COVID-19 and India’s Northeast

Description

This book explores the experiences of managing the COVID-19 pandemic in North East India across different areas of life and work. It offers insights into the challenges and adaptability of communities and stakeholders by including the experiences of psychologists, students, administrators, the police and children among others. The book provides an account of the turmoil―psychological, social and economic – which people endured through stories of migration, loss of livelihood, discrimination and abuse while also highlighting the outpouring of collaboration and support which was found in communities across the North East. This volume will be of interest to scholars and researchers of psychology, sociology, public health and administration, development studies, law and governance and South Asia studies. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Illustrations Preface Foreword Notes on the Contributors Chapter 1: Ground Zero: Introduction Introduction 2019: Novel Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 in India Battleground COVID-19 India’s North East Immunisation References Chapter 2: Psychosocial Fallout of the Pandemic Introduction Impact of the Pandemic on General and Psychological Well-being India’s North East Racial Discrimination of North East Indians Interventions Conclusion References Chapter 3: An Administrator’s Battleground Introduction In a Seesaw with a Virus: An Experience as a Frontline Worker Building the Bastions The War of Attrition Breaks Memories from the Quarantine Centre Metamorphosis to a Frontline Worker The Shift in Tides In Retrospect References Chapter 4: Policing the Pandemic Introduction The Canvas of Challenges Solutions for Efficient Enforcement of Lockdown Mass-Level Awareness System of Passes Several Check Gates e-NAKA Pharma Sentinel Project Solution for Efficient Policing of People under Home Quarantine/Isolation COVID Sentinel Project COVID Sentinel Project Workflow Power of Voluntarism: Active Monitoring Aid of Technology: Passive Monitoring Physical Visits for Human Touch: Active Care Main Findings of COVID Sentinel Research Research Outputs of the COVID Sentinel Project Role of Community and Lessons Learnt for Community Projects Community Beckoning and Enrolment Mouth-to-Mouth Call-Out Concluding Remarks from the COVID Sentinel Project Scope for Future Applications of COVID Sentinel Project Solution for Safeguarding Frontline Cops COVID Cop Care Initiative References Chapter 5: Resistive Role of Digitization Introduction COVID-19 Pandemic in Assam Conclusion References Chapter 6: Nagaland’s Return Migration Introduction Return Migration: Bringing the Virus Home Reverse Migration in Nagaland Coping with the Reverse Migration Risk Issues and Challenges in the Age of COVID-19 Inadequate Health Personnel Discrimination and Ostracism Faced by the Returnees Stigma Faced by Recovered Patients Steps Taken by the State Government Precautionary Steps Informative Steps Medical Steps Governmental Aid The Role of the Church Role of the Community Role of the Youth Narratives from Migrants Learnings from COVID-19 Conclusion: The Way Forward References Chapter 7: A Frontliner’s Anecdata Introduction Assam and its Capital City Guwahati Snippets from My Experience Social Exclusion and Denial Irrational Fear Extending a Helping Hand Physical and Psychological Aspects Non-Medical Emergencies One Who Works with Danger, Cannot Help Being Put into Danger Themselves References Chapter 8: Mizo Altruism Introduction YMA – An Asset to the Mizo Society Situation Analysis Social Action Working in Tandem with the Government Border Duty Collection and Distribution of Essential Commodities Enforcement of SOP by LLTF/VLTF Helping Stranded Mizos across the Country Community Quarantine Centres, Home Quarantine Community COVID-19 Care Centres Observance of Religious Functions with Social Distancing Donations Volunteers Bibliography Chapter 9: Community Collaboration in Shillong Introduction Shillong, Meghalaya COVID – 19 in Meghalaya: First Wave COVID – 19 in Meghalaya: Second Wave Community Life in the Pandemic The Challenges of Social Relationships The Outcome of Change A Social Action Model Conclusion References Chapter 10: Tripura Chronicles Tripura Chronicles Narrative of a Nurse An Account from a Mizoram Bru Displaced Camp Story of a Social Activist Positive Highlights of the Pandemic Bibliography Chapter 11: Turmoil of Victims and Survivors: Manipur Introduction Social Life of the Manipuri COVID-19: Dilemma of Nearing and Distancing Victims and Survivors General Reaction and Response to the Victims and Survivors Psychological Trauma Guilt and other Emotional Reactions Rituals and Rites Conclusion References Chapter 12: Pandemic Pregnancy Pandemic Pregnancy COVID-19 and Pregnancy Childbirth During the COVID-19 Pandemic Adapting to the New Normal Maintaining Positivity During the Pandemic Conclusion References Chapter 13: The Unheard Child: The Darkest Side of COVID-19 Introduction Child Sexual Abuse During Coronavirus Pandemic CSA and Mental Health Child Sexual Abuse in The Presence of Stringent Laws Reporting Cases of CSA CSA in the State of Assam during the COVID-19 Pandemic Objectives Methodology Causes of CSA in the District of Darrang Intervention/Rescue Drive Intervention for Best Interest of the Child (Section 2 sub section 9 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015) Restoration, Re-integration Redressal Measures/Coping Strategies for CSA Safe Home Government and Non-Governmental Organizations Roles Psychosocial Intervention Psychological Intervention CSA and Interventions during COVID-19 Conclusion References Chapter 14: Pandemic and Employment: Arunachal Pradesh Introduction Unemployment and Mental Health Arunachal Pradesh The Arunachali Youth Method Sample Design Tools Used Demographic Profile Format Procedure Results and Discussion Level of Depression Satisfaction with Life Implications Conclusion References Chapter 15: Spirituality in Garo Women Introduction North East India The Garo Tribe Spirituality Situation Analysis Spirituality, Happiness, Well-Being Techniques to Improve Spirituality Loving-Kindness Meditation Keep Desiring Spiritual than Material Count the Blessings/Gratitude Reading Spiritual Books Spending Time in Prayer Spiritual Conversation Spirituality, Happiness, and Well-Being among Garo Women Statement of the Problem Method Research Design Sample Sampling Technique Tools Procedure Statistical Analysis Results Discussion Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 16: Crisis Encounters and Its Management Introduction The Psychological Impact of Restrictions Psychological Services in the Public Set-Up Psychological Services in the Tertiary Care Hospital Set-Up Crisis Intervention Assess the Situation Education Offering Support Developing Coping Skills Personal Crisis Encounters My Subjective Encounters with COVID-19 Common Reactions to Crisis Situation Physiological Cognitive Emotional Behavioral Coping with Crisis Reaction Be Observant of Your Reactions Practise Grounding or Relaxation Exercise Keep a Structured Routine Seek Support Conclusion References Chapter 17: Tele-counselling: A Frontline Resource Tele-counselling: A Frontline Resource Impact on Mental Health Mental Health Scenario Pre- and Post-Outbreak of the Pandemic Second Wave of COVID-19 and the Increasing Toll on Mental Health An Emerging Frontline Resource in the Indian Context Tele-Counselling and the Changing Face of Mental Healthcare References Chapter 18: Conclusion: End Game? Bibliography Index