\nLockdowns have returned<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
\nTo stop the spread, most state governments have now imposed lockdown measures.
\nIn many regions, people are only allowed to leave their residence for a few hours a day to gather essentials, which is becoming increasingly risky as they face possible exposure in larger crowds.\n<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t take Covid lightly – 3 personal accounts…<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
\nWe wanted to share our experiences of living with COVID-19.\n<\/p>\n
\nKalmesh\u2019s experience in Vasco-da-Gama<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
\n![\"Kalmesh\"](\"https:\/\/voeyenew.vtiger.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kalmesh-1-e1622042608650-1.jpg\")
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\nKalmesh is a Senior Accounts Manager at Vtiger. He is currently working from home in the town of Vasco-da-Gama<\/a> in the coastal state of Goa. Goa has a population of 18Lakhs (1.8 million) and there are 3000+ new cases and 40+ mortalities daily. Cases are quite high and, currently, it is in lockdown.\n<\/p>\n \nKalmesh elaborates further on the efforts of the Government saying, \u201cThe Government is putting a lot of effort into arranging oxygen and vaccines. They are also providing a COVID Kit which contains necessary medicines and other medical supplies for all people who test positive.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nDespite the valiant efforts by the Government and people of Goa, Kalmesh says, \u201cPeople around are scared of the second wave. The second wave is more dreadful than the first. The mortality rate is high and even the spread is fast compared to the first wave. A lot of young people are getting infected with COVID now.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nKalmesh and his brother have also recently tested positive, but fortunately, his brother has fully recovered. His parents, who also live in Vasco-da-Gama, are vaccinated and have shown no symptoms so far. Kalmesh is also feeling better every day and describes his current symptoms saying, \u201cThere is no fever or sore throat now, although I have a cough and my taste\/smell is yet to recover.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nGanesh\u2019s experience in Bhimavaram<\/b>\n<\/p>\n \nGanesh, our Global Partnerships Manager, describes the situation he is facing while working from his hometown of Bhimavaram<\/a> on the south-eastern coast of India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He describes his situation stating \u201cOur home is surrounded by positive cases. It’s like WW3 without using the weapons. Cases are increasing day by day, and this pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life. It’s sad to see known people pass away due to COVID infection.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nGanesh elaborates further on hospital access and oxygen supplies in Bhimavaram, saying \u201cSince it’s a town, facilities are average, and people have to be admitted to the district hospital if it’s serious. The current state government is doing its best to install more beds and deploy more oxygen cylinders. However, private hospitals have good facilities these days.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nThere are also limited testing sites that offer free diagnostic and surveillance testing which is not helping the situation. Ganesh describes the process by saying \u201cCOVID test results take more time to receive than expected. By the time the results come, the people are getting sick.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nThe vaccination efforts are also buckling under pressure, currently, the vaccine supply is limited and is only available for people 45 years old or older. Ganesh remains optimistic as he patiently waits for his turn, pointing out that the government has ordered some 8 million more vaccines in the last few days.\n<\/p>\n \nWhen asked how the second wave differs from the first wave, Ganesh says, \u201cThere is a noticeable difference in that the second wave is far more destructive in terms of the infection rate. With the current facilities provided by Vtiger, I’ve been working from home for the past 14 months. The only help I can do for myself and the people here is to stay home, stay safe, and break the chain.\u201d Staying home is not only the best option, when possible, but it\u2019s also being enforced, as the Government has imposed a new 2-week curfew.\n<\/p>\n \nGanesh reflects on some of the lessons learned during COVID and points out \u201cThis Virus taught a lesson to the people in terms of keeping us hygienic and to stop buying unnecessary things. Earlier, if anyone sneezes, we used to say God bless you, now people are saying oh God, please bless me! People are sympathetic nowadays, but people who are positive are really looking for empathy rather than sympathy.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nShilpa\u2019s experience in Bangalore<\/b>\n<\/p>\n \nShilpa, a Content Creator at Vtiger, is currently living and working in Bangalore<\/a> (Home of Vtiger HQ). She is also feeling the stress of the second wave saying, \u201cRight now the situation is bad, after my mother-in-law and Granny’s results were positive, we all decided to get the swab test done since we were nursing them and we all had mild symptoms like dry cough and cold. Now, 5 out of 7 people have tested positive in my home.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nShilpa also described the situation regarding access to hospitals and medical supplies saying, \u201dIt is very difficult to get a bed in Bangalore hospitals and there is definitely a scarcity of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and common drugs. In this second wave, we are facing a lot of difficulties to get necessities. We need to book an appointment with the doctors or diagnostics centers to get the test done, and the worst thing is we need to wait for many hours to get the reports back.”\n<\/p>\n \nShilpa and I also discussed the difference between the first and current second wave and its effects on her family. She said, \u201cIt is a big difference for my family and me. Last year we were all at home cooking special meals and having virtual meetups with our dear ones. But this time, my family and the extended family have tested positive, and it has caused many problems both mentally and financially. The Government has announced a 15-day lockdown in our state to reduce the infection. Having said this, I feel the spirit is less in my own family. Everyone is scared to step out of the apartment too.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nAfter receiving a positive diagnosis, Shilpa isolated herself in a separate room and has now fully recovered. \u201cI\u2019m feeling good,\u201d she says and leaves those who test positive with a suggestion, optimistically saying, \u201cStay calm and take it easy so that you will recover soon. Staying mentally strong is the key to recovery.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nDespite the difficult and sometimes unimaginable situations presented to our teams across India, they are all maintaining a positive attitude as they navigate their own unique experiences with grace. The outreach and support from our customers have truly helped lift their spirits, as they continue to press on and ride out the second wave of this storm.\n<\/p>\n \nIf you would like to help those affected in India, please click here to donate to the PM CARES Fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Ganesh\"](\"https:\/\/voeyenew.vtiger.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Ganesh-e1622041904217-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Shilpa\"](\"https:\/\/voeyenew.vtiger.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Shilpa-e1622040875201-1.jpg\")
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