For Mumbai doctors at centre of fight against coronavirus, donning PPEs for long hours is an unprecedented ordeal

Editor’s note: This series will focus on the difficulties faced by the medical fraternity at COVID-19 hospitals, their duty hours, access to protective gear, facilities they get during quarantine, how are their families coping with this new reality across different states in the country. No one is used to staying away from home for such long periods.” He added, “A very small percentage of doctors — perhaps 5 percent — have been going home in the past few weeks. After all, medical professionals know the risks of transmitting the virus to those around them.” Ganvir said, “The situation is even worse for people whose families stay outside Mumbai. While they do speak to their families over the phone, they have not met their family members for a very long time now.” Among the doctors who do not go home, some doctors stay in the hospital’s quarters, while for some, hotel rooms have been booked. However, I can see that people are apprehensive about being around me if I wear a doctor’s apron.” Citing instances of people being fearful of being around doctors, he said, “Recently, when I went to a petrol pump near the GT Hospital to refuel my bike, an attendant asked me to stand away from the others, rather than join the line.