attending your online classes. Both of these apps are a medium of file transferring and communicating between students and teachers. Let's discuss some life outside our homes. Our neighbors, who are also quarantine due to this whole pandemic situation, are going through the same experience as we are. Maybe they are going through some hardships (be it financially or emotionally). As said by many people, "your duty towards your neighbor is to aid him in times of difficulty, to offer him sincere advice, and to protect him and his property in his absence." COVID-19 symptoms and how to prevent it According to studies, the virus has an incubation period of 2 weeks, and after that, the symptoms appear. Most common symptoms • Fever • Dry cough • Tiredness Less common symptoms • Aches and pains • Sore throat • Diarrhea • Headache • Conjunctivitis • Loss of taste and smell • Discoloration of fingers, toes, etc. Here is a list of severing symptoms: • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • chest pain or pressure • loss of speech or movement If you are facing these major symptoms and if it is getting worse, seek medical assistance, and do not rely on self-medication. If your symptoms are mild and can be taken care of at home, then stay at home and treat the virus. But do you know what's better than treatment? Prevention. Here are some precautionary measures which are suggested by health organizations: 1. Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer whenever you come in contact with a person or an object from outside. 2. Maintain social distancing by keeping a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. 3. Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you are visiting places such as grocery stores, etc. 4. Stay home if you are unwell. Seek medical assistance if symptoms of coronavirus are visible. 5. Sneeze and cough into your elbow. If you have any sick family members and friends at the hospital, stay strong, and keep on checking on them by texting them or calling them and letting them know that you are always there for them. Encourage them to be strong and that they can overcome the virus. If you have any sick family members or friends with mild virus symptoms, then look after them as a health care provider. Maintain social distance but do not make them feel isolated and alone. Support them emotionally and look after their diet. If, unfortunately, you lose a friend, pray for their soul and their family. Support their family emotionally through these hard times. I will like to conclude the article by suggesting you stay home and stay safe. Find some indoor activities to keep you busy and entertained.