Be mindful of symptoms
Being mindful of your physical health is going to be crucial. Considering that the incubation period (the time virus can take to activate) is up to 14 days, there may be many active carriers (people infected with the virus) in the public sphere unaware that they've been infected. So pay close attention to any symptoms - dry cough, fever, fatigue or loss of taste or smell - in your body. If you notice any signs, isolate and get tested. If you find out that someone, who you have met in the last few days, has tested positive, then again isolate and get tested if any symptoms appear.
Isolate and monitor
If you have come in contact with a Covid positive person or feel the symptoms, isolate yourself. Even if you start developing symptoms, do not worry, keep an eye on your symptoms. Not everyone infected by the virus needs hospitalisation. In fact, the rate of people who need to be checked into a medical care facility is around 5%.
If you live with parents who're above 60 or other elderly members in the family, the self-quarantine has to be strictly confined and limited to one room or part of the house not accessed by these high-risk groups (those who are more likely to catch the virus because of their age or health conditions). If symptoms worsen (very high fever and particularly difficulty in breathing) reach out for help.
Build empathy
The course of fighting stigma goes through feeling empathy toward suspected and confirmed cases. Remember, a patient suffering from COVID-19 infection is a victim here and not a perpetrator. While you can't hold someone's hand through this ordeal, if the infected person is a friend, family member or co-worker, letting them know that you're there for them goes a long way. Small acts of kindness like a phone call to check in on them, exchanging texts to keep them entertained or dropping off groceries or essentials just outside the line of quarantine can go a long way.
A little is actually a lot
A silver lining in this very dark cloud has been that the time we spent indoors, a majority of us have realised that we consume more than we need. Be it food, clothes, 'essential services' or leisurely activities, we have been biting off more than we can chew and putting a strain on our environment. The slowing down of life is sending out a clear message - less is more. Welcome it!
Reporting/testing
Given that active testing and timely isolation are the best way to counter COVID-19 spread right now, it is important to collectively fight any stigma or hesitation so that people don't hide travel histories, ignore the lockdowns or hide their symptoms in order to not lose a job or face restrictions. Support those who may face financial difficulties so that they also get proactively tested.
Other than that, for now, stay indoors, stay safe, help others, feed animals.
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