Bengaluru: Covid survivor shares info online, says there’s hope

BENGALURU: After turning Covid positive, Seema Vikas Gadiya suffered from fever, fatigue and other symptoms before recovering after 11 days — on April 18.
But those days of battling the symptoms and quarantining alone made the 39-year old motivational speaker from Basavanagudi realise the mental health implications of the infection as well as misinformation floating around it.
That is when she decided to use social media platforms to raise awareness about the second wave of Covid-19. “It was no longer the banana-bread, Dalgona coffee-making 2020 lockdown period, but a more serious phase,” she said. Seema had conducted ‘lockdown recovery’ sessions last year too.
From an explainer video on how she dealt with Covid and isolation to posters on finding beds in the city, Seema is building a treasure trove of information. “There are lots of misconceptions, panic and stress among people. It is natural under the present circumstances. So I wanted to put out information that could help people look at the situation with common sense, confidence and optimism — from not stepping out unnecessarily to not blindly relying on information through WhatsApp,” she said.
Seema has spoken about plasma donation, addressed myths associated with it and who is eligible to donate. “After that video, I received so many messages from young people,” she said, adding that she has also been working with Mumbai-based group, Plasma Warriors.
Seema said she was suggested by some well-wishers not to speak out about being Covid positive as there was still stigma associated with the infection. “But I felt it was my duty to share my story and what I learnt from my journey,” she asserted. She was asked to make some informational posters for an NGO and her young daughters helped her with such Covid-related activities.
She says 80% of Covid patients can isolate and recover at home by following all the regulations diligently, while 20% would need hospitalisation. But it all boils down to how one manages the symptoms and stress. “Stress can drastically compromise a person’s immune system. Rather, patients must ensure they are connected with their loved ones through video calls or messages even in isolation. Words of encouragement and family support can go a long way,” she said.
However, not all is rosy for her. A few days ago, Seema was depressed when a person she was trying to help with plasma succumbed to Covid. “She was only 25. It hit me emotionally when I got to know she passed away. I broke down but realised I need to keep going on. I composed myself, took inspiration from her and re-started my work,” she said, adding, “There is hope and there is a better tomorrow. In faith, we will all find miracles.”