COVID Behind Closed Doors

There is a constant emotional battle the families of COVID warriors ght every day Here’s an account of the family of frontline hero Dr EDWIN GOMES when he tested positive

- DR UBALDINA NORONHA

Fighting COVID-19 is not just about dealing with a medical condition anymore. It has become a mental battle of a different kind. Every frontline worker – medical staff, police, workers in sanitisation and other essential services – are doing their duty risking their own health and life as well as that of their families. Families of all frontline warriors are afraid that there is a chance their loved ones may not walk through that front door again.

Sometime ago, you may have seen a video of the society I live in giving a warm welcome to my husband Dr Edwin Gomes. It was an impromptu gesture on the part of our neighbours to show their appreciation towards his dedicated services. That day they clapped wholeheartedly for my husband, but today I write this to applaud them. And let me tell you why.

On July 13, 2020, Edwin tested COVID positive, being asymptomatic. He had been away from the luxury of his home for months and had hardly got back when he had to return to a COVID care centre. As protocols for home quarantine for asymptomatic persons were just coming in at the time, my housing society (Sonata) – on hearing about his positive asymptomatic status – passed a resolution that he could opt to stay at home while he recovers.

They assured us that should he turn symptomatic, they would help out in every possible, including the shift to ESI hospital. It is another matter that Edwin chose to follow the protocol for medical staff and went to Margao Residency where he stayed until he was released for home quarantine. But my neighbours’ gesture to not just welcome but also facilitate his stay at home with his family warmed my heart.