Quarantine continued...

 Day 8: January 31 and Day 9: February 1, 2022

The first big news for us today is that RT-PCR test given yesterday came out negative including the rest of the hotel inmates who got tested yesterday.

By the way, we are a family of four. While two of us are quarantined here at Phuntsholing for the last 9 days, Arun, our elder son is in an extended quarantine in Paro. He tested positive for COVID after a week-long stay. He suspects he caught it on the plane as he had a negative test report before he flew back from India. He was on a two week trip to Mumbai, an epicenter of Omicron for a filming contract. Who knows at what point in time the virus found its way into his throat! He was asymptomatic and had only mild throat pain, symptoms milder than a common cold. Just this afternoon he is allowed to go home after he tested negative. He was moved from a quarantine facility to an isolation center, another beautiful resort nearby in Paro. This was not enough as he was also bestowed with a special food package gift from the palace. We offer our gratitude to our benevolent King for this extra-ordinary love and care to His people.

Our younger son at home, all by himself, is managing his time and working from home at this challenging times. In the lockdown he seem to have gone a bit philosophical as is evident from some articles that he has posted recently on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bhattaraisrj).

Back in here at Phuntsholing temporary home (central Hotel) time is moving on. I have just completed reading two books in vernacular – Pasinaka Paila by Laxman Gamnage and Gham Astayeko Hoina by Byanjana Sharma. I have also started reading “Factfullness” by Hans Rosling. Thanks to Mr Netra Binod for the e-copy. Reading on the screen is not as comfortable unlike our new generation who simply do not look at the paper prints!

While 8^th day was a pleasant one with sunny and warm weather, looking through the window I witnessed an eagle taking away the peace and the romance of hundreds of pigeons that would fly between the buildings and feed on the generous neighbors who frequently sprinkle some grains on the empty roads below. But these happy-go birds are terrorized by one eagle who seem to be chasing them, perhaps to pick a prey. This chase, which lasted over fifteen minutes resulted in some restlessness and chaos among these symbols of peace. There were also some crows seen crowing and flying mixed with the pigeons, equally restless for whatever reason! Finally, the eagle seems to have left the area, perhaps with a prey that he was seeking.

Back to the updates on news and Facebook posts, the COVID cases in the country seem to be skyrocketing, even to the extent that US has categorised as a  country on high risk.  Looking at the number of cases, it does not seem that the lockdown is going to be lifted soon. In fact it is already extended for one more week as almost all the Dzongkhags are in red, while four of those with over 1500 active cases are newly categorized as “High Burden Dzongkhags”. Every day there is a new record for Bhutan with over 300 new cases today. This border town is leading with 90 community cases as it feels as if the virus is all over in the air. We see much fewer people on the street. The news, government circulars and notifications are constantly changing, often contradicting, causing some amount of confusions among the people. Most recent notifications sent out about the Class X and XII examinations by the Ministry of Education is a clear example of the nervousness and panicky that is prevalent, even in the Government quarters. 

                                      

Globally, the COVID-19 seem not a scary thing anymore. Even in the most developed nations lockdown is not any more the option. In fact the Director General of WHO has repeatedly said that he is not ‘suggesting national lockdowns’ but only appealing for more vaccinations and follow other protocols. BBC discussing about the variant Omicron and its two infectious lineages, BA.1 and BA.2 says, “it is one for the scientists to watch, rather than for the public to be alarmed about at this stage.” Perhaps in Bhutan too it is time to review the way we are dealing with this new strain of milder virus!