LMGC principal recovers from Covid, gets ‘DoPlasma’ initiative rolling
Aashrita Dass (44), principal of La Martiniere Girls College (LMGC), Lucknow, who recovered from Covid-19 around April 20, feels that she and others like her, who were fortunate enough to return home, can help others battle the coronavirus infection and in their speedy recovery.
Soon after recovering, she gave a thought to start something new and rolled out the ‘Do-Plasma’ initiative for the benefit of serious Covid patients.
“LMGC is helping the Do-Plasma in its endeavour to connect willing plasma donors with the potential recipients across the country by creating an organised common database. We also have a dedicated helpline number, where our volunteers assist donors and patients in the registration process,” Dass said. (Helpline number 8448440754 and the link to donor/recipient registration form: https://linktr.ee/ do.plasma).
Dass, who contracted Covid-19 in the first week of April, quarantined herself at home. “How I contracted it, is still a question. I did not attend any social gathering / wedding etc. I held only official meetings which were absolutely required, through the past year,” reads her Facebook post.
On April 11, her condition worsened, calling for hospitalisation and oxygen support. “I was rushed to a government Covid hospital. Gradually, stable levels were reached. I was discharged from the hospital on April 16,” she said.
However, personal experiences have a way of delving deeper and bringing you up close to the importance of seemingly innocuous and intangible things that we tend to take for granted in the daily hustle of life, read her social media post.
The principal of this all-girls institution said, “Knowing something and experiencing it at first hand are aspects completely poles apart. When I had isolated myself at home, the emotional toll of not being able to see my family and living with the constant fear for their safety was a dreadful reality. I did not think it could get worse for me.”
However, going alone to the hospital to get admitted in the Covid-19 ward was even grimmer, she said. “There, uncertainty and fragility of life is stark, and desperation is palpable with each person- be it patients, doctors, nurses or staff- doing their best to turn the tide against an almost hopeless and helpless situation,” she said.
“Imagine spending hours in stifling protective kits every day and knowing every second that there are risks to your own life as well as loved ones. Imagine knowing that the best efforts may not be enough. Imagine being in the midst of dozens suffering as you are and not all making it out,” reads her social media post.
If you’re among the fortunate ones who have been spared, you must understand that you and only you alone can keep yourself safe from the virus. Please do not throw caution to the wind and do not believe for a second that it cannot affect you!
“If you know somebody fighting the virus, keep them in your prayers. Believe me, they need it. Be mindful and empathetic,” she urged.
On April 20, Dass received her Covid negative report and thanked god for the life. “What a blessing. I can only thank god for the wonderful family and friends he sent me to keep me and my family positive,” she said.
“A big shout out to the medical fraternity, who are easily taking upto 200-300 Covid/ nonCovid related health queries daily on the phone which is apart from their regular tiring duties, studies and that too, most time free of cost!,” reads her another social media post.
“So, if you are privileged enough to have a doctor helping you over phone for free, don’t misuse it by bothering them multiple times for small issues and certainly not even once for availability of beds, oxygen or medicines,” she said.
Her advice to those battling with Covid-19 is: “Hang strong to your prayers and faith. Mask up. Look after yourselves.”