Anelin conquers Covid-19

March, like all other months, has its own momentous memories and various anniversaries people celebrate. However, in South African history, as of last year, this month reminds and marches us into an unpleasant anniversary…the month the first case of Covid-19 was reported in the country.

It is with no doubt that the majority of the past 12 months has been filled with a lot of uncertainty, fear, panic, suffering and stress due to the pandemic. Keeping calm and focusing on positivity amid all lockdown restrictions, retrenchments, deaths, business closures and rising Covid-19 infections seemed like an impossible task.

But clinging onto the little mustard seed-sized positivity helped many have hope for a better tomorrow. Reminding oneself daily to never give up through it all was a lot of people’s reality, including Anelin Manchidi’s, who tested positive for Covid-19 in August.

The 28-year-old Norkem Park Extension Four resident conquered Covid-19. She takes us through her battle with Covid-19 that was filled with fear and anxiety.

“On August 1, I started getting flu-like symptoms, loss of taste, coughing; mind you, I am asthmatic. My doctor advised I test for Covid-19. As soon as I received my results, I forwarded them to my dad, who informed my mother and older sister,” said Anelin.

How did you feel when you found out you tested positive for Covid-19?

I was crushed. I couldn’t understand why and how because I was extra careful, at work, in the taxi and at work. My colleagues were also shocked because they knew I was always a careful person. Even before the pandemic, I always carried sanitiser in my bag and used it all the time. I cried as I was preparing to isolate in my room. I was also scared I might have passed it on to my daughter, but her results came back negative. I felt like it was the end of me, that I would die and leave my two-year-old daughter.

How did your family take the news?

They handled it relatively well, and everyone started to prepare to quarantine. My dad started preparing to take care of me, went out to buy all the essential things I needed, boiling lengana (artemisia afra) for me.

Take us through your isolation period? What were your thoughts? What was your routine?

I isolated for 14 days in my room. My daughter slept with my little sisters in another room. No one was allowed in my room unless they brought food, water and medication. We used the same bathroom, but it was deep-cleaned after I used it and I had my own plates and cups to use. I took vitamins and ate fruit, especially oranges. I drank half a cup of boiled lengana twice daily for 14 days.

They made sure my breakfast included eggs, avocado and rooibos tea. I snacked on oranges, bananas and pawpaw. Lunch was anything I wanted. Then for dinner, I would have pap, vegetables and meat. I would go outside to sit in the sun for 20 minutes every day. Walked around the yard, wearing a mask, to stretch my legs as I slept all day. My daughter would stand by the door to briefly greet me while wearing a mask.

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At times, I thought I was going to die because one moment I would feel fine, then the next I would get worse. I would shiver as if I didn’t have three blankets on. There were days I broke down because of stress and wondering if I would ever heal.”

What fears did you have and how did you overcome them?

The fear of dying, but I remembered I had a daughter who needed me, and I started being positive that I would heal. Members from the Imperfect Moms Foundation also helped me remain positive through chatting on WhatsApp daily. Thank you to the foundation for their care, as they also brought vegetables to my home.”

How did it feel to know you had conquered Covid-19?

“It felt great, I am blessed. I couldn’t wait to go back to work, watch television and mingle with my family.”

Do you have health problems now due to Covid-19? Any side effects?

No, I don’t have any health problems.

What is your view on the vaccine? Would you consider being vaccinated?

I think it is a great move that a vaccine was discovered to help with the spread of the virus. Yes, just like children who get vaccines to help their immune system to fight viruses, I would consider being vaccinated.

Despite testing positive, how has the pandemic impacted your life?

It has affected me financially, with food prices going up and having to buy sanitiser and masks to stay safe. It also delayed my academic year as I had to finish it in January/February. I am still struggling to get my registration finalised. We still have a long way to go to get through this pandemic.

What message and advice would you give to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 and to those who have loved ones who have tested positive?

“You can survive Covid-19. Eat healthily, drink enough water, vitamins to boost your immune system and have a positive attitude. Don’t give in to this virus, pray all the time. Sit in the sun for 20 minutes. Use your asthma pumps if you’re asthmatic. I survived it, so can you.

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