‘HAVE TO STOP YOUNGEST ONE FROM HUGGING’

Amid Covid-19 crisis, women medical professional and public servants have had to stay away from their family, especially children, to reduce the chance of them getting infected. Today, on Mother’s Day, some of them share their personal experiences and challenges through the pandemic.

Dr Arti Rishi, an associate consultant at Covid-19 ICU, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital (YSSH) in Kaushambi, says she is going to spend this Mother’s Day just like last year — treating Covid patients. She is a mother of three — a 19-yearold daughter, a 16-year-old daughter, and a 12-year-old son. “The pandemic has changed the meaning of motherhood for me in several ways,” she said. “Before Covid outbreak, my kids used to welcome me home with tight hugs. Now, while my two older ones understand the circumstances, the youngest one still runs to me. I have to ask him to wait. I go to my room, take a shower, then come out and talk to him... but from a distance.”

“In 2020, we had just started our Covid duties, but I couldn’t isolate myself from my kids as they needed me, too. My eldest had a surgery, and I was her only support — I had to get her dressed, take her to the washroom, etc. Both of us would wear masks as we were in physical contact.”

Last year, her kids had celebrated Mother’s Day by doing all household chores and baking a cake for her. “Let’s see what they have planned this year. I will have to maintain a distance on Mother’s Day too,” she said.