Kumudini David is a woman of many talents; she is a social influencer, voice trainer, choral director, a public relations and marketing specialist, and an artist with a very eclectic academic and professional background in strategic consultancy, consumer insights, business management, information technology, psychology, as well as multi-medium art and voice and choral technique. She recently tested positive for Covid-19, and while at quarantine, she helped so many women meet their requirements and made many friends along the way. We at Brunch spoke to her about her experience, which she is still currently going through.
David explained that once her result came out positive, she was given 24 hours to pick a quarantine centre, have her essentials packed, and be ready to leave whenever the public health inspectors (PHIs) showed up to escort her to her centre. She is still under quarantine at the Rambukkana Quarantine Centre, which used to be the Pinnawala Brandix facility.
On her first day, the army personnel and the administrative staff talked them through the history of this facility and their efforts to keep it going. The facility is run with the medical side handled by the Kegalle Hospital. It was explained to her that medical professionals and the administrative staff are careful to stay safe from infection, because if they are at risk, it would endanger the running of the whole facility as well as the 300 lives here plus others who will come.
“There’s a 15-man army unit here that hasn’t gone home for many months, as they’ve dedicated themselves to the upkeep and running of the facility. They manage the food arrangements, administration, sanitation, and various other needs that arise. We, the patients, will heal and go home. These guys will remain here, putting their lives at risk over and over again. It’s a staggering thought. Doctors and others who do get infected have to go through the same process we do,” she shared.
When we asked her how her experience has been thus far, she stated that it was indeed a culture shock. “We had to get used to these new living conditions, so things were a little tense on the first day, but immediately afterwards, things started getting better. It is a scary experience, but a good one.”
She added that once she realised that everyone here is anxious and fearful, you figure out how to communicate and it becomes a lot easier. To her, the whole experience was about calibrating one’s perceptions. Through her experience thus far, David added that she has learnt a lot and made many new friends she hopes to stay in touch with for the rest of her life.
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"A lot of these people come from poor backgrounds, so they all have prepaid connections with no option of online banking or reloading" Kumudini David[/caption]
A day in quarantine
David informed us that all the basic necessities like toilet facilities and showers were already provided. In terms of medical facilities, those at the centre are being monitored, and based on whatever symptoms one may show, they will be treated accordingly. “We had a 15-litre water boiler, so there’s always hot water on hand, and we have beds, pillows, and mattresses. We are given three meals a day – the food is healthy, plentiful, and tasty. We also get tea and biscuits thrice a day, so we are provided with everything we could possibly need.”
She informed us that the only things that were lacking, however, were toiletries like soap, toothpaste, and toilet rolls. “There are also individual problems. For example, today I had to find a potty for a little kid who was too scared to go near the big toilets. There is no way to fund with money unless you leave the compound; if you need something, you need to get it online. We can’t give physical money even to get stuff from out, as everything we’ve touched is contaminated.”
In her quarantine centre, they are not required to stick to a routine, although David noted that they do eventually fall into one, as it is easier for them. Describing a typical day, she commented that they wake up around 6.30 a.m. and use the washrooms. After lunch, there is allocated bathing time to shower and do laundry. As the day goes by, they have their meals. During dinner, they end up singing around the beds to lift the spirits and then hit the hay for the night.
Challenges
Talking about the biggest challenges they face at the centres, she pointed out the lack of sanitary napkins. “Since the army commanders in charge are men, the word ‘pads’ is almost like a taboo to these women, so they feel embarrassed to ask. So that was the biggest problem – women are afraid to speak up. I never had any qualms asking for the needful, so I made sure their needs were met; I think that was the biggest service I did,” David stated, adding that she didn’t personally face any challenges and chose to do what she could to help.
Another huge problem – that is in line with money not being able to leave the compound – was the inability for the patients to reload their phones. “A lot of these people come from poor backgrounds, so they all have prepaid connections with no option of online banking or reloading.” David informed us that phone companies like Dialog and Hutch were in touch with her because, after her posts, they realised what the problems were. These companies are currently thinking of ways to help out people in quarantine centres to stay in touch with their loved ones.
When asked how she ensured that the requirements of her companions were met, she explained that she put out a call on social media for help. “When I arrived in quarantine, I only had Rs. 2,000 in my account and another Rs. 2,000 in hand, so there wasn’t a lot I could do.”
She made attempts to collect money from inside and see if there was a possibility of getting it sanitised and handed over to the commanders in order to purchase supplies, but unfortunately, that was not possible. After she posted on social media, she collected almost Rs. 1 million and made many orders from Keells in Kegalle. “There were other items like hot water bottles, plastic items, phones, and rubber slippers that were sent by people in Colombo. We received three large deliveries from Colombo that we used to help the people here.” They accumulated so many supplies that have now been stored in the centre for the next batch of people. The biggest change that was implemented during her stay is the ability to store baby and women’s items.
David sends out a warm thank you to everyone who helped them at the centre by responding immediately to her call for help.