RIP Dr. Li Wenliang - Doctors in the Frontline #Corona

Dr. Li Wenliang,

The great humanitarian doctor who alerted the World to the severity of  Corona, succumbed to the same while saving others. In a vivid illustration of how the virus has affected those in the frontline fighting it, the medical workers, the para military staff, Dr Wenliang contracted the virus while working in the Wuhan Central hospital.

Dr Li Wenliang alerted the World to the Corona Virus as early as December 30, 2019. He was dubbed a whistle blower. However the severity of the virus would have come out anyways considering its impact.

Dr. Wenliang detected the severity of the virus early and messaged his colleagues to wear protective clothing in the early days of the disease. He apparently found several patients with a SARs like virus who had frequented a local seafood market. He was subsequently admonished by the authorities for spreading rumours and apparently made to sign a document to that effect!

Dr. Li was just 34 years when he succumbed to Corona virus. Lets take a moment to mourn this fearless warrior. After being admitted on 10th Jan, Dr. Li succumbed to the dreaded disease early on the morning of 7th Feb, 2020. There was widespread grief and outcry in China on the passing away of the Doctor.

How many lives did he save by bringing the corona into public notice?  But for his warning, the disease might have travelled fast out of Wuhan and the whole of China would still be battling a crisis of even gargantuan proportions. As of now China is almost virus free with its efficient handling of a terrible situation, while the whole world is still battling it. Corona Virus cases have topped 400000 (4 lakhs) now, worldwide.

RIP Dr Marcello Natali - Doctors in the Frontline #Corona

When Dr, Marcello Natali came back from retirement to fight the Corona Virus and be a a part of the country's overwhelmed health care system, he had little idea it would be his last fight. The Doctor from Codogno came back from retirement when the deadly virus hit his small Italian town. Codogno emerged as a cluster for the virus when an Italian Cruise ship landed in its backyard, a ship which had an infected patient. Dr. Natali's father was also a doctor.

Before Dr Natali died, he brought to the attention of the country, the pressure on the Health Care system by the sudden onslaught of the virus. He talked about health care persons having to work without basic latex gloves! As a result maximum number of healthcare professionals have been affected in Italy in their fight against Corona. But this speaks more about the deadliness of the virus as it hits upon countries after countries, than the preparedness. For a relatively comfortable European town, this virus came as an avalanche and swamped the system.

I belong to a family of doctors with both my parents, numerous uncles and aunts, my brother, a my grandfather also being Doctors. I have seen the selfless service they have rendered to the community, treating patients through sleepless nights and low pay. One bed in our house was always reserved for outstation patients. Even unknown patients have come and stayed in our outhouse, for free, while awaiting treatment. I have seen my father, uncle, grandfather revered as Gods and miracle workers though all three were too impatient personalities to stop and acknowledge these sentiments!  This has somehow given us all a deep sense of reverence for the medical professionals.

Love live the medical community as it goes down to work everyday amidst lockdowns and fights cases, coming back from retirement, despite lack of gloves, amenities, systems.

RIP Dr Natali, a true upholder of the Hippocratic Oath.

Corona Trap #10000 Dead

Now that one is trapped with #coronavirus and #janatalockdown, a good time to go back to blogging. I find that the last post i wrote was right before my China trip. Yes, I had been to a trip to China in early December. To Kunming and Sanya. What a change since then. What a change for China, what a change for the World. We are in a WWIII situation since then. China, especially Hubei province has had a lockdown, and more importantly come out of it. Chinese Doctors are helping fight the disease, whose epicentre has shifted to Europe.

Will India be the next epicentre? We all are hoping not, keeping fingers crossed and staying away from each other and work.

Why call it WWIII? All countries are fighting, all are on lockdown, and hundreds of people are dying daily. This war has happened without a shot being fired (though seeing a forwarded video of people stocking up on firearms, makes one think how long the situation will last!)

As peopl are falling off the streets and dying in beautiful Italy, one cannot grieve enough. How many people actually died in China? The official figures say 3248. the rumours say much much more. Lets give a moment to grieve for these people and all the people upended by this virus.

Today is the day when the death figures of the virus has crossed 10000 worldwide.

What is heartening is that all the World leaders, either through fast or slow reactions, are determined to save their people.

Here's hoping for an healthy World.