As some health experts, whose personal observations and identifications I have benefited from, have emphasized with concern, unfortunately, the course of the Covid-19 epidemic in our country as we enter winter is not heart-warming at all. On the one hand, it is stated that the current cases have multiplied the first closure period many times, and the situation is 'disastrous'; on the other hand, those who still do not take the epidemic and the measures seriously enough increase the risk.

I took an elevator to go down in a building that I visited recently. There was a nurse in the same elevator. I thought that she must have come from a center that provides private nursing services and is serving someone in this building. What really caught my attention was that she was wearing a double mask like me. Without wasting any time, I immediately spoke:

– You are wearing a double mask like me. How do you see the situation as someone in the medical sector?

- The situation is dire.

- How terrible is it?

– None of us know the exact numbers, but I can make a guess; even during the prohibition period, I think the number of patients was a quarter of what it is now.

– No kidding! The situation is that bad...

- Be careful. This is no joke!

– Thank you for your recommendation.

On the same day, I called a close friend of mine who is a manager in the medical sector. What the nurse said made me wonder. I asked him about the situation and got a similar answer:

– The situation is terrible, Serhan. Hospitals are overflowing. Be careful!

 

In fact, since last month, I've often heard conversations like "Oh, be careful, the circle is getting tighter" with whomever I talked to. After my dialogue with the nurse, I started to notice more and more news that the situation was getting worse, like selective perception. Just in those days, politicians began to make statements and warn the public.

Finally, the bans came the other day. You can read the details of the bans that will be effective as of November 20 at https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/sokaga-cikma-kisitlamasi-geldi-iste-yasak-olan-saatler-ve-tum-detaylar?page=11.

The 'I wish' series...

While thinking about all this, I started to think about where we went wrong. Then the following 'I wish' subjects came to my mind:

• The obligation to wear a mask should have been introduced in March, which is considered the beginning of the pandemic in Turkia.

• Very strict measures should have been taken for flights coming from abroad. For example, not taking any non-Turkish citizens without a Covid-19 test. And not accepting the positive testing individuals into the country.

• Sports matches (soccer, basketball etc.) should have been cancelled until the end of the pandemic. I wrote an article criticizing the Football Federation on this subject: https://www.serhansuzer.com/en/futbol-super-ligimiz-basladi-hayirli-olsun-mu

• Distance education should have been continued. Partial opening of schools was a wrong decision in my opinion. It is a serious risk for children to study together in crowded classrooms, both for themselves and their families.

• The shooting of TV series and movies working with large crews should have been banned until the pandemic passed.

• Cinemas should have been closed from the first days of the pandemic.

• Events such as weddings, circumcisions and celebrations where crowds gathered should have been banned until the pandemic was over. If people were persisting on getting married - I'm talking about those who are obsessed with marriage or those who would die because of love - then the weddings should have been postponed until after the epidemic, observing social distance before the wedding, with masks, and with only the wedding officer, the couple to be married and two witnesses.

• If 'open space' and 'social distance' were observed in places such as restaurants and bars. Unopened spaces should have been closed.

• Collective events should have been prohibited at home. This includes all events such as henna nights, house parties, engagements, women's collective days.

• Travel tours in the country and abroad should have been banned.

• If information was transmitted every day, including the 'prime time' generations of televisions, in order to raise public awareness about Covid-19.

 

Sad news of increasing records

This list will get longer. I'm cutting it off here for now. You know exactly what I mean. After all, with these simple moves, the number of people with Covid-19 could have been much less, and we wouldn't be dealing with the current bans in this way.

However, there is a truth. Right now, the second wave has hit much harder. In other words, no one has the luxury of "making a joke of this" as I mentioned in the title of my article. On the contrary, the situation is very serious. The epidemic has exploded seriously, and the number of people who get sick and die from Covid-19 every day is breaking new records. I think these bans, which were put under control in the current period, is the right decision. Of course, it is possible to hear the criticisms of many people on different issues. Some say that bans should be imposed according to age and some according to hours, while others say that the bans are chaotic and that no one understands anything. There were those who expressed this issue humorously and shared it on social media:

In conclusion, the intent is correct. A hard handbrake was required to stop the increasing multiplier effect caused by our beloved nation, which was unaware that we were going through a global epidemic and a serious health crisis. And this happened. Let's try to follow the rules, no matter how complex the restrictions are. I would like to share with you a diagram explaining the bans in order to better understand the subject:

My personal recommendations

 

In the meantime, I would like to give you some advice to protect yourself and not get the virus during the pandemic process, regardless of bans:

 

• Wear a double mask.

 

• Make sure to ventilate the place you’re in. You don't have to keep the window open all the time during this period especially when the weather starts to get colder. You can also open and close the window at certain periods. As long as your place is getting air circulation.

 

• Make your interactions (meetings, meals, etc.) in open spaces as much as possible. If there is no open space, be sure to be in a place where you can open the window.

 

• Always open the window if there are other people with you while you are in the car. You do not need to open it completely; it is enough if you open it to provide air circulation.

• It is very critical to keep your immune system strong. So, make sure you get good sleep. Pay attention to your food. If possible, take a vitamin supplement.

• If you can, gargle at least once a day, and if possible, several times a day. This can be done with salt water, with special mouthwash solutions, with mouth-fresheners but also mouth-cleansing products like Listerine.

• Clean your nose at least once a day. It's enough to just clean it with water.

• If possible, do not go out. Only go out when absolutely necessary, but don't forget to take all your precautions.

• Disinfect the phones and laptops you use at least once a day. Wipe it with disinfectant (alcohol-based) solutions.

• Do not enter crowded places. Do not enter, especially if it is indoors.

• Pay attention to social distancing wherever you are.

• Pay extra attention to your personal hygiene. In addition to taking a shower once a day, washing your hands constantly or using cologne/disinfectant, and if you have come from outside, be sure to clean again.

• Be sure to disinfect containers, bottles, etc. that you bring from the outside (food from the market, etc.). Be sure to disinfect and place cleanly in the refrigerator or cabinets.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Be extra careful when visiting people, especially the elderly. For example, if your grandparents have a large dining table, sit at the far end of the table. Always open the window while eating at home, and wear a mask under all circumstances, except for when eating.

 

For now, this is the advice I can give you on these issues, which I personally pay great attention to. Although theres good news that the vaccine has started to come out, it seems that it will take time for those vaccines to reach us. Experts in this business state that the environment can return to normal by next winter at the earliest. Until then, be sure to follow my advice above, whether there are bans or not.

 

All those who have been treated for Covid-19 have said similar things: "This is a terrible disease... Oh, don't get caught... It's destroying people... It's been a blessing that we survived... Thank God."

 

The most critical issue here is to protect yourself and not catch Covid-19 until you are vaccinated.

I wish everyone comfort, and to get well soon to those who got sick, God's mercy to those whose relatives passed away, and patience to all people. Until we are all vaccinated, we have to grit our teeth. We’ll get there!

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