During coronavirus pandemic, I have realized that, broadly, there are two kinds of people in my life. One who are concerned about me that I should not get infected, and second, they are concerned that I should not get infected because, if I get it, they get it.
My usual days are always marked with coronavirus-related coverage, probably some exclusive interviews for Prime Media, and typing out stories for website and covering news for PTI.
But there was a day, which changed my schedule, shook me to the core and made me realized about these two different kinds of people.
Dr Edwin Gomes had tested positive on that day and I was driving when I got the confirmation about it on my phone.
I was quick enough to break the story on our twitter handler and than was about to file it for PTI and the website when my phone rang.
“Dr Edwin is tested positive,” he said.
“Yes, I know,” I said.
“Go and get yourself tested quickly. You might have received infection from him,” he said.
“What??????,” and then I actually had that crumbling feeling. Something like what the hell kind.
“What the hell.”
I never calculated this equation that a story that I broke few minutes earlier, could be about me.
Dr Shekhar Salkar has always been my “helpline number” “confidante” “trusted doctor” “counselor” etc etc. So, the first thing I did was to call him. Though, I was desperate to meet him personally, avoided visiting his Manipal Hospital because I might infect his premises, if I am tested positive.
Doctor gave me moral support over the phone. He was little short of saying “Bhiupachi Garaj Na Tuka.”
I had no symptoms till that time. But thoughts started popping up in my mind that I could also be positive.
No sooner, I felt my throat itching. That was out of sheer anxiety, but it did happened.
My phone was ringing continuously and everyone was worried about me.
Actually, both the two kinds of persons called me, few were worried about them.
There were few like my family members and friends who were really concerned about me for me. And few others who were concerned about me, for them, as in two-three days, I had met them.
I tried to keep myself composed and made another call to my niece who is medical practitioner in one of the covidcare centre.
After that my friend-cum-colleague Samir Narvekar who managed to get me appointment in GMC, Bambolim.
In the entire rigmarole, it was not just me, but my friend and cameraman John D’Silva and his wife and again my colleague Roshni were equally “anxious” “worried” “panicked” etc etc. John had shot the interview with Dr Edwin.
We rushed to the GMC and it took almost four hours, perhaps the quickest time, to get the report. The quickest time for the report but it looked like longest one for me considering the amount of calls that I received asking whether I was “positive”. By that time, social circles were abuzz with the news that “Rupeshak corona Jala.”
Sharp at 8 pm, I got my report. It was “negative”. What a respite. I am not Covid positive.
So, to sum up, the learning from the incident is that: 1)There are two kinds of people, 2) Always use mask during interview, 3) Don’t take it lightly, Coronavirus may have brushed me and went.
