Visiting hours opened

Recognising the agony of hospitalised Covid-19 patients — at times, in a critical state and struggling for life — that is compounded by the isolation imposed on them by the treatment protocol, the Rajasthan health department has taken an initiative to make their ordeal less painful. It has permitted family members of the patients to visit them in hospitals on the condition that they don masks, PPE kits and hand gloves before entering the ward. This is a welcome move. In times of sickness, the presence of near and dear ones and appetising home-cooked food do wonders to lift the patient’s sagging spirits. They also act as a soothing balm, relieving the stress and depression emanating from the disease and an existence cut off from the world. No amount of video-calling or virtual contact can compare with the satisfaction provided by a real-life interaction.

This easing of the strict norm is also a relief for the patients’ relatives who have been till now forbidden from rendering care to their ailing parents, siblings or children. The cases of the unfortunate ones who lose the battle to the disease are especially heart-rending as they breathe their last without the family by their side. The onus is now on the family members to adhere to the proper procedure in donning the protective gear and not become carriers of the infection.

This bold attempt to normalise life to a pre-coronavirus stage is the latest in the series of relaxations of the rules that were put in place with little warning in late March in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. India’s lockdown has been one of the strictest in the world. But, unfortunately, notwithstanding all measures, Covid-19 rages on. As unlocking was finally phased in to revive the economy, the back of which was broken during this period, the focus has gradually shifted to learning to live with the disease — with precautions in place. Hopefully, other states will follow suit and open the doors to their Covid-19 facilities to the kin of those admitted, even as the health authorities strive to keep the fatalities down.