Vaccinating India’s population will be an uphill task: Aftab

Having battled Covid-19 himself last year, Aftab Shivdasani can relate to the present situation in the country and the suffering of thousands of people. “It’s heartbreaking and pathetic at the same time,” says the actor, adding, “I battled the infection in September last year. I’m not sure if this one is a more severe strain, but the battle remains the same. People dropped their guards and assumed that the pandemic was over. As a result, we are seeing this surge.” The 42-year-old, who’s currently in London, UK, with his wife, Nin Dusanjh, and eight-month-old daughter Nevaeh, says they are waiting to get vaccinated. He hopes the situation will get better once everyone is vaccinated, but is quick to acknowledge that it’s going to be an uphill task. “The population is so huge that vaccinating the entire country will take time. That’s how we can come out of the second wave,” he says.

Till that happens, Shivdasani, a Covid survivor, has a few tips up his sleeves which he swears by. “I didn’t have severe symptoms so I was just at home and taking antibiotics. It’s important to build your immunity and incorporate natural immunity boosters like turmeric and ginger in your diet,” he shares.

Lauding how people are coming together on social media to help each other, the actor says, “Social media is usually a place where panic spreads first. But now, people have realised there’s no point doing that. To all the good Samaritans, while they’re doing an amazing job, my only request to them is to please verify all the information.”

Vaccinating the entire population is the only way out of the second wave. AFTAB SHIVDASANI, Actor