You don’t have to be attractive to make heads turn in a crowd. One untimely sneeze and you became the epicenter of public attention!! Some eyeing you with suspicion, some praying to god to disallow the air-borne virus from entering his/her system and a few benevolent souls praying for your health and vitality.
Gone are the days when one would swell in pride announcing the arrival of their NRI relatives to homeland for a vacation. Now, they are better off in their foreign abode. Indian hospitality now includes not just the ‘tika’ and ‘arati’; but also screening and frisking in its antecedent levels. Amidst the bleak picture, one finds solace as the awareness of personal hygiene is steadily rising in the city.
All this, thanks to one pig that got it all wrong for itself and the rest of the world!
So, what does one do when he/she sneezes? (besides praying-an option invalid for an atheist)
1. Do not press the panic button and declare yourself as an unfortunate victim of swine flu.
2. Realize that common flu and common cold is still in vogue; and so sneezing is not that off-seasonal.
There are other things to worry about. With hospitals circulating mismatched reports, it makes sense to first consult your family physician than just rush to Kasturba. People are selling the N-95 masks at twice or thrice the amount of its listed maximum retail price. Indians that we are, making the most (profits) in every situation, adversities included. I am no medical practitioner to advice people on the current pandemic. But common sense tells that it is better to understand and identify the symptoms of the disease. These include high fever and difficulty in breathing. We also need to take the preventive measures (listed by newspapers, internet portals and TV news channels) and consume a wholesome diet. Nutritionists have said that an intake of Vitamin C can be effective in building immunity. Using masks, which necessarily need to be sterilized after every usage; strictly eating home-cooked food should be a routine exercise.
The flu is here to stay for atleast two more months and a complete reliance on government measures can prove to be fatal. A preventive vaccine can be expected in future, but at the same time we must realize that the projected number of swine flu victims will be showing a steep rise in the subsequent months.
Swine flu has probably come as a respite to Pakistan’s bureaucracy, as Indo-Pak peace talks take a relative backstage. The PM’s B-statement also seems to be forgotten. Pranab’s efforts to dilate the tax slabs are less appreciated. As Indians, and moreover as students, we have a platter full of worries; swine flu just adding to the same.
At this juncture, all we can do is, take care…
