How the Covid 2nd wave unfolded — from an individual's lens.

This writing is purely a “Diary” view of how the 2nd wave of covid19 infections in India unfolded.

Dec’20 — I decided to take the trip from Pune to Hyderabad. This was a big deal, This decision had 2 important factors 1) I was feeling fatigued with all the WFH 2) growing confidence over infections being in control. I took a Indigo flight (100% occupied), stayed in a hotel, met my friends in Hyderabad, we dined at a restaurant ( infact most restaurants had long waiting times so we had to shift location 3 times). Took a metro back to my hotel. Came back to Pune. My arogyasetu app showed that I was at moderate risk. Isolated myself for 2 days, did not show any symptoms.

Jan’21 — Swifting through the channels, I stumble upon this report on Al Jazeera on how Brazil is struggling with oxygen shortages in the second wave. People standing in line for hours to buy oxygen cylinders in open market.

Feb’21 — Cases continued a downward trend, our office started a slow back to work program. Employees were given an option of coming to office 1 day in a week with limited seatings. I decided to take a trip, be with colleagues and experience our wonderful conference room. It felt good to be back at work.

30th March 21 — I decided to order a take away from one of my fav South Indian restaurants here in Pune. When I reached the restaurant to take my order, the restaurant had close to 20 women from the same group. Probably meeting after a long time. By this time there were murmurs of cases being on the rise in some parts of the country including in the state Maharashtra but no lockdowns or change of instructions from govt.

31st March 21 — I was down with high fever(103), I initially suspected this to be a case of food poisoning. But just to be careful I completely isolated myself.

1st April — Decided to visit a hospital nearby, was prescribed the RT-PCR test. Used 1MG app to order the test for myself, the guy came the next day, collected the sample and results were available a day after ( reflecting that the case loads were not that high).

3rd April — My reports turn in +ve and I decide to drive to one of the reputed hospitals in Pune city (Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital). While driving I see the markets in the city bustling with people. Street food vendors had customers, Malls were open. I reach the hospital and I was told to visit the fever OPD hall where physicians were checking on people with +ve reports. The hall about 30 mostly with mild symptoms — some of them visiting because they had lost sense of smell and taste (no fever or cough).

14th April — State of Maharashtra announces the lockdown.

As of today — Vaccinations — 165Mn, reported new cases — 4,03,626, reported Deaths — 4016. Projected infections….