How to live in lockdowns?

Many friends nationally and internationally are asking howwe Kashmiris have spent time during multiple lockdowns in last three decades.They want to learn and gain experience in the times of COVID 19. Well we haveseen lockdowns and many times it was with one major difference havingrestricted or no access to Internet. We had social distancing during lockdownsin Kashmir but at the moment it is more physical distancing. But as they sayadversities come with opportunities and I think many of us in Kashmir adaptedpositivity and that is why we are still surviving.  So let me go step by step what actuallymatters in lockdowns and how we should take care.

Lockdowns always have immediate, short term and long termeffects and we have to deal with them accordingly. The first things that cometo our mind are always the essential things. My immediate checklist for thelockdown goes as:

   
  • Make a list of doctors/ paramedics who will be available during any emergency (day or night) in your locality.
  • Keep handy cash at home because you may need it anytime
  • Electricity backups like inverter and generators wherever it is possible.
  • Candles / torch in case of severe breakdowns
  • Stock eatables, gas and other fuels to a limited extent.
  • For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy you need to have constant follow up with the concerned medico.
  • Oxygen concentrators / cylinders for those who need them 24×7 should be stocked.
  • Frequent chats within family and friends can be video/ audio etc
  • Stock up emergency medicines, recharging mobile phones and if required request for special curfew pass from administration.
  • Have a good Sleep. Your body needs rest

Then comes the short and long term phase. For short term phase the major challenge is to manage fake news, anxiety disorders, panic and other associated factors. The short term effects of lockdowns vary but I am focussing on major ones depending on my experience in Kashmir for last three decades.

1. In short term lock downs you have to first care for people having mental health issues like OCD, Anxiety or any mental disorder.

2. Anxiety disorders even in general population are a lotand this time it is about hand washing. For anyone with generalised anxiety itexposes him or her to excessive worrying and irrational behaviour. Consideringthe present crisis of Corona Virus hand washing at times becomes a majorchallenge in OCD patients.

3. General public should avoid temptation to learn everything about COVID19 from social media. Have information that is required. More social mediainformation adds to panic and mostly it is the fake news.

4. Have verified trusted news source and twice a day update is enough aboutCorona Virus

5. Managing anxiety and panic during such crisis requires usto focus on facts and not random emotional bulletins.

6. As a community you have to come together and feed thosewho can’t afford a living. This has been done in Kashmir by people throughmohalla committees, various social and civil organisations.

7. If you have issues with anyone business, professional,personal. This is the best time to reach out, chat, talk and resolve yourdifferences

8. Spend quality time with your family and friends. Inpresent corona crisis you can do it with audio calls, video calls and whatsappgroups.

9. For children it is the best time to encourage traditionalstorytelling, introduce them more to your local regional language, culture, artand local heroes who are fighting the crisis.

10. Eat less, try to avoid weight gain and have mentalrelaxation.

In long term lockdowns the whole strategy changes and wehave to get loads of sectors together and major challenge is to sustaineconomy. In case COVID 19 goes off soon and I pray for that than we may notneed that strategy. But in case it sticks for longer time I will share with allof you those experiences in next article.

Dr Amit Wanchoo is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and socialactivist. He is Chairman H.N.Wanchoo Trust.

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