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| Tassy - Karachi, Pakistan |
Pakistan’s daily cases and deaths continued to grow this week. The number of cases in the country is currently 231,000, with 4,700 deaths. Although the authorities may argue that cases and deaths here are still lower than in many of the worst-hit countries such as the UK, (where over 1,000 coronavirus fatalities were reported in a single day at the peak of the infection) — the reality is that Pakistan is still over a month away from what is predicted to be the ‘peak phase.’ For a population of over 200 million people, the number of daily tests of around 28,000 is far short of the number that should be tested.
This week I made an attempt to go to the mall to buy my much-needed pair of trainers to work out in at home. It felt very strange entering a shop. Dolmen Mall is one of the newest and most modern shopping malls in Karachi. Yet it was the quietest I have ever seen. The Government has imposed an age restriction to enter malls, and anyone over the age of 55 is not allowed entry. I almost felt like an imposter not only from the guilt of entering a mall when I felt I should have just stayed put at home, but also buying something which for a lot of people is not an essential requirement.
Dolmen Mall, Karachi
The shoes on display were slashed by 50 percent as business was down. Even trying on the shoe felt strange as I had to wear a plastic bag over my sock, before slipping the shoe on. At the counter, I could not remember my credit card pin number – not having used my card for so long and had to return home empty handed! What would normally have been a pleasurable activity ended up being quite frustrating.
An elderly relative passed away this week due to old age and thankfully not COVID related complications. But given the circumstances we have not been able to condole with the family. One of my closest friends and her daughter were also diagnosed with COVID this week. They literally live across the street from me and I feel so helpless not being able to do anything for them.
On the positive side, my daughter’s mood picked up a little when the few international airlines that flies to Pakistan restarted some of their flights. The news was welcomed by all of us, but it came with a caveat. Every passenger has to get tested by designated laboratories, to make sure they are COVID-free, within 96 hours of boarding a plane. We are relieved as this means that at least she can now think about a date to return back to Toronto. She was getting very frustrated here in Karachi and wanted to resume some of her normal activities there.
Some international flights have restarted at Karachi Airport
My husband celebrated his birthday this week. It was a quiet celebration with just my parents and his mum. Since his birthday falls in July we have often been on holiday at an exotic location marking the occasion. This year will also be memorable for an altogether different reason. Being together as a family, with elderly parents is also a time that can be treasured.
Temperature has been soaring in the city and although it is only 36c/97f on the scale, the ‘feels like factor’ is more like 42c/108f! We are expected to get some respite to the heat this week with monsoon showers predicted. The rain is rare, and therefore welcomed, but it does bring chaos, as our streets are not equipped with proper drainage facilities. Last year I recall our car stalled because of the heavy rain, and we had to wait for months to get the spare parts.
The garden is thriving in the heat
Personally I love the rain too but the price we have to pay is quite high. Soon after the rains the number of cases of typhoid and cholera rise in the country. With hospitals inundated with COVID patients at the moment, we are a little concerned.
The doom and gloom may exist in life around the city, but every night when I go to bed I remain eternally grateful that I am safe and well, my family is well and we are very comfortable in our home. We speak to our son in the US every few days and he seems to be doing fine. Flowers are blooming in my garden and the wind chimes hanging outside my window give out a melodic sound in the light breeze outside.
I feel cocooned and sheltered, and every now and then when I miss my life that once existed, I bring myself back to the peace and calmness that currently prevail. It’s all a matter of perspective at the end of the day and I want to be in the category of believing in the glass that is half full rather than half empty.
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