Even In The Face Of Pain And Chaos, There’s Hope: A Day In The Life Of A Covid Warrior
My name is Chirag Ranka. I am 25 years old.
Even a few years ago, if you would have asked me about my day, I wouldn’t have thought twice before saying ‘Oh, my days are usually very hectic’ without even realizing the meaning of the word. But today when I tell you ‘Hey, I am a little busy, can I get back to you in half an hour?’ — I mean, I have been caught up coordinating and managing the foolproof distribution of oxygen concentrators and cylinders across the city to help as many people as I can. I might not have had lunch and maybe even had a 12-hour-long shift. No, I am not complaining at all. In fact, I really love what I am doing currently.
It’s been 15 days since I have joined Making The Difference NGO based in Mumbai and although exhausting, the experience has been grounding on so many levels.
2:30 AM — A frantic call from a patient’s family woke me up from my sleep. He needed a concentrator for his 65 YO mother. It would have been around an hour since I had fallen asleep. I was startled at first when he started video-calling me, but when I saw his scared face and teary eyes, I knew I had to do everything in my capacity to help him. The next few hours were spent in arranging a concentrator for his mother and finally, at 430- 5 AM, the man came from Jogeshwari to Mira Road to collect it. My supervisor was there to deliver it to him. He called me again after he received the product. Although tired, I could sense a relief in his tone. Probably he thought that his mother’s close brush with death could be averted this time. I hoped the same for him and tried to grab a few hours of sleep.
9:30 AM — I hear a knock on my door. Mom has come to wake me up but I was already up by then. I wasn’t able to sleep much last night. I quickly get ready and leave for work. My mom has already packed my lunch and while I pick it up and get ready to leave, I see my mother’s face tearing up. I smile at her and turn my face away. She doesn’t need to see me worried — I think.
10:30 AM — A normal day at work involves answering multiple phone calls. All of them worried, all of them scared that they would lose their loved ones. I try to keep a calm voice while I explain to each of them the procedure of getting oxygen concentrators and cylinders via our initiative Oxygen Connect. This goes on for hours. I lose track of time till I get a call from my brother or my mother — ‘Khana kha lena yaad se…’ (Please remember to have your lunch). While I smile at their affection I think of those who have no one to care for them or those who can’t afford to save their family. A strange feeling of helplessness creeps inside me.
6:00 PM — Work is still going on. Everyone is busy helping others. I have to leave though — to deliver the oxygen supplies to the different centers in Mumbai. One person has been given the responsibility to take care of 2–3 centers. I am supposed to not just deliver the supplies but also help the operator at the center understand the process to be followed. Time management is crucial and despite being hungry and thirsty, I decide not to stop. It’s like you’re carrying the weight of so many lives on your shoulders.
11:30 PM — I have finally come back home. I try to be as discreet as possible but mom is always up when I come. I am hardly hungry now, I am sipping a cup of tea when my phone starts ringing again. An oxygen supplier has a couple of queries — I need to tend to that as soon as possible. Another call from a patient’s family follows and all of a sudden when I check the phone it is 1 AM. I try to fall asleep but I am reminded of everything that is happening around us. I am reminded of my friends, who though are worried about me, keep encouraging me. I think of those times when hugging my mom and dad was such a simple act but now I have to keep different vessels in which I eat, I have to maintain a distance while talking to them. Slowly, I fall asleep.
Am I scared, you ask me? Of course, I am. Anyone of us can contract the virus and there might not be a hospital bed available. But how can I let this thought not allow me to help others, especially at this hour? I am sure you would have done the same.
Making The Difference NGO along with Donatekart has launched an initiative — “Oxygen Connect” — under which they are opening 100+ oxygen centers all across Maharashtra and other states too in order to help people with oxygen supplies.
