Quarantine? Self-Isolation? This Time It's Big
These days of the COVID-19 scare, we’ve seen the word quarantine and self-isolation used frequently. As we head into uncharted areas with respect to this Pandemic the likelihood of us being forced into a self-isolation becomes an unwanted likelihood.
Quarantine and Self Isolation
I have the honor of having been quarantined once, and self-isolated twice. While the latter was scary, the quarantine was an annoyance that came out of the blue. Extremely frustrating to start, and eventually a psychological and almost spiritual experience. Hopefully my experience will help you handle it better, however brief it was.
Expired Vaccinations
It was back in July of 1979. I had to travel to India from Zambia. Those days, travel between these places required your vaccinations for Smallpox, Cholera, and Yellow Fever be up to date. I had no problem getting two of the three. The authorities wanted to do one in a batch format so as not to open a vial for just one person. I was given a date to come in for the shot. However, it was close to my departure date. The rules stated that the vaccines had to “mature” at least six days prior to arrival at port of destination. I wasn’t worried as I would arrive in India exactly a day or two after I had had my last shots, and it was going to be all good. At least that’s what I thought.
And I’m Off
My itinerary was tight as I was to land in Bombay, fly on to New Delhi, where I was to be picked up by my contact. The schedule, therefore, was tight. I couldn’t afford any delays. Anyone who’s gone to India knows things never pan out as per plans when you get there. Don’t know what’s it like now, but in 1979, travel within India was difficult. It was very important for my contact to meet me in New Delhi or I would be all at sea. Everything went well, including my stopover in Nairobi. This was the first time I was making an intercontinental trip on my own. So, I was a little nervous about the whole thing. All was going pretty well, until I landed in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Arrival at Bombay
Once we touched down at Bombay, I was hit by heavy, humid, salty air. It has a tropical feel to it. If you aren’t prepared for it, then that’s the first of shocks you get when landing there. After that, needless to say, are the crowds. I had traveled through other big airports, but Santa Cruz airport in Bombay was quite old and felt more crowded than it actually was. This is what it looked like, although much has changed, so I hear, since then.
Source: Flicker.com/Yvon Maurice
It’s busy alright, but I think the administration was somewhat messy and haphazard. India is a fun place to visit. In fact, it’s a wonderful place to visit. But one needs to be psychologically prepared to tackle the disorganization and chaos. I’m not going to blame the authorities there, although it’s tempting. They were working under less-than-ideal conditions.
Method to the Madness
I marvel at the way India manages to get some sort of a structure out of the absolute chaos that exists there. That is, unto itself, a miracle and commendable. But it’s a shock to the system all the same. It’s unfortunate that most newcomers to India have to land in Bombay with its confusion and disorganization.
A big put-off, and I’m sure many of them would be frustrated enough to regret visiting India. My advice would be: be patient as things get better provided you leave your expectations of “first world efficiency” behind, and “go with the flow.” I must point out here, again, that I’m talking 1979 and that era. Apparently, they’ve a newer, bigger airport, and I hear efficiency has improved considerably.
Roadblock and “Quarantine”
I got through the initial stuff. Then came my vaccinations. There was this short unsmiling man with glasses who leafed through my records. He muttered, “your vaccinations are not up to date,” and, “you need to be quarantined.” I was sure there was a mistake and asked him to clarify for me.
I argued I’ve had my shots over six days ago, so I’m good to go as the vaccinations have “matured” and I need to catch my connecting flight to New Delhi. Then he, like a professor who’s scanned your test paper very carefully, and triumphantly found errors, started explaining why I need to be quarantined for three days. He claimed that since there was a gap, greater than six days, between the expiry and my booster vaccination, the maturation period for this shot I had taken is not six, but ten days.
No Way Out
So, I need to be quarantined for three days. I argued I had very important appointments ahead and this was going to throw my itinerary off completely. I was going to lose a lot as this trip had been planned very carefully. He was adamant and read off the rules, like a lawyer does the details of a contract.
I realized I could do nothing about it, so I followed his instructions and resigned myself to be quarantined. I was tired, confused, hot, frustrated, scared, and completely disappointed. But there was nothing else to do except gather my baggage and be herded to a different section of the airport.
My Nightmare Starts
I felt like a common criminal as I was taken out to the airport parking bay where passengers to be quarantined are picked up and taken to the quarantine center. I was filled with dread and fear of the unknown as a rickety van drove over and I was bundled on board. It looked like this:
Source: cartoq.com
This area was a very beat and “un-glamorous” part of the already tired-looking airport. Kind of like where cargo would likely be handled. The van ride was uncomfortable, bumpy, and creaky as it drove down an insignificant looking road – not that I cared at this point.
It “sped” along a narrow road surrounded by greenery and what appeared to be villages/slums of sorts. After about a 20-minute drive it turned into a long driveway leading to a very colonial looking building.
Source: Tripadvisor.com
“Hotel California”
It had likely been built by the British “pucca sahibs” during their rule over India. There was a grandiose British style to it. It was surrounded by trees, and set way back from the main road. The British likely set it up to provide shade from the hostile elements and peace from the hubbub of that area.
I may have missed the sign that identified it, and advised all to stay away. Meanwhile, the van came to a stop at the entrance and I got out with my luggage. The personnel were polite and disciplined as I went through the door and found myself in a holding area. They sprayed me over and led me through another door into the building. The door was locked so no one could walk in or leave. “Hotel California” anyone?
Source: Wikimedia.org
The Facility
It was relatively early in the morning – around 11 AM. I was welcomed by a wonderful lady in a sari whose name I’ve since forgotten. This was the first smiling person who sympathized with my predicament. She was around 40, and most likely from the Indian State of Kerala – the most educated state in India.
My information was entered into a thick register they loved to use in India then. She was my point person while I stayed there. I complained vehemently of my situation. The lady informed me that many famous Indians, including celebs and politicians, purposely quarantine themselves to “get away from it all” for a few days. Which was exactly what it felt like right then. Assigned a room, I freshened up for breakfast. Unfortunately, I lacked contact info for the person supposed to meet me at New Delhi. Which was frustrating.
“Ken”, “Dave”, and “James”
I shared my room with a guy who we shall call “Ken.” Ken was a short, tough looking Indian guy in his thirties, with a dark complexion and curly hair. He had a tall, slim, balding buddy who I shall call “Dave.” They were merchant seamen on shore leave to visit their families in South India. There was also “James,” from Kenya, who was part of a government delegation from his country, but was quarantined for the same reason as me.
Cool and friendly, interacting with them mellowed me down. That was it. There were around 10 rooms with a capacity to accommodate about 20+ people. They lined one end of the building and opened up to a naturally lit common area with a huge netted window. It resembled the image below, but darker since it was enclosed:
Source: Gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com
The Facilities
This open space had a Ping Pong table with paddles and balls, a Carrom Board – which is popular in India. There were magazines, newspapers, coffee tables, sofas, and chairs to relax on. We also had a dining room; a common room complete with a Radio, and an old Console TV (with lockable doors). Ken and Dave seemed very comfortable as they relished watching the Indian movies aired on TV during my stay.
So, it was actually quite comfortable and designed to make your average British Colonial at ease and at home while insulated from the chaos just a driveway away from the main road. The office had a Telephone, Telegram and Mail service for the residents. This was 1979, so no PC or Internet. The image below represents what the official TV/Dining/Phone area resembled. Again, darker, dreary and without the decorations:
Carrom Board: ebay.com
TV console: cgtrader.com
Source: decortoadore.net
Friendships
I became good friends with the guys and we enjoyed getting to know each other. We played tons of Ping Pong, and Carrom. Their last port had been Durban, South Africa, and their travels fascinating. They had a bunch of cassette tapes with Disco songs and a boom box which we turned up.
The guys seemed very much “at home” there which I couldn’t understand. Probably they weren’t in any hurry, or tired and took it as part of their shore leave. This attitude of theirs was strangely infectious. They entertained me with anecdotes of their travels and work life. James’s stay was over in two days. When he bid us goodbye, we felt remorse akin to a relative leaving us. It was then I realized how close we guys had gotten.
The Partings & My Exit
When Ken and Dave left, I suddenly found myself very alone as reality hit me. Without them, my stay would have been very difficult. On my departure, I was strangely uneasy at going out into the world again. It was strange how this experience had messed with me. I wanted to leave and was apprehensive of leaving at the same time.
It was a sunny, humid, hot July day when I stepped out of the facility back into that van. I bid the lady goodbye. Another bumpy ride through those strange roads found me at the airport and on my own again. It was awesome, and overwhelming at the same time. Did these people know what I had gone through? I had missed three days of the world during my “absence.” The feeling was surreal as I “adjusted” back to Freedom.
Return to Normal Life
While it had only been three days, it still felt overwhelming, liberating, and strangely giddy. Is this what a prisoner feels after years of incarceration or a hostage after being liberated from captors?
Everything was surprisingly uneventful. After my quarantine experience, I strangely felt I deserved more problems. Needless to say, a part of my itinerary was scrapped, much to my disappointment. It was an experience I will never forget and hope never to experience again. Psychologically, it made me a much more patient person. I developed newfound appreciation of the freedom we have. And the friends, I made over those three days will remain special for the rest of my life.
Self-Isolation Experiences
The next two instances where I had to isolate myself are likely familiar to many. My Chickenpox was difficult as I was away from home. I felt a cold coming on of sorts. It seemed to get worse and I felt really bad. Then I got what appeared to be a couple of pimples on my face. Before the day was out, I had one or two more. Something didn’t feel right. The day after that, on seeing myself in the mirror, I was shocked to see more “pimples.” I went to the clinic where the Doctor looks at me, takes my temperature. He leant forward and asked me, in a hushed tone, if I had any warts on my private parts. Surprised, I said no, because I didn’t. He examined my throat with a flashlight and a wart in my upper throat confirmed I had Chickenpox.
Coping with Self Isolation
I self-isolated myself and all the things you do when infected with Chickenpox. For the next 15-20 days, I was cut off from the world. I read Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” and any work I could do. But most of the time was spent sleeping. Interestingly, I had the new Dire Straits album “Love Over Gold,” which I played during those days. But the song “Industrial Disease” with its peculiar synthesizer music was dreadful as I imagined new blisters popping up on my body with each “glop” sound:
YouTube / Dire Straits
A repeat of that bizarre feeling followed when I recovered after about 21 days and went out to make up for time lost. An experience I would prefer never to deal with again. But, decades later, my sons got it forcing me to stay home to look after them and avoid transmitting in the office.
Here We Go Again?
Now, here we are in 2020 facing another Quarantine and Self-Isolation situation. But I it’s all worth it for the greater good and everyone’s safety. Inconvenient, but you want to do your bit to control the rapid infection rate of this weird and aggressively spreading virus. Take it from me, it’s not that difficult to isolate yourself. Compared to my experience, there’s so many more things you can do from home with technology assisting you both with work and entertainment. Good luck, and hang in there, because as you can see there is the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”
