The Corona pandemic is teaching one lesson to humanity—THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN TOUCH. I don’t mean not only the physical touch but also the human approach in our relationship with others. Yesterday, I received one distress call and another message from youngsters expressing their fear about this pandemic in India. We, the senior citizens, have the responsibility to stretch our moral support to them with encouraging words.
Every sneezing or light cough or cold is not a symptom of Corona. At the same time, we should not take them very lightly either. Unless one has fever, breathing problem and severe cough don’t panic and rush to the hospitals adding more burden on the already over stretched medical service. This began to happen these days. When one of our neighbours approached with some panic about such a slight cough and sneeze, I first asked him to relax. Then gave two peppers and asked him to bite and swallow the saliva. Within a few minutes his irritation in the throat disappeared and pain also went away. Then I told how this pandemic creates some kind of psychological impact in our mind creating some crisis. Some even began to feel some kind of irritation in their throat and pain even though there is no such symptom. Too much information, particularly about the symptoms about Corona created some kind of psychological fear in people’s minds.
Similarly, we should warn people asking them not to take medicines on their own as such messages are also going around in whatsapp. This is more dangerous. Better approach the doctor even with mild symptoms than doing your own treatment particularly with tablets and other cough syrups. Whereas when I shared about pepper treatment one concerned person wrote back not to share such treatment for Corona. I am sorry as I failed to communicate properly. I never say that pepper is the correct or even the best treatment for Corona. But for any kind of throat infection, irritation, mild cough and cold, pepper can give early relief. Above all, pepper is not even a medicine but part of our food. And if the symptoms persist with fever then one needs to see the doctor immediately.
Though I too agree with social distancing and strictly practising it, still many people cannot handle it easily as they have to see the same familiar faces and people inside the house that too for 24 x 7. Particularly in those families where there is already some kind of friction in relationship between siblings or husband wife or other members of the family, they get more irritated as they have to see them again and again for the whole day under the same roof for several days. Before Corona, at least there was some break as they went out for their work and there was enough space for everyone to have their private time and life. But as they are forced to stay together, this creates more friction and psychological stress in their mind resulting in physical ailment. This is indeed a period of ordeal for all of us. As all are not trained to lead a life of recluse the senior citizens can help them in two ways, if possible encourage them by words. Or at least don’t trouble others, often demanding some kind of help from them. Try to manage as much of your work as possible on your own. At the same time, in the name of not giving trouble to others, don’t do anything which will end up creating physical injury to you. If possible, be still and calm.
When I told my domestic helper not to come to work, she insisted on coming by saying she is so scared to stay at home and by coming and talking with me, she found some kind of encouragement as I cleared her doubts by answering her questions about Corona. Above all, she lives in a single room house sharing the space with other family members. All of them are very stressed out as they cannot go out for work or relax. Already I instructed her to wash her hands and legs with soap before entering the house and I kept separate soap for her. The same is happening with our neighbours as they find it difficult to cope with this kind of social isolation. Anyhow I told my domestic helper that from today onwards she cannot come for the next ten days and if she wants to see me, she can come and stand outside the gate and I can talk with her for a few minutes. Similarly, I talk with my neighbour standing within our compound to help them to relax a bit.
So this period of ordeal we all need to overcome together—keeping the social distance to help each other through messages, telephone calls, video talk etc. and co-operate with the government to overcome this situation.
So my message about pepper is not the only cure or treatment for Corona but it is a traditional herbal food available within our reach to remove some kind of psychological fear about slight irritation, infection, pain, cough and cold. These days these symptoms in the throat come because of psychological fear about Corona which we need to overcome and help each other. Not every sneezing, cough and cold is any corona symptom. At the same time, don’t take them lightly.
28-03-2020
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