It is your fight – words from a COVID 19 patient
Sonam Lepcha, 26, tested positive for Covid 19 on March 6, 2022. In this article, he shares his experiences and thoughts
Five people in a room are just beginning their day – breakfast has arrived and it is yet another delicacy. One is glued to the television, wondering what Putin has got against the Ukrainians. Another is conveying to his wife what he had for dinner and the breakfast menu. Two of us are busy; we do not talk or do anything while a meal is in-front of us.
We are in Room number 203, Yoezer Hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar. We are not friends going for a pilgrimage to Singye Dzong or hiking to Merak-Sakteng. We are in Isolation Ward 5 of the isolation facility. Destiny has different ways to bring people together. Omicron brought us to this particular room. All of us tested positive for Covid-19.
I sincerely do not know how I contacted the virus. If there are just five people following Covid protocols seriously, one will be me. I have washed my hands more in the last two years than the five years before that. I spend the most on buying sanitizers and face masks. And I do not swallow words if I see someone not following standard Covid protocol.
With the surge of Omicron in Samdrup Jongkhar, many of us became primary contacts of one or the other who tested positive. Adding on to this, the flat I was living in was declared a “Red Building.” Health staff began to check us and till the sixth time, I tested negative. Whoever said 7 is a lucky number did not know the definition of luck. I tested positive when I was tested for the 7th time on March 6, 2022; fortunately right after losar ended. And I was then taken to Yoezer Hotel.
Since the pandemic began, I have been reading almost everything written about it. As I mentioned earlier, I follow all standard operating procedures (SoPs). Thus, when I tested positive, the first question was why, followed by how, when and where. I am no superman. I must admit that I was worried, mainly thinking about the possibilities of me having infected others. What if I had an elderly or one with co-morbidities living with me? However, as I lived in a “Red Building,” I had not interacted with anyone. It calmed me. And I saw the reason why the government seals buildings where people who test positive for the virus live.
I remember meeting a resident of the same building one morning. I thought I heard a knock and when I opened the door, a man was there asking if I could share some English movies. I was very angry as he was breaking the protocol. However, I consented and gave him what he wanted. I feel I contacted the virus from him, but I am not sure. I do not blame him. I should have just walked back into my room. But I did not. Once again, wisdom dawns on me and I realize why we are asked to maintain at least some distance and if possible stay away from people.
Every day I receive calls from my parents, relatives and close friends inquiring about my status. They do not seem to believe that I am well, physically and mentally. This is one curse of the virus; your dear and near ones suffer, thinking almost everything about you – food, bed, cream etc. Would you want them to suffer?
I have stayed in quarantine but not as a Covid patient. I have heard the good, bad and ugly stories; quality of food, bed and others. Perhaps, the five of us are fortunate. In the words of a non-Bhutanese mate amidst us, we are living like “Rajas.” Every meal is different and delicious. We have free access to Wi-Fi. Hospital staff call us everyday inquiring if we are fine. The entire world is within the room and our non-Bhutanese friend says we are “naseebwalas” (fortunate). “Pray for your King’s good health, prosperity and long life,” he said, in his dialect.
It is not just the five of us. His Majesty’s compassion and grace has been seen and felt by thousands. Apart from other forms of Kidu, free quarantine facilities is one that has been accessed by many. I do not want to appear like a hypocrite. If I had the means, I would proudly bear the expenses of all five of us.
At Samdrup Jongkhar and other border towns, I have seen people getting the “fatigue,” of lock-downs. Additionally, our front liners may be tired, too. I read people expressing their plight on social media. I see people venting their frustrations. But I now know, (100%) that everything is being done for us. People say Omicron is not as strong as Delta. But you never know; and it is only when you get the virus that such thoughts cross your mind.
When I decided to write this article, many were against it. Why should I even try to be a hero? I have no intentions of going viral on social media or any other reason. I am coming out, voluntarily because people need to shred the stigma against those who test positive. I want more people to come out, share their experiences and advice those who feel they are invincible. I want to tell those who have tested positive not to worry, but learn from experience. Under His Majesty’s guidance, Bhutan is now going to change its strategy in the war against the virus. The government and front liners have been responsible so far. Now, the people have to take responsibility.
Finally, I want to tell everyone that the fight against the virus is your fight. Someone cannot fight on your behalf. You have to do it yourself. Never for a moment think that you will not be infected. Everyone can be a potential carrier. And yes! The vaccines work. I have not really suffered and science says it is the vaccine,
Sonam Lepcha
As narrated to Ugyen Tenzin.
Sonam Lepcha, 26, tested positive for Covid 19 on March 6, 2022. In this article, he shares his experiences and thoughts
Five people in a room are just beginning their day – breakfast has arrived and it is yet another delicacy. One is glued to the television, wondering what Putin has got against the Ukrainians. Another is conveying to his wife what he had for dinner and the breakfast menu. Two of us are busy; we do not talk or do anything while a meal is in-front of us.
We are in Room number 203, Yoezer Hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar. We are not friends going for a pilgrimage to Singye Dzong or hiking to Merak-Sakteng. We are in Isolation Ward 5 of the isolation facility. Destiny has different ways to bring people together. Omicron brought us to this particular room. All of us tested positive for Covid-19.
I sincerely do not know how I contacted the virus. If there are just five people following Covid protocols seriously, one will be me. I have washed my hands more in the last two years than the five years before that. I spend the most on buying sanitizers and face masks. And I do not swallow words if I see someone not following standard Covid protocol.
With the surge of Omicron in Samdrup Jongkhar, many of us became primary contacts of one or the other who tested positive. Adding on to this, the flat I was living in was declared a “Red Building.” Health staff began to check us and till the sixth time, I tested negative. Whoever said 7 is a lucky number did not know the definition of luck. I tested positive when I was tested for the 7th time on March 6, 2022; fortunately right after losar ended. And I was then taken to Yoezer Hotel.
Since the pandemic began, I have been reading almost everything written about it. As I mentioned earlier, I follow all standard operating procedures (SoPs). Thus, when I tested positive, the first question was why, followed by how, when and where. I am no superman. I must admit that I was worried, mainly thinking about the possibilities of me having infected others. What if I had an elderly or one with co-morbidities living with me? However, as I lived in a “Red Building,” I had not interacted with anyone. It calmed me. And I saw the reason why the government seals buildings where people who test positive for the virus live.
I remember meeting a resident of the same building one morning. I thought I heard a knock and when I opened the door, a man was there asking if I could share some English movies. I was very angry as he was breaking the protocol. However, I consented and gave him what he wanted. I feel I contacted the virus from him, but I am not sure. I do not blame him. I should have just walked back into my room. But I did not. Once again, wisdom dawns on me and I realize why we are asked to maintain at least some distance and if possible stay away from people.
Every day I receive calls from my parents, relatives and close friends inquiring about my status. They do not seem to believe that I am well, physically and mentally. This is one curse of the virus; your dear and near ones suffer, thinking almost everything about you – food, bed, cream etc. Would you want them to suffer?
I have stayed in quarantine but not as a Covid patient. I have heard the good, bad and ugly stories; quality of food, bed and others. Perhaps, the five of us are fortunate. In the words of a non-Bhutanese mate amidst us, we are living like “Rajas.” Every meal is different and delicious. We have free access to Wi-Fi. Hospital staff call us everyday inquiring if we are fine. The entire world is within the room and our non-Bhutanese friend says we are “naseebwalas” (fortunate). “Pray for your King’s good health, prosperity and long life,” he said, in his dialect.
It is not just the five of us. His Majesty’s compassion and grace has been seen and felt by thousands. Apart from other forms of Kidu, free quarantine facilities is one that has been accessed by many. I do not want to appear like a hypocrite. If I had the means, I would proudly bear the expenses of all five of us.
At Samdrup Jongkhar and other border towns, I have seen people getting the “fatigue,” of lock-downs. Additionally, our front liners may be tired, too. I read people expressing their plight on social media. I see people venting their frustrations. But I now know, (100%) that everything is being done for us. People say Omicron is not as strong as Delta. But you never know; and it is only when you get the virus that such thoughts cross your mind.
When I decided to write this article, many were against it. Why should I even try to be a hero? I have no intentions of going viral on social media or any other reason. I am coming out, voluntarily because people need to shred the stigma against those who test positive. I want more people to come out, share their experiences and advice those who feel they are invincible. I want to tell those who have tested positive not to worry, but learn from experience. Under His Majesty’s guidance, Bhutan is now going to change its strategy in the war against the virus. The government and front liners have been responsible so far. Now, the people have to take responsibility.
Finally, I want to tell everyone that the fight against the virus is your fight. Someone cannot fight on your behalf. You have to do it yourself. Never for a moment think that you will not be infected. Everyone can be a potential carrier. And yes! The vaccines work. I have not really suffered and science says it is the vaccine,
Sonam Lepcha
As narrated to Ugyen Tenzin.
