Amidst this fright and anxiety that gripped Delhi with 36.2% Covid positivity rate and 2.54% Covid fatality rate, I witnessed a side of humans that is truly worthy of veneration. I was aware from the last wave of Corona in 2020 that several groups had worked intensely to provide basic meals for the poor, migrants, and their own community folks; yet, what I witnessed this time, was a human to human connect. With the ferocity of the viral attacks, Delhi residents realized that there was no time to waste, and the matter had to be taken in their own hands. While men and professionals grappled and tried to keep their businesses and jobs afloat, the women of varied calibre and interests, stepped up and set up a whole new, although informal, ‘Covid management support system’.
Conscientious Humanity
The WhatsApp that was a source of connectivity, work, and humour, had turned solemn with friends and neighbours reporting loss of lives, vulnerability, and fear. Likewise, my WhatsApp groups were inundated with covid related information i.e. numerous messages with information on where to procure oxygen tanks, critical medicines, hospitals with free beds, contact details for ambulances… I wondered if any of these numbers worked or are people busy forwarding just to portray their participation in these critical periods. As if to just assuage my doubts, I started coming across instances when someone from the group would reprimand the person to check before posting a message so to not mislead or disappoint those in need of the accurate information. Instantaneously, an apology would emerge and someone else would post the correct numbers/information. The egos were curbed, the consciences were cleansed, the genuineness prevailed.
Collective Nurturing
For the first time, I witnessed a populace – rich or poor, industrialist or professional, young or old, fit or ailing, gripped with the same uncertainty and insecurity. None was entirely safe, inside the house, or outside. The viral load was so hefty that it felt as if not just the air, but the thick brick walls of our concrete houses were penetrated by the vicious virus. I and my family were completely indoors since the April beginning and mostly disconnected (albeit the food and medical deliveries) from human contact, yet each one of us went through Covid symptoms, although our tests were negative.
With me (woman of the house) in isolation due to fever and associated maladies, we were caught off guard as to how does one manage household, and what steps to take next. This is when my residential area women’s WhatApp group came to my family’s rescue. This group was originally established for women to market and showcase their products. Without any formal notice, each woman wrapped up her economic interests, and turned into the deity who was single-mindedly focused on saving precious lives. They dedicated themselves to collection, authenticating, and prompt dispersal of critical information. Several of them remained on phone for 3-4 hours a day, merely verifying the phone numbers and availability of services. Some turned their kitchens into pantries to feed the families afflicted by Covid, especially when the women of the house were impacted. The meals were nutritious, easy on digestive system, safe, and delivered diligently at stipulated time, morning and evening!
Emerging Definitions of Divas…
On one hand, as reported and believed by many, Delhites were gripped with fear and resorted to inappropriate measures such as hoarding, accelerated pricing, etc., in several corners of the same city, foods, drinks, masks, and medical donations were pouring in for the poor and neglected. Tanvi collected the entire package of contributions and used her personal transport facilities to deliver the amenities to the families of cremation workers. She is a true entrepreneur. She raised volunteers who would cook meals in line with the guidelines provided by her, had them meticulously packed, and finally ensured timely delivery. I still remember that rainy night in the month of May (during the Tauktae cyclone) when she found no delivery person; yet, in a few minutes, there she was, standing drenched in front of my house, juggling with her umbrella and my dinner, under the thunderous sky. Those were the best meals of my life, prepared and delivered with every ounce of humanity and care.
I was nervous about my symptoms and restless anticipating the intensity of infections. It was lonely to be cut off from the rest of the family. Whoosh… stepped in Vinny! “Call up Dr. A. He may even provide you with free consultation.” While Dr. A handled my symptoms over the video calls, Vinny, religiously called me every evening to catch up and keep my spirits high. No lectures, no ‘gyan’…just chat, some humour, and a lot of human connection – a bond of unity and solidarity. She had all sorts of topics up her sleeves… how clever kids can be, things she was growing in her terrace garden, how to make manure, and the list went on. I was awed by her diligence and dedication…she spoke to me and a few people like me every day. She called me late in the evening, so I presume I was the last person she called for that day, and yet she brimmed with exuberance, focus and patience.
Along with me, my 11-year-old son contracted fever. He was also diagnosed with high lever enzymes. I felt flustered. I thought I had taken all precautions so to not impact my family, yet… Here was Kanika, gently and assiduously guiding me through the steps, constantly reminding me not to get anxious. She was a Covid volunteer since the last wave. One would presume that she would have guided and assisted people, as part of practice, and my case was just one of them. But it appeared as if Kanika had pledged to ward off the virus with the ferocity of a ‘dame in golden armour’. She poured open her contacts and relations of decades to assist people towards quick resolution. She steered me through accurate treatment, read the reports, remembered the critical points, remined me about follow ups…
Me: “No chemist seem to be delivering the meds…what do I do?”
Kanika: “Try this number….or never mind, I will call them for you. Your meds will reach home.”
Me: “Where do I go for tests?”
Kanika: “Call this fellow…give him my reference, he will reach your home.”
Me: “My son has high lever emzymes…”
Kanika: “Call Dr. K…HOD…he will know what to do.”
Me: “I can’t get through to the doctor…”
Kanika: “I will try his coordinator…don’t worry!”
Me: “My son is not eating anything…”
Kanika: “Lemme send pasta and French fries for him…”
Readers, mind you that these are the people I have probably just met ONCE face to face. Before the Covid struck, they were not my friends or family, but either they were my soul connections from an eternal past or there’s an alternate explanation to what transpired, which I am more convinced about – true human evolution and harmony are achieved during catastrophes. These are my ‘soul friends’ who showed the way that when you have, give; when you are well, nurture.
Monica (Managing Editor) is the quintessential researcher - she thrives on showcasing overlooked aspects that form the foundation blocks of people, places and issues. She is a social scientist by profession with masters in Economics and loves to travel.