Covid-19 and Dreams: A Crushed Reality vs Unbroken Hope
Yes! Covid-19 was a pandemic that claimed the lives of almost 45 million people worldwide and continues to take lives every day. It has crushed countless dreams and significantly affected individuals who have suffered a great deal due to the virus.
A Big Yes
Realistically, dreams are being ruined in all directions we look. Families that have lost loved ones face the terrible reality that their dreams can never be realized. Doctors work tirelessly, day in and day out, fighting a cause that seems unending. Patients spend isolated time, trying to keep others safe. Elderly people are cut off from social interactions, the main source of their enjoyment. Those separated from their support group physically and those with ailments who can't access hospitals due to the pandemic overload also suffer. The list goes on, and while it’s important not to ignore the permanent and irreversible damage that this virus has caused, it is also crucial not to lose hope for the future.
Positive and hopeful thoughts are important, but facing reality is equally important. This virus has changed us, even in small ways, and it will take time to recover and rebuild.
Dreams Can Never be Ruined: Just Don't Stop Believing!
No matter how challenging the situation may seem, dreams can never be fully shattered. While the current reality is grim, there is always hope. This section will explore the personal and academic impact of the pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced in education and personal life, but also emphasizing the resilience and hope that still exists.
Academic Life During Pandemic
Our college was one of the first in Kolkata to resume in-person classes in March. We had completed the entire course on superior extremities, including dissection and demonstrations. Just as we were starting on the thoracic region, the classes had to be shifted to online mode. Understanding the intricate relationships of the heart, lungs, and their structures and branches without visual aids is incredibly challenging. The recent online exams, both theoretical and practical, underscore the difficulties of remote learning in a subject as visual and tactile as anatomy.
"We need to SEE-HEAR-FEEL it in order to understand it!" As our esteemed Anatomy Head of Department (HOD) has often reminded us, the traditional methods of teaching anatomy cannot be fully replicated online. The hands-on experience is irreplaceable, and the online education model has its limits.
Personal Life During Pandemic
Personality and social interactions have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Family time, which is often the foundation of stability, has been altered. Meeting siblings and spending quality time with them has become more challenging. The mental and physical toll of taking on the responsibilities of a covid duty adds to the stress. The absence of teachers, friends, and other social connections has added to the isolation and loneliness many of us feel.
But it is important to acknowledge the contributions of those who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic—our "covid warriors." Their sacrifices have been unmatchable, and the support and gratitude from budding medical students like myself towards them are profound. While life might be challenging, we all move forward with hope and resilience.
In conclusion, while the pandemic has undoubtedly ruined many dreams, it has also instilled a rare sense of unity, resilience, and hope. The road to recovery may be long, but the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter with each day.