The Ballad of Aunt Cee

The Ballad of Aunt Cee

Aunt Cee was here!

Covid-19, as she is officially referred to by the WHO, while I try to showcase her as a female in this story just like weathermen do with hurricanes, has been with us since the latter part of 2019 and taking a huge toll on the health of people across the divide.

Many are the people who have been afflicted with the virus and now, three years on, more than 6.5 million people have succumbed to the lady. Out of a total of 635 million cases detected positive, the good news is that, 614 million have recovered and are back on track, restarting their lives today.

Initially, it was claimed to have been set off by the Chinese with links to eating infected meat. Later it became known that there may have also been man made laboratory reasons for the creation and spread of this lady. No one still knows the real truth, to date.

The disruption to normal human life, economies, trade, businesses, and human healthcare has been phenomenal, never seen in our generation before. Many are the lessons learned during this visitation, too.

Then came Dr Fauci, from the USA, with hopeful news of a vaccine that had been made ready for deployment, to prevent non infected people from embracing the lady. Initially, many people were a bit skeptical about taking the jab, as all kinds of stories of what may be inside it, the many possible outcomes that it would bring about, and some scary old wives tales, spread.

I had already taken my first two shots of the vaccine, followed by the third, booster, and was feeling quite comfortable that I am reasonably safe now. A fourth booster was then announced but I didn’t feel the need to take it as many fancy rumors of expired vaccines were floating around the country.

And then in July of 2022, she got me by the scruff of my rhino, lock, stock, and barrel.

At first I felt a little fever, followed by a nagging cough and runny nose. Then the body started to ache as if I had been digging wells all day, in drought stricken areas of the north central province. Then my sense of taste disappeared. She was definitely visiting.

The usual Panadol, steam inhalation, Kottamalli, Pas Panguwa, Vitamin C 50mg, daily throat gargles, and even a medically recommended cough syrup came into play. A month passed. Everything disappeared except the nagging cough and runny nose. Two months gone, three months gone. Still the cough and cold are struggling to leave. Aunt Cee is in love with me, I thought. Finally, the fact that I am here, now, speaks well for my health today. It was a rough ride I tell you. Aunt Cee has left now! – Fazli / Nov 5 2022