Many people think Covid-19 isn’t real: Fatima

There are many people who think Covid-19 is not real, bas ek naam hai,” says Fatima Sana Shaikh, who tested positive for the virus last month.

Talking about her battle, she says, “We have to realise Covid could happen to anyone. People think there’s no need to wear masks. But it is real and every other person I know is getting infected. Some are lucky and are able to get better, others are struggling. The only thing we can do is follow caution. Apart from that, you can’t do much. I had pain and discomfort in the first 10 days but I am young, and not a co-morbid case, so I recovered.”

The Ludo (2020) actor urges people to be responsible and not take it lightly. She suggests that if you feel sick, get tested and isolate yourself. “But one shouldn’t burden the system either. Just because you have money, doesn’t mean you test often. I have heard of people who get tests unnecessarily. Because of you, someone who is serious might get reports delayed and their life might be at stake,” she observes.

With the spike in cases and curfews and lockdowns imposed, Shaikh feels people should stop thinking about themselves and “be empathetic about the situation”. She adds, “Right now, the priority is not getting back to work or shooting... at the cost of people’s lives? No. We have to keep people safe, be responsible. We can’t think theatre kholna hai, so many people are falling sick and there aren’t enough hospital beds, or medical facilities.”

Amid all the tension, having garnered a positive response for her recent web release, Ajeeb Daastaans, Shaikh says she is feeling “calm” as she has some good projects at hand. “When you’re working, things feel fine. But when you’re uncertain, the idle mind troubles you. This is the second year in lockdown so we feel all sorts of emotions. I feel your mental and physical health and that you’re alive is the best gift you have,” she adds.

Popular actor Amit Mistry, 47, known for films like Kya Kehna, Shor In The City and web series Bandish Bandits, died on Friday of a cardiac arrest, his manager said.