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Be ready with a ‘grab and go’ bag that answers all needs
“Keep an emergency ‘go bag’ ready at all times. Have cleaning supplies packed and ready. Pack bedlinen, a pillow, towel and clothes that are easily washed for reuse. Take coffee or whatever you want to drink that is warm. Take your medicines – don’t expect to be able to source them at quarantine centres as they might not have what you need in stock,” said vocal trainer, artist and mental health advocate Kumudini David, who spent nearly two weeks as a COVID patient at a government treatment centre.
She left the Rambukkana-Pinnawala COVID Treatment Centre on Thursday after 11 days with blessings from hundreds of women who benefited from a programme she initiated while being treated for the virus.
Kumudini David with some of her companions at the centre
At Ms. David’s urging, kind donors raised close to a million rupees, which went to buy much-needed services and items such as phone reloads, diapers, cereals and biscuits for children, plastic utensils, snacks, towels, sanitary pads, soap, shampoo and other hygiene products for those at the treatment centre.
To lift the spirits of those quarantined, friends of Ms. David and other donors even sent cupcakes and snacks such as murukku and fried peanuts.
“My request for all is to have an emergency grab-and-go bag ready as we are surrounded by so much uncertainty with the pandemic situation,” Ms. David said.
“At any time, we can be tested positive for the virus; while some people might get time to pack their bags, some are just herded into buses without much time given.”
Ms. David tested positive following a rapid antigen test at a private hospital in Thalawathugoda after experiencing fever, headache and body aches along with loss of smell and taste. She had only half an hour to pack her bag before being taken to Lunawa Hospital in an ambulance with various other people who had tested positive, and later to Rambukkana COVID Treatment Centre.
“Most of the fellow patients were using basic push-button phones and were in need of Rs.100 reloads or Rs. 99 data cards. I kept hearing of some using laundry soap to wash their hair and some not having diapers for children, or girls being shy to ask for sanitary pads from military personnel. Most of us were helpless as our cash was considered contaminated,” Ms. David said.
“From donations, I was able to order things online from a Kegalle branch of a supermarket chain and make reloads. We got data cards from donors. With these, most senior children were able to attend online classes too. Donated stationery, colouring books and pastel crayons helped to keep the small children occupied,” Ms. David said.
“If we are not ready,” she warned, “this will be indeed a nightmare for most of us”.
She suggests having Dettol or disinfectant, a toilet roll, face masks, toilet cleaner, toothbrushes, soap, a clean plastic bowl or two and a jug, towels, cereals, rusks, cologne, personal medicines sufficient for two weeks, a flask, snacks, a phone charger, an electric kettle to heat water especially to inhale steam, snacks and ready-to-eat cup noodles.
She also suggests packing jam, Marmite or anything that offers a punch to the tastebuds. “When one contracts COVID it is common to lose your sense of taste and feel like you’re eating straw,” Ms. David said.
“We had about 120 women and children from Kuliyapitiya – a few families from fishing communities. Most of them were not prepared. Luckily, we were able to help them out. But this is not the case in many treatment centres. Being prepared is the best way,” she said. 