Pandemic returns in a much more deadly way!

Disclaimer: All my runs am doing alone thesedays and I get up way too early around 4.30  and finish the daily runs max by before 6 am so I avoid contact with people and I run inside the Eco world campus just out of APR which means the loop which I run is a lane with all the ORR companies which are mostly shut. This is the same precaution we took last year also as a running group that we will not do group runs, we started running on our own alone way too early in the morning before the curfew (5 am) also the lane is not monitored by any cops except for each company security who are always wearing masks :).

Covid has hit Bangalore really hard. So far I had not heard any close family or friends die(Thank God for that) but I got to know that my driver who always used to pick me and drop me to all my airport pick up and drop, he passed away due to covid. He was the most efficient person I ever had to pick me and drop me. I dont even want to call him a driver because for me he was always John. All my one day outstation travels I have only travelled with John. He was more like a close aid. It was very shocking and disheartening to know that he passed away due to covid. I am too upset to about it. My international travel since my current job was extremely high and too hectic(usually thrice or 4 times to the US, many domestic travel to hyd), I just never used to rely on anyone else except John. He was very well educated, spoke fluent English and his two daughters are engineers and I could just have all sorts of conversation with him. I dont know I am in total shock and sad to hear this news. I had always hoped and wished that everyone whom I know should be safe but I am really starting to get worried with this second wave. 

I just pray to God that this phase ends for ever. It is affecting everyone's sanity, people are loosing near and dear ones. Its a major chaos and there seems to be no end to it.

I have been hearing lot of scary stories. One thing I heard and which really made me furious is the lack of oxygen cylinders and one of the reason being that people are buying and storing that so that they can sell for higher price like a black market. I also heard that people are trying to stock up Remdesivir antiviral thinking they might need it by creating the huge supply and demand issue. We Indians are pathetic, we want to encash on anything and everything without being how sensitive and dangerous this issue is. Honestly I dont know the autenticity of this black market issue of stocking up oxygen cylinders and antiviral drug like Remdesivir but I hope its not true but in our dear country, anything and everything is possible.

Why are we like this?  God knows. Why do we have this shitty mentality. I really hope people aren't doing this especially in this pandemic situation. I really hope people really think and act appropriately in this crucial times.

Anyways, I read one of the nicest post by one of the India's fastest Boston and NY marathoner in the amateur category Anubhav Karmakar, he is from our own running circle at Namma Bengaluru and at India level running community. Met him many a times and post run parties and during training at cubbon:

As written by Anubhav Karmakar, it is so apt at this point in time:

The third Monday of April is recognized as Patriot's day in Boston. For runners world over, it is celebrated as @bostonmarathon Day - the oldest and most prestigious Marathon of the world. While the word 'BQ' (Boston Qualified) for many is a title of honor, it has never truly fascinated me. In fact I wouldn't have lined up for this race if @gauri.jayaram hadn't informed me that I had qualified for the 2019 edition and insisted that I line up for it. I realize today that had I not heeded to this advice over a dinner after Berlin Marathon 2018 it would have ended up being 3 year wait for one of the best running experiences of my lifetime. But ever since I ran through hallowed finish arch of this legendary race, it has meant a lot more than mere bragging rights. I still wonder about how I woke up the next morning and broke into tears for reasons I haven't been able to fathom yet. Since the 2013 bombing, a new slogan 'Boston Strong' had emerged. That emotion has become more relevant as we fight the hardship of this brutal pandemic. When the 2021 edition was opened up for everyone as a virtual event, there were people who argued about the diminished prestige of the race - a very self-centered opinion in these circumstances. While all of us are affected in some way, the pandemic has hit certain sections of our community too hard. A lot of organizations are facing hardships, including some of my favorite running focused non-profits. Its been a heart breaking year and the least we can do is support them as we conquer this 'Heart Break Hill'. We are not there yet but the finish line is in sight. This is not the time to gloat, to be petty. Its the time to stand together and stay strong, Boston Strong!