At the beginning of 2020, when the news of a new pandemic came to light, I was just turning 18. I was scared for myself and my family. My first instinct was to cancel all plans just to be at home in a safe shell. I spent the next few months in a constant state of caution and anxiety. It somewhat undermined many new experiences — the experience of getting my license when I turned 18, the first-year experience of college life on campus, a “new-found freedom” that comes with becoming an adult, and more.
In retrospect, I wasn’t that upset about these restrictions because they did make me feel like a responsible student and citizen, doing my best to protect myself and those around me. But then a month ago, I tested positive for COVID-19. The irony was that I hadn’t gone out in ages! I wasn’t the first person I knew that had this experience, a few other friends that never went out still tested positive. Funnily enough, many others who threw precaution out the window were doing fine living life to the fullest. While I‘m glad they didn’t catch the virus, it seemed like I’d spent a whole year worrying about nothing.
Luckily, I didn’t have any severe symptoms. A slight fever, blocked nose, and loss of smell was the worst that I experienced during my quarantine period. After unexpected incidents like this, people often change their beliefs to take more risks and live life “in the moment.” Admittedly, that was my first thought too — to relax a little, start going out more, and not worry so much about COVID-19 in general. After all, I caught the virus and recovered from it. What’s the worst that could happen, right? The answer to that is a lot worse could’ve happened.
For the past few weeks, we’ve all seen the news of the second and third waves of the pandemic hitting India. As someone that has family and friends there, it’s been devastating to watch. It’s scary just to look up articles. The numbers that reach a new high record every single day don’t feel real anymore. Numbers and figures dehumanize the actual pain behind every single loss. When I sit and think about it, it’s just pure luck and privilege that I can turn my back on that situation to protect my mental health because I live in a country where the crisis is currently under control. I’m lucky that I can get a vaccine for free because the UAE gives me that privilege. I’m lucky that the cases here haven’t hit such high records that we no longer have spaces in hospitals to treat them. That’s not the case for everyone. And we need to remember that when we start to relax our precautionary measures, thinking COVID-19 isn’t a big deal anymore.
The truth is that there’s still a lot we need to know about the virus and even more to improve how it can be treated. While we can’t stop living life, and we definitely shouldn’t be living in a state of constant anxiety and dread, we mustn’t let our guard down yet. If we do, and if we allow cases to surge faster, so will the mutations. Thus, creating new strains and new problems for our healthcare systems.
The responsibility of dealing with this virus cannot fall solely on frontline workers, healthcare, governments, and major institutions — it falls on our shoulders too. If we’re consciously careful and continue to protect others by taking precautions even after being vaccinated — we’ll be taking a step towards defeating COVID-19.
Finally, if you do find yourself manifesting COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild, get tested! It’s the only way to alert those around you, especially those at high risk, to take more measures and isolate to keep others safe. Even the mild symptoms can be exhausting in the end, so make sure to focus on your health and rest, at least during your quarantine period. I don’t believe there is a set way to recover from COVID-19, but the very obvious things are to follow your doctor’s instructions, complete all doses of prescribed medications even after the symptoms disappear unless your doctor tells you to stop, and the old but effective “steam” and hot fluids technique of combating colds.