Omicron; ENT Expert Deepak Haldipur Confident: “We Shall Overcome Positively”

Dr Deepak Haldipur, a city-based ENT specialist is too optimistic about overcoming the current challenges posed by the Omicron variant. He admits to being basically a positive person and hence opines: “Even this (Third) time, eventually we are bound to emerge victoriously”.

Dr Deepak Haldipur apart from being a veteran in his field of specialization is also renowned as the only doctor in the state to perform the highest number of Black Fungus surgeries. A literally down to the ground person is known for conversing in chaste Kannada recalling quotes of well-known authors to draw home his point. At times, he lambasts the degradation of natural wealth in the name of modernization and just because some people can afford to spend lavishly. In no time he also evolves into a philosopher lamenting at the greed of people at the cost of the well-being of the society at large.

In fact, it’s no different even when you approach him as a patient. He’s plain, simple and straight to the point without coercing you with unnecessary tests and things of that sort. In a freewheeling chat, he pondered over the present predicament arising due to the sudden emergence of the Omicron variant mutant of the Covid-19 virus and the way out.

Need one and a half months to know: Dr Deepak Haldipur is of the firm opinion that: “It (Omicron) is in the early days. The new variant is said to be highly contagious. In the earlier two waves, one out of 20 people were susceptible of getting infected. Then, if one person in the family tested positive he/she were quarantined while others could easily move around. But now it needs to be known whether Omicron will start engulfing lives like a wildfire?

Seriousness yet to be ascertained: In the first wave, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were the major victims while in the second wave a large number of patients succumbed and many others got infected. But whether this variant will transform into a serious menace is yet to be ascertained, feels Dr Deepak Haldipur.

Everyone has his own fears now: He also adds, “Human mind is quite perplexed. Now everyone has his own fears. All these days’ people were wandering all-round as if nothing had gone wrong in the world. People in the governments’ are worried about their fate in the elections if people start dying? Now the situation is such that you inform a person sleeping leisurely to himself that a Tiger has barged into the neighbouring house and just don’t panic!

People start to wear masks now: All these days’ people were least bothered wearing a mask during early morning walks’. Now, these days, all of a sudden I am finding many people wearing masks. Probably, that is the change the development over Omicron variant mutant has been successful in making, remarks Dr Deepak Haldipur.

The economy will be worst affected: He also warns: “Police had to cane the violators in the first wave. But there was no such necessity in the subsequent wave. Thanks to two doses of vaccination and awareness, there may not be large scale deaths this time. However, there is no doubt about the economy being jeopardized in a big way this time…

…The tendency of our people is such that they are of the conclusion, only I am right and all others are fools! Everyone needs to make a living. The children are not vaccinated but the schools have reopened. If schools are closed, the staff needs to be paid and likewise the autos and vans which ply the kids. Hence it would be a difficult situation to handle affecting the economy at large, opines Dr Deepak Haldipur.

A surge in cases may compel lockdown: He feels: “The next one and a half months are crucial. It is more likely that the system will turn out chaotic if people and the administrators don’t pay heed to health-related protocols. The timeline from 15 December to 15-30 January is testing time on how we address the situation. If the casualties continue to increase, then there would be no wonder if restrictions like lockdown are reimposed”.

The virus gets mutated every 10 days: On doubts being raised in certain quarters about many people becoming infected with Covid-19 variants, he clarified: “One should clearly understand that it is a virus and not a bacteria. The virus variant keeps mutating once in 10 days. Earlier, most people who got infected with Chikungunya had difficulty with normal movements for a period of 2-3 years. Now there is no such experience…

…In the first wave, people had problems and complications related to breathing while it was Black Fungus in the second wave. But we do not know as to what is in the offing for the third wave. Virology is taking everyone by surprise. There is going to be an adverse impact on the economy for a couple of months. But people should adapt to changing scenarios and take refuge in modern platforms like Swiggy etc.”

Once in 100 years rain: “Global warming seems to be taking a toll. The way rains have been lashing in the past few months is being experienced only once in 100 years. All of a sudden, there has been a tremendous demand for electric cars to save the environment. At the same time now there are concerns being voiced about the battery being too expensive and a large amount of water being wasted on manufacturing them. It looks people are more enthusiastic in watching TV programs on annihilation while the channels are equally eager to wind up the world”, he pointed out jocularly.

A negative mindset has overtaken us: He fears, over a period of time negative mindset has overtaken us in a big way. The media outlets were vying with one another in proclaiming that 130 Covid-19 infection cases were reported from Dharwad. But they never felt it a duty to report subsequently that all such infections were not of any serious nature.

We will definitely win over: On a philosophic note, Dr Deepak Haldipur concluded: “These days everything, including religion, food and tourism has become tools for trading. The more degrees people add to their names they tend to become more negative. More educated people adhere to Rahu Kala norms…

Dr Deepak Haldipur

…People in the villages are not rigid in observing hygiene manners. They don’t think twice about taking a mouthful from someone else’s plate if they enjoy it. But in the urban areas, people keep washing their hands every now and then but the mind is full of dirt…Basically, I am a positive person and do believe in positivity. I am very much optimistic that the ensuing pandemic is not at all a big challenge and we are sure to overcome it”.

-Manohar Yadavatti