My father has COVID19.
Now that I have your complete attention please tune-in (thread below).
Reread, retweet, screenshot, share. Whatever it takes.
#COVID #Coronavirus #India #Delhi
Now that I have your complete attention please tune-in (thread below).
Reread, retweet, screenshot, share. Whatever it takes.
#COVID #Coronavirus #India #Delhi
Backgrounder:
Dad is 82 years old, successful triple bypass surgery in Jan 2020. Super disciplined, wakes up at 4 am & cleans entire house for past 40 years, eats every meal on time, dinner never post 7pm, non-smoker, perhaps 2 beer pints/week (with me). No diabetes or asthma.
Dad is 82 years old, successful triple bypass surgery in Jan 2020. Super disciplined, wakes up at 4 am & cleans entire house for past 40 years, eats every meal on time, dinner never post 7pm, non-smoker, perhaps 2 beer pints/week (with me). No diabetes or asthma.
Chronology:
25-27 April: Dad had high fever, no cough, one brief episode of breathlessness. A video consultation with cardiologist, who wants an ECG (not easy to get done)
28 April: Fever controlled, ECG is normal but dad wants to see his doctor (uneasiness). Visits hospital.
25-27 April: Dad had high fever, no cough, one brief episode of breathlessness. A video consultation with cardiologist, who wants an ECG (not easy to get done)
28 April: Fever controlled, ECG is normal but dad wants to see his doctor (uneasiness). Visits hospital.
28 April: At hospital, doc asks for regular tests, suggests *maybe* we test for COVID. While he is there, we get an external lab to pick sample.
29 April: All tests are normal. But COVID is positive. Baffles us! He has NOT stepped out for 75 days. Only Mom/Dad at home.
29 April: All tests are normal. But COVID is positive. Baffles us! He has NOT stepped out for 75 days. Only Mom/Dad at home.
29-30 April: I start the process of getting him to a hospital. He is in Delhi, I am in Hyderabad. Personal network enabled. No place in ANY hospital (private/govt). Every publically available resource is used with little success.
NO local doctor willing to meet.
NO local doctor willing to meet.
30 April: After a lot of trying, I get to founders/seniors of ALL biggest COVID hospitals in Delhi via my network and my new professional home. Things finally happen, we get him to the best hospital (an eternal thanks to many)
I am very privileged. Connected. Fortunate. Blessed
I am very privileged. Connected. Fortunate. Blessed
Contact Tracing (1/2)
Firstly, my mom is COVID NEGATIVE (tested yesterday) Crazy, no? My parents live, eat, sleep & fight together with no full-time help, no-one visits.
The contact tracing is on. Govt folks came & sanitized house. Mom home quarantined, no symptoms.
Firstly, my mom is COVID NEGATIVE (tested yesterday) Crazy, no? My parents live, eat, sleep & fight together with no full-time help, no-one visits.
The contact tracing is on. Govt folks came & sanitized house. Mom home quarantined, no symptoms.
Contact Tracing (2/2)
The next door chemist is a possibility. The shop has a quarantined doctor on the upper floor. I repeat, dad has NOT left the house in 75 days. Mom (NO COVID) has gone out for meds, groceries (6 times), the help has come thrice in 40 days (and she is well).
The next door chemist is a possibility. The shop has a quarantined doctor on the upper floor. I repeat, dad has NOT left the house in 75 days. Mom (NO COVID) has gone out for meds, groceries (6 times), the help has come thrice in 40 days (and she is well).
Current Update from Hospital:
Dad is on extra oxygen but no ventilator. Cribbing & impatient (pun intended) as usual, which is awesome.
He has no access to a phone, updates, TV or anyone (which is fair). The boredom & isolation is brutal though inconsequential.
Dad is on extra oxygen but no ventilator. Cribbing & impatient (pun intended) as usual, which is awesome.
He has no access to a phone, updates, TV or anyone (which is fair). The boredom & isolation is brutal though inconsequential.
Summary (1/2)
1. If you are reading this, you are probably privileged.
2. Understand the gravity of COVID.
3. Stop being negative. NO govt can solve this themselves.
4. Unless you are a cheating partner, weed smoker, a felon, or have dark secrets, download that @SetuAarogya app
1. If you are reading this, you are probably privileged.
2. Understand the gravity of COVID.
3. Stop being negative. NO govt can solve this themselves.
4. Unless you are a cheating partner, weed smoker, a felon, or have dark secrets, download that @SetuAarogya app
Summary (2/2)
5. AND follow ALL govt advisory, app, actions
6. Try not to confuse your privilege, access & privacy with our naturally cynical or lacksidal attitude (all Indians are conditioned for this, including me)
7. Listen to @BillGates or anyone you want to trust. Listen.
5. AND follow ALL govt advisory, app, actions
6. Try not to confuse your privilege, access & privacy with our naturally cynical or lacksidal attitude (all Indians are conditioned for this, including me)
7. Listen to @BillGates or anyone you want to trust. Listen.
Post-Script (1/2)
As Janta Curfew was announced, within minutes I blocked jantacurfew.in and IndiaStayHome.com (which went live right after)
As a part of @ApnaMask (my 2nd volunteer project) we have reached 5 Cr Indians on key messages such as #ApnaDeshApnaMask
As Janta Curfew was announced, within minutes I blocked jantacurfew.in and IndiaStayHome.com (which went live right after)
As a part of @ApnaMask (my 2nd volunteer project) we have reached 5 Cr Indians on key messages such as #ApnaDeshApnaMask
Post-Script (2/2)
So I (try) get this.
All my start-up & govt. advisory work, @NowFloats launching remote consultation product & volunteering started much before COVID came home.
And I will continue to do more. If my father can get it, trust me, this is code red.
So I (try) get this.
All my start-up & govt. advisory work, @NowFloats launching remote consultation product & volunteering started much before COVID came home.
And I will continue to do more. If my father can get it, trust me, this is code red.
Finally,
1. I suspect this came, airborne, via a healthy carrier
2. Am sharing this & putting my family & I out there for a reason
3. Am doing this pre-facto. There is no time to waste. Take action!
4. Make your elders & kids super safe.
COVID ruthlessly hunts the weak.
1. I suspect this came, airborne, via a healthy carrier
2. Am sharing this & putting my family & I out there for a reason
3. Am doing this pre-facto. There is no time to waste. Take action!
4. Make your elders & kids super safe.
COVID ruthlessly hunts the weak.
And yes, 2 Covid tests done before taking the measures. Btw, there was a high possibility of false positive and/or unreliable testing kit. But not twice :(
