I recently took the elevator down to go downstairs in a building I was visiting. There was a nurse in the same elevator. I thought she must have come from a private nursing center and was providing services to 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 interjected:
– You’re wearing a double mask, like me. As someone in the medical field, how do you see the situation?
– The situation is dire.
– How dire?
– None of us know the exact numbers, but I can make a guess: even during the curfew, I think the number of patients was a quarter of what it is now.
– Don’t do it! The situation is that dire…
– Be careful, you guys. This is no joke!
– Thank you for your advice.
– That same day, I called a close friend who is a manager in the medical sector. The nurse’s words piqued my curiosity. I asked her about the situation and received a similar response:
– The situation is dire, Serhan. The hospitals are overflowing. Be careful! In fact, since last month, I’d been hearing things like, “Be careful, the circle is closing,” everywhere I spoke. After my conversation with the nurse, I started to see more and more news that the situation was getting worse, like selective perception. Around that same time, politicians started making statements and warning the public.
Finally, the bans came the other day. You can read the details of the bans, which will take effect from 20 November, at https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/sokaga-cikma-kisitlamasi-geldi-iste-yasak-olan-saatler-ve-tum-detaylar?page=11 .
A series of “If Onlys”…
As I thought about all this, I started wondering where we went wrong. Then the following came to mind, and I said “If Onlys” to myself about many things. I wish:
- Mask-wearing had been mandatory in March, which is considered the beginning of the pandemic in Turkey.
- Strict measures had been taken on flights arriving from abroad. For example, we should not have admitted non-Turkish citizens without a COVID-19 test. We should not have admitted those who tested positive into the country.
- Sports events (soccer, basketball, etc.) should have been canceled until the pandemic was over. I wrote an article criticizing the Turkish Football Federation about this: https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/futbol-super-ligimiz-basladi-hayirli-olsun-mu
- Remote education should have continued. I believe the partial reopening of schools was the wrong decision. Children learning together in crowded classrooms poses a serious risk to both themselves and their families.
- Filming of TV series and films that require large crews should have been banned until the pandemic is over.
- Cinemas should have been closed from the first days of the pandemic.
- Events that bring together large crowds, such as weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and celebrations, should have been banned until the pandemic is over. If people absolutely want to get married, I’m talking about those obsessed with marriage or those who have fallen out of love—then they should have held their wedding ceremonies outdoors, observing social distancing, wearing masks, with no more than the officiant, the couple, and two witnesses. Weddings should have been postponed until after the pandemic.
- ’’Open space’ and ‘social distancing’ should have been mandated in restaurants and bars. Venues with windows that don’t open should have been closed.
- Group gatherings at home should have been banned. This includes all events such as henna nights, house parties, engagements, and women’s social gatherings.
- Group travel tours, both domestic and international, should have been banned.
- Information should have been broadcast daily, including on prime-time television, to raise public awareness about COVID-19.
Sad news records
This list could go on and on. I’ll stop here for now. You get my point. After all, with these simple steps, the number of COVID-19 cases could have been much lower, and we wouldn’t have to deal with the current restrictions in this way. However, one thing remains clear: the second wave has hit much harder. In other words, no one has the luxury of “taking it easy” anymore, as I mentioned in the title of my article. On the contrary, the situation is very serious. The pandemic has exploded significantly, and the number of people getting sick and dying from COVID-19 is breaking new records every day. I believe these restrictions, implemented to control the situation at this time, are the right decision. Of course, we can also hear criticism from many people on various issues. Some argue that restrictions should be imposed by age, others by hour, while others argue that the restrictions are confusing and that no one understands anything. Some humorously addressed this issue and shared it on social media:
Ultimately, the intention was right. A drastic handbrake was needed to stop the spreading pandemic, which was caused by our beloved nation, unaware that we were going through a global pandemic and experiencing a serious health crisis. And that’s what happened. Let’s try to comply with the rules, no matter how complex the restrictions imposed, for a better understanding. I’d like to share a diagram explaining the restrictions with you:
My Personal Recommendations
Meanwhile, whether restrictions are in place or not, I’d like to offer some advice to protect yourself and avoid contracting the virus during the pandemic:
- Wear a double mask.
- Ventilate the space wherever you are. As the weather begins to cool, you don’t have to keep the windows open all the time. You can open and close them periodically, just to allow the space to be aired out.
- Conduct your meetings (meetings, meals, etc.) outdoors whenever possible. If there’s no outdoor space available, be sure to find a place where you can open the window and open the window immediately nearby.
- When driving with others, be sure to open the window. You don’t need to open it completely; simply opening it and allowing air to circulate is sufficient.
- Keeping your immune system strong is crucial. Therefore, make sure you get enough sleep. Pay attention to your diet. Take vitamin supplements if possible.
- If you can, gargle your throat at least once a day, or several times if possible. This can be done with salt water, special gargle solutions, or mouth-freshening products like Listerine that also cleanse the mouth.
- Blow your nose at least once a day. Even just snorting is sufficient.
- Avoid going outside if possible. Only go out when deemed necessary, but don’t forget to take all necessary precautions.
- Disinfect your phones and laptops at least once a day. Wipe them down with disinfectant (alcohol-based) solutions.
- Avoid crowded places. Especially indoors.
- Maintain social distancing wherever you are.
- Pay extra attention to personal hygiene. In addition to showering once a day, washing your hands regularly, and using cologne/disinfectant, be sure to clean up after returning from outside.
- Be sure to disinfect any containers, bottles, etc., that you bring in from outside (food from the supermarket, etc.) and place them cleanly in the refrigerator or cabinets.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Be extra careful, especially when visiting elderly people. For example, if your grandmother or grandfather has a large dining table, sit at the far end of it. Always open the window when eating at home and always wear a mask around them except while eating.
For now, these are the only tips I can offer you on these matters, which I personally pay close attention to. While there is good news that the vaccine is starting to be released, it seems it will take time for those vaccines to reach us. Experts in this field state that things could return to normal by next winter at the earliest. Until then, regardless of restrictions, be sure to follow the advice above. All those who have contracted COVID-19 and are receiving treatment say similar things: “This is a terrible disease… Don’t catch it… It’s devastating… Our survival was a great blessing… Thank God.”
The most critical point here is to protect yourself and avoid contracting COVID-19 until you’re vaccinated.
I wish everyone well, get well soon to those who are sick, God’s mercy upon those whose loved ones have passed away, and patience for everyone. We must all grit our teeth until we’re vaccinated. Oh, keep trying!
Tag: health
