We start week 24 in Karachi, where protests have broken out

 Edited BY

G P Kennedy

Tassy - Karachi, Pakistan

 It seems as if the torrential rains that we experienced a couple of weeks ago have died down for the time being. Everyone has been trying to get their houses back in order undergoing repair work after the damage caused by the storms. The generous citizens took it upon their own hands to organize relief camps for the poor in hard-hit areas.

 

 Assistance was in the form of money, food, water, clothing, and other amenities to alleviate some of their woes after widespread damage in many parts of the city. There were also some peaceful protests organized by groups of people against the Government authorities against their failure and complacency in handling the poor drainage facilities and their failure to restore electricity in many areas.

 

 What they were demanding were simply their basic rights. Many of my friends did not have electricity in their homes for up to 6 days after the storms!

Citizens peacefully protesting against the authorities

 Even after several days, stagnant water has been lying in many areas becoming infestation grounds for mosquitoes and diseases.

 The Government unveiled a trillion Rupee development project for the uplift of Karachi. Its implementation however remains a question mark as a tussle has arisen between and the federal and provincial governments.

Stagnant water still remains in various localities, almost two weeks after the torrential rains

 Within this conflict, there is an undertone of a battle between two political parties, one that runs the province of Sindh where Karachi is situated, and the other being the party that runs the federal government who wants to take credit for Karachi’s transformation package. The political tussle means that Karachi and its citizens continue to suffer.

 In the meanwhile, researchers at Pakistan’s top medical university have discovered in a study that 95% of those who tested positive for COVID-19 through blood tests were asymptomatic. A percentage that is significantly higher than the developed world. Since these people who did not have any outward signs or symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing and hence did not seek any medical attention, Pakistan’s health care system has fortunately not come under any strain to date. 

 

 The total number of reported cases in the country remains low at just over 300,000 for a population of 180 million, with only 6400 deaths so far. Daily testing of 20,000 to 30,000 a day however still remains very low for a population of this size.

No signs of social distancing at a hospital despite markings on floors

 Needless to say, the virus is far from over. But the vast majority of the people continue to lead their lives as normal without any masks. Some shops, offices, and hospitals make it mandatory for masks to be worn but it still seems way too little to me. I have overheard many people saying that Corona in Pakistan is gone.

 

 I met a friend of mine the other day that is a leading fashion designer for bridal wear. She said after a brief lull in business, people have resumed flocking to her to demand extravagant dresses for large engagements and weddings. Weddings in Pakistan are elaborate affairs with almost 800 attendees often being the norm. Even visualizing a group that size makes me shudder.

 After a six-month hiatus, in-person schools, colleges, and educational institutions are also set to open to students in phases from next week.

 Ever since my return from Dubai a couple of weeks ago I have ventured out a little more than before. I went to the supermarket for the first time in six months. I visited a hospital for some routine checks. I even visited a few friends who are outside the original circle of a handful of friends I was seeing all this time. 

 The biggest change has been my willingness and agreement to start in-person classes for my yoga therapy at my studio at home. I would say that now 80 % of my students are coming to me personally for classes while the others still continue on line. Over the weekend I attended a dinner party at a friend’s house. There were 14 people in all.  This was certainly the largest gathering I have attended in a long time.  I enjoyed it thoroughly.

 I feel better about slowly beginning to resume some aspects of my normal life even though I know the crisis is far from over. I go about wearing my masks, washing my hands as often as I can, and plastering my hands with hand sanitizer when I’m out. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable meeting a group much larger than 15 people. I still don’t feel comfortable about going to my gym. I am however less paranoid and feel definitely more brazen.