Corona made me realize...

I’m writing this account on 4^th of April, approximately 5 months following the discovery of COVID-19. But still the hype is real. These are some reflections this pandemic has made on our lives.

The right time comes at the right time 🕖

In the university, we had a module for microbiology which consisted of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. Since the curriculum is vast, we usually focus on what’s really necessary for the exams. Therefore out of the bible of microbiology we picked some of the important topics that were frequently questioned. This so called bible of microbiology had a couple of pages for corona virus too and we were expected to know only a few important facts on this virus, because it wasn’t that common earlier.

But this will not be the same for the future medical students and I pity them.

In the same microbiology module we had a 45 minutes practical demonstration on handwashing. Most of my colleagues ditched that class. Now I realize that, we shouldn’t have taken it for granted.

So corona made me realize 2 things.

1. When the right time comes, even an ignored virus can flip the world upside down.

2. Never to ditch classes in med school. 😝

West ain’t ideal, is it?

Brain drain is real. In simple words migration of university academics to a foreign country is defined as brain drain. Once one of my friends in Australia told me that the number of Sri Lankans in Melbourne is much higher than the number in Kandy.(He was sarcastic though!) We always tend to see foreigners and the western world as something superior to ourselves.

Yes, they’re white and they use fork & spoon. But also remember they hoarded toilet papers during a pandemic. As of today there are 277,985 total cases of COVID-19 in America. The Roman liberty goddess in the centre of New York city is covering her face with her robe. Either she is trying to protect herself from the virus or she is ashamed of how her country is handling the issue.

You know what, we can continue to proudly boast of our public health infrastructure in SL. In fact, with very little facilities our health system is performing much better than certain high income countries.(I know it’s too early to celebrate, but still)Thanks to all the healthcare providers, tri-forces and the Government of SL.💜

So this time, Corona made me realize that our teeny-weeny island is mighty as well.✌

Difficult times often bring out the best in people…💪

In the past few weeks, several individuals donated millions for corona virus relief fund, star hotels were offered to be used as quarantine centers, local entrepreneurs came out with novel concepts and products such as face shields, antimicrobial paints, safety kits and whatnot.

Above all what touched my heart the most was those police officers playing songs on the streets of Colombo to keep the residents entertained. Hats off to them. It reminded me of the scene where the 8 musicians played their band on the deck while the Titanic was sinking.😳

Preach science…

Recently there was a tweet saying “Science is busy fighting corona virus while Religion is busy fighting over funeral rituals”

Though I’m not a religious person, I respect others’ beliefs. But how ignorant are we to fight over the funeral rituals in an emergency situation like this. We shouldn’t risk someone else’s life for the sake of an irrational religious belief. And then there’s another cluster of population who got infected , solely due to the religious gatherings they’ve attended to.

Religion is based upon faith; science is based upon facts. God is for the heart; science is for the brain. So never challenge science with anything else.

So corona made me realize that you should PREACH SCIENCE to your kids! You’ll never get disappointed.😎

Life is simpler than I thought…

Being a student of a local university & especially the medical faculty, staying at home for months is not a new thing to me (IYKWIM :p). When you have nothing else to do you often get an existential crisis kind of feeling. Most of us tend to lose our true self in this tied-up world. This pandemic made me realize how simple our lives could be and how much we’ve got it complicated. Everyone is staying at home. No parties, events, parades or gatherings. We’ve ignored the luxury. Just a plate of rice and a simple curry for lunch. Pets to play with. Your garden to cherish.

Food, shelter, clothes and a tinge of love. This is what life is & everything else is auxiliary, Corona made me realize.

On a side note it also made me realize that whatever stuff you post today, your friends would laugh at them in a few years time!!!😂😂

Thank you 😊

Dhanushkar Ravindran

Faculty of Medicine