Without prompt, or any requests, our partner NGO, Eco Himal Nepal sent us seven essays written by their staff and asked us to publish them for the world to read. We present them here, in raw unedited form. They are beautifully written, informative and moving. The Coronavirus pandemic is a truly global challenge.

My experience in Lockdown

by Anisha Kharel

Lockdown started from March 24, 2020 as announced by Government of Nepal. Amidst the situation of fear due to COVID-19 pandemic around the world, I personally felt happy to hear this announcement by government to its citizens. When Corona Virus was found in late December in Wuhan China, most of the nations including Nepal were relaxed in initial stage of spread. As Nepal is close to mainland of virus, it should have taken precaution in initial stage before any case appeared.

Though in the mid of January, we made official visit to one of our project areas, Sankhuwasabha. We were there till the end of this month. Until this time, I had no fear at all, there was nothing to worry. As soon we returned from Khadbari, food and supplies shortage started in Hatiya and Chepuwa where we work. These areas are close to china border, Kimathanka. Our senior management announced a halt to its every project, since all the people in community were panicking to fulfill their shortage of basic needs.

Personally, talking I am in regular official leave from my regular work but I was happy to see my team working in field areas to create awareness on COVID 19 in Kavrepalanchok. It was a very critical time to conduct awareness in other areas. I didn’t join the awareness campaign, second reason I was suffering from dry cough since Holi festival. In fact, my whole family was suffered at the same time. Meanwhile, my father came from outside to home in official leave. I sometimes used to feel, that we family members are suffered from COVID-19, but I did not force my family to have a blood examination. I don’t feel okay with the time and health facility being not responsible. I felt like people hate if somebody is seen positive. I felt happy, other family members got recovered soon but I still suffered. This time, I had benefit of doubt that corona virus is asymptomatic. So is my condition. As I studied thoroughly about its symptoms, no any symptoms within me except dry cough. Then I started home medication to increase immunity and confidence. I was into developing my healthy habits like drinking hot water frequently.

Since government announced lockdown, I felt like I am in prison. But when I see the outer world, I was happy to see people inside their house, since it is only the one antibiotic to prevent ourselves from corona virus. The news broadcasted in television sometimes disappointed me, because people were in the road and shopping malls, as if everything is going to collapse, they are only the one to survive. Before a day of lockdown, I was panicking and bought some household chores no matter the price hiked surprisingly. I didn’t think of the situation that sanitizer could go out of stock so fast, I didn’t find any of them. I consoled myself that hand washing with alcohol-based hand wash is better while we stay at home. Anyhow we have to survive until further notice.

The 1st and 2nd day were so boring and I could not resist seeing all the news and happenings in YouTube and news portal. Rather I was so interested to see the statement from one of the scientists from America, he predicted that soon corona virus pandemic will disappear. There was a ray of hope inside me. The next morning (3rd day) I woke up and felt like a normal morning which used to be before in our past days. I started writing my experiences how I felt.

It sounds good as I contacted staffs and got, they are at their own house with their family, it’s a relief for me.

The fourth day, as regular the day was passing, I limited my time to see news and social site. I went to buy vegetable stuff in nearby market. I felt like world is stopped, no touching and no conversation in between people. I was aware and had so much fear to touch any items in market. Even though I had to take change back from shopkeeper. When I came back, I washed all those with warm water, sanitized myself, sanitized items and wallet, changed my clothes, and stopped panicking. My sister was with me to accompany to buy in market, I remember she sneezed suddenly, benefit of doubt she got infected.

Some useful things that I did frequently while staying at home;

Limited my social site visit and watch news from authentic source;
regular communication with my parents as they are far from me right now;
washing hands and rubbing with alcohol so often;
cleaning more;
staying in sun;
drying clothes in sun for whole day, maybe the heat will kill virus.

Besides when I tried to study something, it was quite difficult to focus on subject, I had many more to study this time.

Day after day, I started stopped worrying and panicking. I just take care of myself staying inside house and spreading information as much I know. That’s only the effective solution. I learned that washing hand is important to break a chain of virus spread from one to another. Let’s think about this, if an individual is aware, its impact is seen in his/her family, and then to outer world. In case of Nepal only countable number of cases, until I am writing this.

Day by day, my hope rises that this pandemic sooner going to end, as more people have been aware and they started home quarantine, they have adjusted themselves to stay in home. People who have travel history from abroad with COVID-19 symptoms are in contact with hospitals for their blood test. Slowly government is tracing their past contacted people, lots of news in media to search and identify people who have travelled in these periods outside the country. Government is also providing incentives to people who helps to find out such people.

The only thing that comes in my mind, for those who earns in daily wages are going to be suffered a lot until and unless government declares free food and supplies to its citizens. I am hopeful that the Nepal government makes a good decision in benefit of people.

I am a woman, literally in our country context, during our first menstruation, girls are not allowed to stay in their own house, they move to either relatives or friends house (I am not an exception to this situation). We are not allowed to see our seniors, especially father, brother and whoever is a male in or around the house. Not allowed to enter kitchen, have to take bath before others come and see us washing our clothes, and cannot be exposed to sun. We had to take help from our sisters to dry our clothes, being untouchable, food is served in separate utensils and later it should be washed and dried ourselves without touching the source of water. Having faced this critical time, I wonder why I worried during first two days while we stayed in home quarantine. I realized quarantine is far better than the days in our first menstruation. The only difference now we are facing is getting spread of COVID-19.

28th March 2020

Anisha Kharel
EcoHimal Nepal
District Coordinator
Kathmandu