By Doctor Liza Jose

Johannesburg, July 18, 2020: I have just survived Covid-19. The 14-day fight against the tiny little ‘virus villain’ has taught me many a lesson.

First, my heart is full of gratitude to God and for so many people who stood with me in those tough days. Many of God’s angels guided me after I was diagnosed with Covid.

My husband, who was my superhero during our time in isolation, juggled work, housework and the kids. He kept everything going. It’s remarkable that despite all the negative forces we faced, our spirit to fight and to care for each other was the amazing source that made us special souls.

Our lives have changed from ‘frantic normal’ to an uncomfortable new beginning since the onset of the Covid pandemic.

My two little sons used to cheer me up and kept a tag on my recovery through the window as I stayed isolated in a room for 14 days. In their own special way they would keep me occupied for hours with their stories and games. During the isolation I needed some urgent medication, but rising Covid cases exasperated the pharmacies that were unable to make the immense number of home deliveries. When I had lost hope a God angel in the form of my regular pharmacist did a special home delivery just for me.

My amazing warrior parents, my extended family, close friends, colleagues who through their prayers and words of encouragement kept me sane during this journey. It was a rollercoaster ride. However, more than the virus I learned that love and human connection are what matters. Let us bring back the words ‘Positive action’ into our daily lives. For life has lost its true meaningful experience.

My boys are the motivation for me to keep pushing my boundaries and serve others the best way I can. It’s been a juggle switching from family woman to full time working woman. Sometimes this juggling act can get messy. My role as a doctor to heal and serve others in their most terrible sufferings, even if just through my words, continues to be a remarkable journey of humility and compassion for me.

My patients are my angels in disguise. I appreciate my blessings through their journeys.

The human race has conquered massively by its technology and quest for luxury. We seem to have the illusion that we control this world. Out comes a tiny little ‘virus villain’ and changes the course of our very existence. We are paralyzed by fear of the unknown.

From the moment the virus stepped in, the scientific community has been working tirelessly to find treatment or preventive modalities, we applaud their efforts.

Many people have come together despite the physical barriers to build human relations based on true camaraderie. Its only when we appreciate that our existence is dependent on the existence of others we truly appreciate the purpose of life. Some continue to cling to the ‘normal’ as it seeps away, never to come back. Others have built high rising fences that don’t allow new life. They do so out of fear, or to protect themselves or their loved ones.

Enemy at the gates

Then there is the reckless group who despite the facts and numbers continue to practice risky behavior endangering not just themselves but so many innocent lives around them. The enemy is smarter than us because it has learnt to work together and invade our weak barricades and exhausted, outnumbered troops.

We need to change our game plan as a worldwide community. Our humanity is at stake. We should be following and maintaining social distancing rules, regularly washing or sanitizing our hands, wearing masks correctly, limiting crowding in closed spaces and keeping our surroundings hygienically clean.

We need to lead healthy lifestyles. If there’s one message worth taking home it is that there more to life than the frantic race for money, status and stuff. We need to take a collective responsibility of protecting and serving the needs of all vulnerable people in our world. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering and injustice around us.

Support for fight

There are remarkable stories of people going beyond their comfort zones to help another human life, even at risk of harm to themselves during these challenging times.

Many of us wake up every morning to a routine that is killing our soul, our health, our sanity, our families and most importantly our values as human beings. This life blinds us to the true experience of living. The Covid pandemic has given us the opportunity to create a new beginning filled with humanity, togetherness and the prospect of leading meaningful lives — a life that serves society more than our selfish motives.

My prayer is that we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture at the end of this battle. Let us work together to create a more humane and sustainable world. Let us create a world that continues to sustain and grow and make the future generations proud. God Bless us all.

(Liza Jose was born and brought up in South Africa. Her parents had come from Changanacherry in Kerala, India. She serves as a doctor in clinical research in Johannesburg, South Africa.)