How Harrowing is Omicron?

I woke up in the night with severe body ache and throat pain. It was not unnerving, but  I did reach for the oximeter with the looming thoughts of Covid. Pleased with the oxygen levels, I went back to sleep. Ultimately, all of us tested positive and had to isolate ourselves at home. We are out of it appreciating simplicity more than ever. The strength of friendship knocked on our door in the form of our neighbour. The lady went all out to bring us hot healthy meals at our doorstep to help us recover fast. It is a delight to sip hot soup in the foggy morning when you cannot gather strength even to sit up due to the breaking body aches. She is an inspiration who kept aside individuality to help the distressed.

When we were on the verge of normalcy, Omicron struck us like a sledgehammer, back to the peripheries of our homes. Skepticism and weariness have hit the world again. Omicron is disseminating like wildfire, nonetheless less severe. We cannot lose caution and wander about violating the Covid protocol, increasing the load and exposure to the health workers. I had first-hand experience with the selfless and devoted health workers who are Godsend healers providing care fully aware of the repercussions of the exposure of the virus. 

The forced disruptions of the last two years have made us reevaluate our life. The affinities with loved ones assumed precedence over material desires, proficient in health matters, we are tucking the right vitamins to stay afloat in pandemic times. Deep abdominal breathing alleviates anxiety and relaxes the muscles. Infusing some celebration in the mundane can be a pleasant break as prioritising health and happiness is more important than ever. Clear focus with a structured day keeps us calm too.

Our true character is laid bare during this struggling time. The profound change in our lives should not make us cynical, and we should look for hope, hope that it is over soon. The sense of uncertainty and exhaustion of the last two years has taken a toll on our mental health too. Economic struggle and hardships on many are back-breaking.

Some of the questions intruding our minds are, will the flu-like symptoms prevail, and will everyone contact it? Is this the beginning of the end of the pandemic? The transmission is less severe with vaccinations continuing to protect, while unvaccinated are at higher risk. We understand Covid and how to live with it, but it is not the endgame, as many people are still not vaccinated. We are still on a bumpy road, so we must gear with vaccination and work together to leave the virus out of the race. 

Since we cannot prevent infection, vaccination, mask, and social distancing is a way of life till the time floodwaters of the virus recede and ultimately diminish and evaporate. We have to work together to come out of it. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation, points out, “As we enter the third year of this pandemic, I’m confident that this will be the year we end it – but only if we do it together.”    

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