Swati Chinukulu fame Bharatwaj on his battle with COVID-19: I was worried for my grandma and 16-month-old daughter at home
Swati Chinukulu and Bandham fame Bharatwaj is one of those actors in the TV industry who successfully recovered from COVID-19 recently. Unlike many, the actor has been quite vocal about his symptoms and health condition and in an exclusive chat with ETimes-TV, he shares his journey to recovery. Excerpts...
(Photo: Instagram)
I don’t know how I contracted the virus
I’ve stopped eating outside, followed all the precautionary measures on the sets, and carried my own food and water to my shoots. But I don’t know how and where I contracted the virus. Crew members, producers or channels, I can blame no one here. I guess anyone can contract the virus
(Photo: Instagram)
From sneezes to being asymptomatic
In the first week of July, I had sneezes all through the day. I assumed to be due to my allergy towards dust. But I quickly got it tested. I immediately informed the producers, stopped shooting, requested everyone in touch with me to get tested and isolate at the earliest.
(Photo: Instagram)
I was panic-stricken as I had my grandma and 16-month old baby at home
I got my test results almost two days later but more than the anticipation of the results, I was more worried about my grandma and 16-month old baby at home because I’d been to every room and close to everyone by then just like any healthy person would do. But my family gave me strength besides my produces and friends. Luckily, the rest of my family members tested negative and I was under self-isolation.
(Photo: Instagram)
I had symptoms for a day or two
Symptoms are varying from person to person. I had the sneezes for a day and I was very normal from almost the next day. After a week’s time, I even tested negative. All I did was drinking 5-6 litres of hot water daily, lime-salt water, Vitamin pills, fruits and staying positive.
(Photo: Instagram)
What about people who cannot afford the tests?
I got myself and my family tested as I could afford the required time and money. But what about people who cannot afford the tests? I could see a long line of over 200-300 people at the testing centre waiting to submit their sample. I’ve noticed many returning back home and subsequently ignoring unable to wait in those lines and also due to the fear that they might contract the virus there.
(Photo: Instagram)
Many ignore or lie about the symptoms; we must overcome the stigma
Many are asymptomatic and even tend to neglect the minute symptoms owing to various reasons but they can pass it on to someone else. We can avoid the spread by not ignoring even the minutest symptom I feel availability of a doctor and testing equipment on the sets of the show can help us diagnose and isolate anyone infected.
(Photo: Instagram)
Lax attitude towards this virus can cost everyone
We are actors and our work demands us to shoot without masks and interact with many people on a daily basis. But what concerns me is the lax attitude towards wearing masks or following simple precautions regularly. After a few days of shoot, the seriousness is usually lost.
(Photo: Instagram)
Let people fear that I had COVID-19
I know people tend to stigmatize someone including me who has recovered from COVID-19. But on the brighter side, they will wear masks and follow social distancing seriously at least then. I don’t want anyone to come close to me and I don’t mind if the fear of contracting Coronavirus is one of the reasons behind it.
(Photo: Instagram)
Sanitize after performing romantic scenes
I would only tell my co-actors to sanitize properly before and after performing romantic scenes. You don’t have to feel shy or worry about the other person. Let’s think of our families at home, too. Personal hygiene and being responsible can help us keep the spread in control.
(Photo: Instagram)