Item
Sai Rebbapragada Oral History, 2021/05/06
Media
Title (Dublin Core)
Sai Rebbapragada Oral History, 2021/05/06
Description (Dublin Core)
Sai Rebbapragada is a first-generation college student who is currently living in Minnesota. He has many close family members currently living in India and is able to provide not just a view of the COVID pandemic from the Midwest but also a view from India. Furthermore, Sai currently works in a day care and provides useful information about the changes of daily life, as well as the struggles for many overcrowded Indians. He talks about his family’s reaction to the COVID pandemic and how lockdown is being viewed in India. Finally, Sai does also address his experience with COVID on a personal level as well as his views of the political reaction.
Recording Date (Dublin Core)
Creator (Dublin Core)
Type (Dublin Core)
video
Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)
Collecting Institution (Bibliographic Ontology)
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Curatorial Notes (Dublin Core)
Date Submitted (Dublin Core)
01/18/2022
Date Modified (Dublin Core)
01/20/2022
04/26/2022
05/21/2022
Date Created (Dublin Core)
05/06/2021
Interviewer (Bibliographic Ontology)
Jack Wanner
Interviewee (Bibliographic Ontology)
Sai Rebbapragada
Location (Omeka Classic)
Minnesota
United States
Format (Dublin Core)
Video
Language (Dublin Core)
english
Duration (Omeka Classic)
00:41:35
abstract (Bibliographic Ontology)
Sai Rebbapragada is a first-generation college student who is currently living in Minnesota. He has many close family members currently living in India and is able to provide not just a view of the COVID pandemic from the Midwest but also a view from India. Furthermore, Sai currently works in a day care and provides useful information about the changes of daily life, as well as the struggles for many overcrowded Indians. He talks about his family’s reaction to the COVID pandemic and how lockdown is being viewed in India. Finally, Sai does also address his experience with COVID on a personal level as well as his views of the political reaction.
Transcription (Omeka Classic)
Jack Wanner 0:03
Perfect. Okay, now we're all set. So, we're just going to real quickly say, so it is currently May 6, the time is 2:05pm. My name is Jack Wanner. I am obviously going to Eau Claire- Going to University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Currently, at this time, there are 32,313,016 deaths in the United States due to current cases in the United States due to COVID. In Wisconsin, the cases are 607,270. The deaths in the US are 575,400 91,000. The deaths in the US are 686,890 1000 and the vaccines administered are at 250 million. If you would be willing to give a little bit of your name kind of your background information. And just kind of some stuff that you do on your day-to-day basis.
Sai Rebbapragada 1:05
Yeah, so thanks for this opportunity again. My name is Sai. I'm a first-year student at UW Eau Claire studying business with a management minor, thinking of manage management minor. And day to day, I still have a part time job here working with the kids in the daycare center, at my gym, and then I played tennis every day. So.
Jack Wanner 1:34
Awesome. Okay, cool. So, I kind of just want to ask you kind of what your first thoughts are, when you heard about COVID-19 and kind of How have your thoughts changed since then, as well, and how they evolved? Yeah,
Sai Rebbapragada 1:48
So, you know, back last March, March I think I really, that's when, for me, it really hit. At first, I didn't, but it's like, it's probably just like a flu or something, it's gonna, you know, they say we're gonna have a two-week lockdown. But, you know, it's just gonna be two weeks, and then we're back to normal. I honestly did not think it would take a year. Now, so it was like I at first, I didn't really care too much. Since I was busy with my stuff, I didn't really everything went online, and but it didn't really change for what I was doing. So that and then I'm, like, right now and now I'm like, wow, it's even though it hasn't impacted me much. It's really impacted other people. And I’m like the type of person I like to help people a lot. So I see around in my local area, actually, I've seen a lot of people homeless on the street, or struggling to pay rent, to stuff like that and then going with now since I'm a sports player, like, I like playing tennis, on the season, Now that everything's kind of like slowly opening back up, the seasons coming back, we have it's a lot of even those seasons, there's a lot of restrictions, like always keeping your mask on which playing tennis, it's a cardio heavy sport, so it's hard wearing a mask all the time. That's, that's kind of, you know, really where I'm at, where I'm getting affected. I'm blessed to not be, you know, financially struggling, you know, still being able to attend colleges, even though it's virtual. It's, you know, it is hard not being able to see people, but I still get to talk via video chatting.
Jack Wanner 3:51
Yeah, and that is one great way that technology has helped. I am interested I know I do have some friends as well who are on the athletic side of the athletic side of Eau Claire and dealing with cardio sports and having to wear masks has got to be really hard. You did mention a little bit that you're you work with kids and your job How is it is it difficult to keep them I mean, obviously you have to be saved, they have to be safe is that
Sai Rebbapragada 4:18
So, it is hard since we, we have kids anywhere from infants like, like zero to 11 years old. As of now, what we've done is we've had like we said, like play pads in different like stations. So, and we have everyone's age six and older are required to wear a mask inside. But you know, there are those times where kids don't listen to you and want to, you know, just do whatever they want. Kids will be right here right. So, we have like We'll have like different staff members monitoring each area, make sure everyone can follow the social media, social distancing protocol.
JW 5:10
Awesome. Okay, cool. Just out of curiosity. So, has obviously, you just mentioned that COVID affected your job and kind of how it had to change some of its protocols and play stations, and stuff like that. You did mention that you're not struggling financially. So, I would assume that COVID hasn't really affected your employment status in any way. Just to be clear on that.
SR 5:33
Oh, me personally, as a part time worker, only things really, you know, I'm, it's affected, like my hours, but has it affected my hours and what, but I'm living at home with my parents. So, when I say I'm not financially struggling, it's like we as a family, you know, and I'm very blessed that I have parents who can financially support me and the family to, and we, you know, since everything's now like, tech, everything's online, we were able to just fine, be fine. Just fine. Transferring. Online. Still working.
JW 6:14
Awesome. Awesome. I actually, that does lead me to kind of to my next set of questions, I kind of want to ask about how COVID affected your family. And, you know, how are you managing day to day activities in your household? I mean, obviously, you can't go out and seeing relatives, it's got to be difficult.
SR 6:27
So yeah, so we've, but this whole COVID and we like go once a week to like the grocery store. And before he should go two, three times a week just to snacks, whatnot. Now it's more it's just it's, it's a neat thing. Do you really need it? Okay, you can go out. And so, what does with the relative actually, we're supposed to go on a trip, we were supposed to go to India last summer. You know, and that's when all this type COVID pandemic lockdown started. Yeah. And that was really hard for me personally, not to be able to go. Because I had so many grandparents and family, my, my family is huge. So, me being like a family person, I wanted to go and see my extended family meet them. So, it was hard. And then my grandfather was like, elderly, like very ease in his like, 80s to 90 area. So just a thought of him being at that age and with a pandemic going on really hit me knowing like, you know, it might affect he might or not, might not get COVID he's in the higher bracket area. So, there's that, but I'm, I'm still able to talk to them virtually through Skype zoom.
JW 8:02
That's awesome to hear. So yeah, you mentioned to me earlier that your, your whole family, all of your relatives are over in India, and obviously you worried about your grandfather? Have any of any of your family members gotten COVID? And if so, is there been any risk to it?
SR 8:17
As of right now, what I've know is, no one really got affected by the pandemic. No one got COVID awesome. There are we have friends who have had their families affected, and people in the neighborhood where my grandparents were COVID. But none of my family members have.
JW 8:42
That's really good to hear. That's awesome to hear. Okay, awesome. So, I mean, yeah, yeah, it's nice that you have zoom. Obviously, that helps keep you connected and keeping you, I guess, keeping you guys all in touch. Unfortunately. Yeah, it does suck that the pandemic limited. Your, your access to being able to go see them. And that must be really hard for you currently not being able to go see them.
SR 9:05
Yeah.
JW 9:06
Yeah, I can definitely see how that goes. So just in terms of like, recreation with your family, are you guys able to go out and do anything? Or how do you guys handle like, you know, playing games doing physical activity, stuff like that?
SR 9:21
We’ll, we’ll go once in a while to like a park or something or take a walk down the street.
JW 9:26
Okay.
SR 9:26
So now that it's getting warmer out, though, we started going biking a lot.
JW 9:32
Awesome. Okay, cool. So, you're still not you're not super limited by by all the things you're still able to do some outdoor activities and
SR 9:37
Yeah we're still able to go outdoors and just, just have fun. Walk around.
JW 9:44
Awesome. Just really quickly, then. Are any of your family members? Are
you vaccinated? Anything like that?
SR 9:49
Yes, actually, as of yesterday, I am fully vaccinated, my mom-
JW
Oh, me too.
SR
[Laughs] Nice. My mom’s fully vaccinated and I my dad's also fully vaccinated, he got his second shot a week ago.
JW 10:05
Awesome. That's really great to hear. So, I guess we're gonna kind of move on to questions just kind of about the community and how you're interacting with that, and how COVID has works in that aspect. So in terms of like, I other, so I wouldn't say recreational activities, but in terms of like your community, you know, people outside of just your small zone, how have you dealt with that, I mean, in terms of like school, or clubs, or even, even your job, I mean, you mentioned briefly about your job and that it had to do other things, but his, you know, school been different or difficult with, with this new pandemic going on.
SR 10:42
I will say truly, it was hard to adjust going online with school, especially with the minnows trying to, it's not like, you know, when you're in person school, you have your teacher right there to ask questions or guide for assignments, something like that. But when we've all moved online, it was hard for me to make that one-on-one connection. And even now, it's, you know, it's, it's hard, trying to, like, self-study everything that I've seen, you know, everything Now that everything's online, become more self-study.
JW 11:17
Yeah, I can definitely relate to that. I have had a couple of papers that I'm like, Alright, I'll just do all the background information on I guess it's fine. Yeah, no, that's, that's one of the more relatable parts of the pandemic, I think, for both of us being students. So, just out of curiosity, have you struggled with the idea of like self-isolation, and, you know, flattening the curve and not being able to go outside and do a ton of things or?
SR 11:45
Yeah, cuz I'm, I'm very, what’s the term FOMO fear of missing out.
JW 11:51
Yeah.
SR 11:52
I have that going on with me. So, if I do see people going out, I'm like, darn, I wish I can go and do stuff. But all I know is, the more, the more safe I am and the more safe the community is, we can start going out and having fun with other interact with other people. Yeah, I've, I've been kept up with, like the biking and then I played tennis, so I still get to go out and enjoy stuff.
JW 12:26
Awesome. That's really good to hear. If you'll give me one second, I just wanted to blow my nose. I feel like it's been kind of irritating the whole time. Just give me one brief minute here.
SR 12:35
Yeah, nice.
JW 12:48
Awesome, so sorry about that. Okay, so moving on a little bit more. You mentioned that so none of your family members have gotten sick. But Has anyone else you know, by any chance have gotten sick? Maybe friends or athletes or?
SR 13:02
Yeah, actually, one of my friends got COVID about three months ago, is seriously actually say that seriously affected by. He was hospitalized for about three, four days.
JW 13:17
Wow. That's-
SR 13:19
So, he got COVID and he's doing fine. Now. He's moving around, and He's, he actually did track.
JW 13:28
Okay,
SR 13:28
So, he's back on running. So, he's, he's doing good. And then we have family friends who are who and who traveled to other countries to see their family where they are. Because due to some, you know, Family Health stuff with the COVID getting COVID. So, they've traveled to India actually to go take care of them.
JW 13:54
Wow. Okay, and they got sick in India, or they got sick outside of it, or they're there
SR 13:59
They got sick India- In India.
JW 14:01
Okay. That's unfortunate. I know, I know, that kind of areas. Definitely. very heavily populated. So COVID is really it's really hard to keep everyone separated. So, I guess I kind of want to go back a little bit and talk about your friend who was hospitalized. You said he's doing better now obviously. And then it was a scary time for him. Because he talked about kind of, does he noticed that there any, like long lasting effects or anything that he's really picked up on? Or- I-did that- or I mean, has his mood changed about him socializing and being more careful
SR 14:32
He is, he is. And I want to put this out there before this happened to him. He was very, very social, came out a lot. He didn't actually care about this pandemic. He's used one of those. Like, it's against just another flu. I'm not I'm never going to get it in his head. He's like, I'm never gonna get it wants to chance. And then once this happened to him, where he actually did get COVID and was in hospital. He's become more of if he asked to go out, he'll go out. But if he doesn't, he's just gonna stay at home. It's, he's, he's more of that. The social person and the whole I don't care went away completely. Yeah, he goes out he's not just wearing a mask, but he's, he's wearing gloves. He's very particular on the subject now.
JW 15:36
Yeah, no, I, I know personally. So, I've been pretty careful about it. I've got a couple of friends that have autoimmune disorders, and I'm not able to go out and hang out with them unless I've taken some serious time. And I got, I got COVID from a friend of mine, we were all hanging out in a group, but it was outdoors. We were all very well, very spread apart. And one of them knew they had symptoms didn't get it tested, and then they got us all sick. And it's, it's frustrating, because even, even when you're I mean, he, he wasn't, you know, obviously he used that he was very social. I didn't believe it could happen. But even when you are saved, it's a hard time sometimes for you to be able to, to avoid it.
SR 16:14
It is no he actually, the first time he did get it. We all were like, dude, go get tested, you might actually have COVID. But he thought it was just a regular. He was just, it was probably a seasonal change. That's what he said. And we think a week and a half later. That's when he started like, wow, it's, it's I can't taste anything. And breathing slowed down. He actually got he got this like he started sweating a lot.
JW 16:47
Interesting.
SR 16:48
Yeah. So, he was he was like, in very bad shape. So that's when he decided, Okay, let's go get tested. Turns out he was he was positive for COVID. And then two days later, he was in the hospital.
JW 17:03
Wow. That's, I mean, I'm glad he's saved now, but that is
SR 17:07
No yeah, he’s perfectly fine now he's running biking. He's, he's like a new man now, but now he's more cautious.
JW 17:15
Good. Well, you know, that's sometimes that's the lesson that takes but yeah, so you did mention earlier that you use a year you're, you're fully vaccinated. Have you had any side effects or anything that hits you? Or has it hit you kind of relatively hard?
SR 17:29
For the, when I took the first dose, I was approached perfectly fine. I didn't feel any side effects. I actually went to work then, a couple hours later, and felt totally fine. But when I took the second dose, that's where I was tired. I had a headache. No, arm was a little sore. That's when I took it. The first time I my arm was never sore. I was able to go to work, work out, you know, but the second dose has my headache. Tired just didn't feel like doing anything?
JW 18:05
Yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Okay, well, awesome. I'm just kind of out of curiosity. How do you think in terms of like the government, or even you know, local government officials? How do you think they've kind of handled the response to the outbreak in your own personal opinion?
SR 18:23
Yeah. So, I feel like back then, because what I've read was this whole pandemic, it, it took place in 2020. But it was there since late 2019. And I feel like if- and, you know, I read articles saying the government knew about it back in late 2019. If it were something that wasn't like not an- not announced, but if it was something brought up to the public, I feel like we would have been in a better situation right now. Instead of waiting and waiting and waiting until that March area of 2021. You know, back there, I feel like the US government wasn't very prepared on how to handle the situation. And then from a local government. So, I'm currently in Minnesota. And there- you know the governor has been taking this very seriously. I believe he's trying his best to you know, trying his best to like to provide medical equipment. Anything for the hospitals is us making sure like he's coming up with these the, the lockdown rules and timely so it's not like one day okay, everything's open next shut down again. He's very, if it's shut down, it's like he's, you know, he's very strict on that stuff. So, I like how the local government is actually taking some seriousness to it.
JW 20:03
Okay, awesome. So, you obviously you think? Well, I mean, you think the local government did a lot of better of a job. Would you say that the federal government did?
SR 20:11
Yeah.
JW 20:12
With information and lockdown. Okay. Interesting. You didn't mention earlier that you kind of you read an article on how or the information that they knew, obviously they're coming out, I just can you would you be willing to break down kind of how you've gotten your information in terms of keeping up to date with, you know, news about the pandemic, stuff like that? Have you been watching news channels, or?
SR 20:30
Yeah, I, I've been watching the local news. I'm also as a side hobby, I like to listen to like CNN podcasts, and CNN used to read CNN news articles. So that's what I've gotten in that you're saying back late 2019, the government actually knew about this illness going around the world. Okay,
JW 20:53
awesome. Good enough. So, I think I want to kind of address your future thoughts on that, I think a little bit more. So, in your experience, you know, how do you think that? This, I guess this pandemic has really changed society as a whole? I mean, how do you think we'll obviously, we can break it down into smaller parts? That's a really big question. But I mean, I mean, why don't we start with, you know, school, for instance, how do you think you know, school is going to be handled? Do you think I've always heard everyone say, oh, there's never going to be a snow day again, right? Do you think, do you think that's kind of happened or changed, or?
SR 21:26
In going to what you said about the snow days, I really think snow days are going to be very limited, I wouldn't say they're going to be completely gone. You know, they're going to be very limited to what, you know, like, right now, we're, we're at this full online system. But for me, what I've heard from friends, families and teachers is, they don't really like the whole zoom conference stuff. So, I believe with when it comes to snow days, it's going to be like, instead of zoom class, it's going to be just do the assignments online, and submit it. And then I think, for when, for how it changed, I would say the society is it's especially for families. I feel like it's brought, it's brought families together. Before and since before, since everyone's like going out schoolwork, you know, stuff like that. You're not really talking to your parents or talking to your siblings, every so you know, every, every minute, but now that everything's worked from home, I feel like it's brought in people closer to their family. So.
JW 22:42
okay, cool. I mean, I know I so just out of curiosity, then you, you said, you know, everyone used to be going out and doing things as someone it's very weird. I'm an introvert with FOMO (Fear of missing out), which is very strange, because I don't like to go out, but I don't want to miss you know, not going out. Right. So, I guess my question is, do you think when people you know, do start going back out again, do you think that? Well, one needing masks are going to be a thing and even more so do you think they're going to be a lot more germaphobes out there people who don't you don't want to get too close to people they want to go out and big groups?
SR 23:10
Yeah, I do believe there's going to be a lot of germaphobes out there. So they're, even though the pandemics over obviously, this pandemic has, I guess, put in a, like a like scarred to society with in my comeback. Yeah. So, I feel you know, I feel like even though everything's open back up, it's we're not just gonna go full on, you know, party. Basically, it's going to be more, let's take a step back. And it's been more cautious now that since it's over, let it be over.
JW 23:49
Okay, that makes sense. Speaking of parties that I mean, obviously, you go to a college, do you think those are like the police are going to be scouring a lot more for college parties because the pandemic and how it's happened? Or do you think that things will kind of return a little bit more to mean, it's, it's a party, it's whatever, it's not that big of a deal? And I mean, obviously, it's not like house parties are really that clearly are safe. And you mentioned the masks and the germaphobes. But when people are in large groups like that, how do you think it's going to tag s end up fare out?
SR 24:20
I want to say it's more, in my opinion, I feel like it's more when you go into what you said about the police. Like going around, I feel like that's going to slow down a little. And you know, it's not they're not going to go to like every party in the neighborhood saying, you know, what are you doing, but parties and is like football games are won are not going to be the same, the still less numbers of people are going to go, Okay, now. And now. Now that everything's online, and you can see the game via even before like for football. Any games you've seen online and TV. So I feel like more people are going to do that. And then when it comes to like college, that college parties, many people are going to, they're going to go, I'm not going to say that they're not going to the parties, they're going to go. But they're going to be more cautious on how they're interacting with their social- friends’ social group.
JW 25:23
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So that's kind of all like the, I guess, the broad standard questions I really have for you. I was just kind of curious, I really want to take a step back and go back to kind of your family and your relatives in India. I mean, obviously, you having people that close in an area that's struggling so hard, I mean, I would argue the pandemic really isn't over for them yet. They're still, still struggling, kind of, do you think that the pandemic is still going to be hitting them relatively hard for a while off in the future? Or do you think that it's going to be.
SR 25:55
It will be, especially with, especially with the population in India and
how large it is. It's even now, it's, it's hard to maintain social distancing.
JW 26:03
Yeah,
SR 26:04
you know, I'm from the region. I'm from South India. And, within the last couple of months, it's been like elections. So, there's still a lot of politicians going and having election ballots, and, you know, people are gathering in smaller areas to vote and stuff like that. So I think if it, this is going to, even though let's say it's over for us, countries like India are going to still be in effect for another year, so I feel like,
JW 26:43
Okay, wow, that's Yeah, that's, that's really sad to hear.
SR 26:46
I mean, I know a lot of it is no, it's, it's hard to hear, especially when you have family in India. Yeah. And I, you know, it stresses me out knowing that they're not safe.
JW 26:59
Yeah. No, that makes a lot of sense. Do you think that there's going to be an opportunity for vaccinations out there anytime soon? Or? I don't know-
SR 27:11
[indecipherable stuttering] Yes? There actually. There's a vaccine created in India, called the COVID, COVID. Shield.
JW 27:21
Okay.
SR 27:22
It's a that's been going around, but for the vast population for him, and knowing that India is one of the largest countries, yeah, it would be very hard for them to get every single person vaccinated, or at least most of everyone vaccinated.
JW 27:40
Yeah, no, I mean, that's kind of what I was going to ask afterwards. You know, even if it's obviously if there was one, it's got to be incredibly difficult to kind of get everybody vaccinated. Still, I mean, it's hard to get everyone vaccinated here, right? No, wait, and even, you know, the increased risk. So? Yeah, no, that's, I'm really sorry to hear that everything is struggling. I mean, you will you be able to visit them anytime soon. Now that-
SR 28:01
Yeah, we, we usually- before this pandemic, my family used to go to India every three every two to three years. Okay. To visit family. I said earlier, we're supposed to go last summer, that got cancelled because of the pandemic. And then we planned to go this summer thinking it would probably get better. And then it didn't get better. So, we're not going this summer. So, it's, you know, it's hard knowing your family there. And you can just you can go and see them.
JW 28:35
Yeah, I mean, without zoom, I think it would be an even, even worse thing. And any technology in that way has helped keep people together. But I can't imagine. I mean, not all of my family is, I mean, they're across the US, but they're not. I mean, if I need to go see them. I can it's not that hard to get I international travel is definitely been hard for a lot of people and it's, gonna hit hard.
SR 28:57
No, its gonna hit hard no, yeah, I got because there and then I also have family here in Chicago and California majority and like the California area, it still goes with how California street is going with it. It's so hard to see those relatives as well.
JW 29:17
Yeah, I I've got so a lot of my friends that I don't talk to here live in California. And I think only one or two of them have had the opportunity to get fully vaccinated there. It's, it's pretty hard just because of how large the area is and how big the population is.
SR 29:33
Yeah, and especially I have in India, my grandfather is helping his they live in like a senior apartment area. Okay. And my grandfather is working of like volunteering with them to provide vaccines for everyone. So that all said stress to me and my parents saying how, if he's going to go out and help all these people, it's great, but like He has a risk of getting it himself.
JW 30:03
Yeah, no, that's very fair. I kind of I think that's all I really got for you today. I think that I'll kind of end this right around the half hour mark for us, too. I wasn't aiming for it, but it ended up just kind of falling right into place there. Do you have any other questions or things you want to address with me?
SR 30:19
I'm just gonna ask how are you doing with it? How's your-
JW 30:23
So personally, I had a very weird time. So, when all my friends got sick, especially we might sorry, first, I'll say my dad is 77 years old. And I got to hug him for the first time in a year on his birthday, which was just about a month ago. He was born on April 4. And I haven't I mean, it had been so long since I've been able to even step within five feet of my dad, right. But now that he's fully vaccinated, however, up here, school, I don't struggle as much as I think most people do. I think personally, me. I, the hardest part for me is that like, I love I consider myself an introvert. But on the days where I actually want to go out and socialize, it's very hard for me to sit inside and say, No, I can't do this. There are people out there that are getting sick. And I think that's a big problem. I mean, the job I'm working this summer is the ropes course position. And it's going to be I mean- I'm going to be involved with a lot of younger kids. And I have to make sure that I'm safe and fully back. So, I'm, yeah, I'm fully vaccinated. But I have to make sure that I'm still saving money, it is still possible to get good COVID and right, pass it on. So, it's, it's very difficult for me to kind of to interact with people even on times where I do want to go out and socialize and have to say, all right, if I'm going to do this, then I have to be ready to be safe or take the consequences from that. So.
SR 31:46
I totally understand especially actually started out in St. Cloud State University for my first semester, okay. And as I moved in, I was like this, I wasn't very excited, where my excitement took over the whole cautiousness of the kynurenic. So I went through with high expectations, going to go to party is going to have fun, because I experienced that college life and then four. And then after I moved in four days later, I got an email from my professors saying everything's online, and then I moved back home. So
JW 32:22
yeah, no, and that's, that's kind of the harsh reality here. I mean, I don't know I i got the second biggest room in the house. I have eight or seven other roommates. I have a huge, huge packed house. But like, if I had a small room, I don't know if I'd be able to stay sane. If I like I would be I would really struggle. Because what are you going to do? You can't go anywhere all of your homework is online, you're in a tiny little corner doing everything. I mean, it would be incredibly difficult I think for, for people like that- I mean, I if I bet you've had to move home and something that I'm very glad I haven't had to do. Having a house here having, having not being stuck in a dorm room has been really, really big for me if I had to move home and do all of this homework from like, in front of the house next to my parents, I think I would be driven insane. I'm not gonna lie.
SR 33:08
Yeah. Oh, I was gonna add going into school. I was gonna add my cousin actually in India.
JW 33: 14
Okay.
SR 33:15
Is their- they're at their final examinations for their school year. And she explained to me saying all the teachers acquired aware, not like have a full-face cover,
JW 33:32
Yeah.
SR 33:32
And a mask.
JW 33:34
Oh, wow. Really?
SR 33:34
though, you need like a face shield and a mask. And then you have to wear gloves? Wow, they're taking it to the next level. I
JW 33:38
Wow, they're taking it to the next level. I mean, I think it's good to be safe, you know,
SR 33:42
for sure. Especially with what's going on right now. Yeah. India's in like this situation. They've-they really, you know, the schooling system there has really pumped up the seriousness.
JW 33:56
Yeah, I mean, we can I mean, go into that a little bit more if you would like to, I mean, do you want to cover kind of the, the aspect of that maybe they do increase safety precautions that are being taken in you know, schools for India?
SR 34:10
Yeah, yeah. There's a not where my cousin goes to school and our- my family are but there's a place nearby school. It's a private- more of a private school. You- what I've what I've heard from them. Like, that's cool when you have to, like actually get COVID tested every week. So, it's there, the precautions are there. But it's more there. Get there. I feel like because in India, there's a lot of holidays. Yeah. A lot of like, a lot of just religious holidays. So especially with that more people are like, Oh, it's like, okay, it's like Diwali. Let's go meet my family. Let's go hang out. No, they're not understanding that let's just take it slow. I feel like that's what truly put India in this situation there are now I mean, obviously right now it's not Diwali, you know it, just for example, I used it, but you know, or just any other prayers are suffering I religious stuff, there's, there's still going out and crowding around like temples or so I feel like if, if the people actually understand that it's a, it's a big event but still there's a bigger event going on.
JW 35:36
Yeah, no, that makes a lot of sense. I mean, I think I think that's certainly one of the harder things is how do you how do you say, Okay, well, I have to put this aside for, for my, you know, I have to put the religion aside for safety, or I'm in Kenya, I think that definitely is an incredibly hard part. Yeah, I would say I mean, you're right, maybe not do all they do all is not the primary cause. But I think that example, you know, that the religious holidays are probably already to get grouped is a big thing. So yeah.
SR 36:08
As I've seen, even on news, we actually have Indian news here. We get a watched Indian news, and many more, many of those interviews are saying that people are not really caring that much anymore. They're so fed up that they don't know, like, I don't care. So, and that's really what's put India in this situation.
JW 36:34
Yeah, they're just so they're just moving forward and saying, you know, screw the pandemic, screw inside, we just have to do our own thing and live our lives?
SR 36:42
Right. And that's what many people are saying, you know, many people, bro, like, I just want to be able to be free. Guys, back in my house. I don't want to be stuck in my house anymore.
JW 36:55
Yeah, I mean, I know, that was certainly a hard thing for us on lockdown, but it was not nearly as long as what they've had to go through.
SR 37:00
Right. And especially with the population that large, you know, on with? Not really, at least where I'm from. There's not really you know, there's cows everywhere. There's animals everywhere. There's just people everywhere. No matter where you go. It's crowded. Oh, so you can't avoid there. You can't avoid groups. And yeah, it's you're just even if you're walking down the street, it's still like, just the full people just crowds. You can try to social distance, but it's hard.
JW 37:35
Very hard, okay. Yeah, that's, that's really, really tough. I wouldn't know what to do in that situation, to be totally honest with you. I mean, here when I see you know, large groups like that there's always room or a place to go. I guess there's, there's not if it's all you know, if there's animals and people around every corner, you really can't avoid it. Can you-
SR 37:53
Right. Like, here, what, and let's take for me, from my neighborhood, I go down the street. I like right now. I see no one outside. But if I'm in India, I'll see like, 50 people 60 just in one area.
JWS 38:09
Wow. Okay, wow. Yeah. So, you really can't avoid it at all. That's really too bad. I mean, I I can certainly understand why that's definitely or why that why India is struggling with such a high population in such high density in their areas, too.
SR 38:27
Yeah, I feel I know, for me, personally, I blame the whole population part of it.
JW 38:33
Yeah. Yeah, I think
SR 38:36
Yeah, yeah. Go ahead.
JW 38:37
I was I was just gonna say, I was actually gonna ask if you could elaborate. I was gonna say having Yeah- would you, would you mind elaborating and you were going to so I'll let you do that.
SR 38:47
I was- you know, with the whole population, I feel like the government also isn't more actively responding to this. And for an India, private hospitals are the bigger are the biggest things. But they're, you know, there's a lot of lower income, people staying there. So, especially with lower income families, it's hard to go to those hospitals and get the help they need when they're effective. But then, you know, I feel like if the government can really control unlike and have more zones. So, let's say two families here got COVID Let's try to like, zone this area out and send people to check on everyone else. Yeah, but, but I don't see them doing that. You know, I don't hear about them doing it. It's more. Okay. They got COVID Oh, no. Okay. I don't know what to do.
JW 39:56
Yeah, well, that makes a lot of sense. I think. Yeah, definitely. more options to kind of reach out and try to help people. And it's unfortunate that it's not being done in an area that that is affected so heavily for sure.
SR 40:07
Right? You know, I'm seeing more this. It's all about the government. I feel like if the government's there to help, it's going to be you know, it's gonna be fine. Yeah, but I don't see that all I see is politicians trying to market themselves and, and run these elections and run these big gatherings? Yeah, there's a there's a gathering couple days ago, I saw image 1000s of people. Wow. No one's like, say out of 1000 people probably 20 are wearing a mask that's saying under, like, under their chin. Why have they have a mask over their ears? So I feel like the seriousness of the pandemic has not really taken place in India.
JW 41:01
No, that's fair. Well, I'm thinking, is there anything else kind of you want to add to that? Or are you kind of happy with that sharing?
SR 41:10
Think I’m good. Yeah.
JW 41:12
Okay. Well, I mean, well, thank you for your, your insight on the and both on the on the India part and on your own your own lifestyle as well. I think that that provides a number of viewpoints and I think yours, yours specifically is really useful because of- you know, your relatives and how closely related you are to that problem, too.
SR 41:31
Yeah, I hope I was able to answer all your questions properly.
JW 41:35
Oh, no, you certainly were on. After we're done here. I'll kind of just get you are you and I can just hop into a quick record. It's just like, I'll stop recording and then you and I can finish everything up. But we need to. So yeah. Really quickly. Oh, no. Okay, cool. I will pause the video in just a second. All right.
Perfect. Okay, now we're all set. So, we're just going to real quickly say, so it is currently May 6, the time is 2:05pm. My name is Jack Wanner. I am obviously going to Eau Claire- Going to University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Currently, at this time, there are 32,313,016 deaths in the United States due to current cases in the United States due to COVID. In Wisconsin, the cases are 607,270. The deaths in the US are 575,400 91,000. The deaths in the US are 686,890 1000 and the vaccines administered are at 250 million. If you would be willing to give a little bit of your name kind of your background information. And just kind of some stuff that you do on your day-to-day basis.
Sai Rebbapragada 1:05
Yeah, so thanks for this opportunity again. My name is Sai. I'm a first-year student at UW Eau Claire studying business with a management minor, thinking of manage management minor. And day to day, I still have a part time job here working with the kids in the daycare center, at my gym, and then I played tennis every day. So.
Jack Wanner 1:34
Awesome. Okay, cool. So, I kind of just want to ask you kind of what your first thoughts are, when you heard about COVID-19 and kind of How have your thoughts changed since then, as well, and how they evolved? Yeah,
Sai Rebbapragada 1:48
So, you know, back last March, March I think I really, that's when, for me, it really hit. At first, I didn't, but it's like, it's probably just like a flu or something, it's gonna, you know, they say we're gonna have a two-week lockdown. But, you know, it's just gonna be two weeks, and then we're back to normal. I honestly did not think it would take a year. Now, so it was like I at first, I didn't really care too much. Since I was busy with my stuff, I didn't really everything went online, and but it didn't really change for what I was doing. So that and then I'm, like, right now and now I'm like, wow, it's even though it hasn't impacted me much. It's really impacted other people. And I’m like the type of person I like to help people a lot. So I see around in my local area, actually, I've seen a lot of people homeless on the street, or struggling to pay rent, to stuff like that and then going with now since I'm a sports player, like, I like playing tennis, on the season, Now that everything's kind of like slowly opening back up, the seasons coming back, we have it's a lot of even those seasons, there's a lot of restrictions, like always keeping your mask on which playing tennis, it's a cardio heavy sport, so it's hard wearing a mask all the time. That's, that's kind of, you know, really where I'm at, where I'm getting affected. I'm blessed to not be, you know, financially struggling, you know, still being able to attend colleges, even though it's virtual. It's, you know, it is hard not being able to see people, but I still get to talk via video chatting.
Jack Wanner 3:51
Yeah, and that is one great way that technology has helped. I am interested I know I do have some friends as well who are on the athletic side of the athletic side of Eau Claire and dealing with cardio sports and having to wear masks has got to be really hard. You did mention a little bit that you're you work with kids and your job How is it is it difficult to keep them I mean, obviously you have to be saved, they have to be safe is that
Sai Rebbapragada 4:18
So, it is hard since we, we have kids anywhere from infants like, like zero to 11 years old. As of now, what we've done is we've had like we said, like play pads in different like stations. So, and we have everyone's age six and older are required to wear a mask inside. But you know, there are those times where kids don't listen to you and want to, you know, just do whatever they want. Kids will be right here right. So, we have like We'll have like different staff members monitoring each area, make sure everyone can follow the social media, social distancing protocol.
JW 5:10
Awesome. Okay, cool. Just out of curiosity. So, has obviously, you just mentioned that COVID affected your job and kind of how it had to change some of its protocols and play stations, and stuff like that. You did mention that you're not struggling financially. So, I would assume that COVID hasn't really affected your employment status in any way. Just to be clear on that.
SR 5:33
Oh, me personally, as a part time worker, only things really, you know, I'm, it's affected, like my hours, but has it affected my hours and what, but I'm living at home with my parents. So, when I say I'm not financially struggling, it's like we as a family, you know, and I'm very blessed that I have parents who can financially support me and the family to, and we, you know, since everything's now like, tech, everything's online, we were able to just fine, be fine. Just fine. Transferring. Online. Still working.
JW 6:14
Awesome. Awesome. I actually, that does lead me to kind of to my next set of questions, I kind of want to ask about how COVID affected your family. And, you know, how are you managing day to day activities in your household? I mean, obviously, you can't go out and seeing relatives, it's got to be difficult.
SR 6:27
So yeah, so we've, but this whole COVID and we like go once a week to like the grocery store. And before he should go two, three times a week just to snacks, whatnot. Now it's more it's just it's, it's a neat thing. Do you really need it? Okay, you can go out. And so, what does with the relative actually, we're supposed to go on a trip, we were supposed to go to India last summer. You know, and that's when all this type COVID pandemic lockdown started. Yeah. And that was really hard for me personally, not to be able to go. Because I had so many grandparents and family, my, my family is huge. So, me being like a family person, I wanted to go and see my extended family meet them. So, it was hard. And then my grandfather was like, elderly, like very ease in his like, 80s to 90 area. So just a thought of him being at that age and with a pandemic going on really hit me knowing like, you know, it might affect he might or not, might not get COVID he's in the higher bracket area. So, there's that, but I'm, I'm still able to talk to them virtually through Skype zoom.
JW 8:02
That's awesome to hear. So yeah, you mentioned to me earlier that your, your whole family, all of your relatives are over in India, and obviously you worried about your grandfather? Have any of any of your family members gotten COVID? And if so, is there been any risk to it?
SR 8:17
As of right now, what I've know is, no one really got affected by the pandemic. No one got COVID awesome. There are we have friends who have had their families affected, and people in the neighborhood where my grandparents were COVID. But none of my family members have.
JW 8:42
That's really good to hear. That's awesome to hear. Okay, awesome. So, I mean, yeah, yeah, it's nice that you have zoom. Obviously, that helps keep you connected and keeping you, I guess, keeping you guys all in touch. Unfortunately. Yeah, it does suck that the pandemic limited. Your, your access to being able to go see them. And that must be really hard for you currently not being able to go see them.
SR 9:05
Yeah.
JW 9:06
Yeah, I can definitely see how that goes. So just in terms of like, recreation with your family, are you guys able to go out and do anything? Or how do you guys handle like, you know, playing games doing physical activity, stuff like that?
SR 9:21
We’ll, we’ll go once in a while to like a park or something or take a walk down the street.
JW 9:26
Okay.
SR 9:26
So now that it's getting warmer out, though, we started going biking a lot.
JW 9:32
Awesome. Okay, cool. So, you're still not you're not super limited by by all the things you're still able to do some outdoor activities and
SR 9:37
Yeah we're still able to go outdoors and just, just have fun. Walk around.
JW 9:44
Awesome. Just really quickly, then. Are any of your family members? Are
you vaccinated? Anything like that?
SR 9:49
Yes, actually, as of yesterday, I am fully vaccinated, my mom-
JW
Oh, me too.
SR
[Laughs] Nice. My mom’s fully vaccinated and I my dad's also fully vaccinated, he got his second shot a week ago.
JW 10:05
Awesome. That's really great to hear. So, I guess we're gonna kind of move on to questions just kind of about the community and how you're interacting with that, and how COVID has works in that aspect. So in terms of like, I other, so I wouldn't say recreational activities, but in terms of like your community, you know, people outside of just your small zone, how have you dealt with that, I mean, in terms of like school, or clubs, or even, even your job, I mean, you mentioned briefly about your job and that it had to do other things, but his, you know, school been different or difficult with, with this new pandemic going on.
SR 10:42
I will say truly, it was hard to adjust going online with school, especially with the minnows trying to, it's not like, you know, when you're in person school, you have your teacher right there to ask questions or guide for assignments, something like that. But when we've all moved online, it was hard for me to make that one-on-one connection. And even now, it's, you know, it's, it's hard, trying to, like, self-study everything that I've seen, you know, everything Now that everything's online, become more self-study.
JW 11:17
Yeah, I can definitely relate to that. I have had a couple of papers that I'm like, Alright, I'll just do all the background information on I guess it's fine. Yeah, no, that's, that's one of the more relatable parts of the pandemic, I think, for both of us being students. So, just out of curiosity, have you struggled with the idea of like self-isolation, and, you know, flattening the curve and not being able to go outside and do a ton of things or?
SR 11:45
Yeah, cuz I'm, I'm very, what’s the term FOMO fear of missing out.
JW 11:51
Yeah.
SR 11:52
I have that going on with me. So, if I do see people going out, I'm like, darn, I wish I can go and do stuff. But all I know is, the more, the more safe I am and the more safe the community is, we can start going out and having fun with other interact with other people. Yeah, I've, I've been kept up with, like the biking and then I played tennis, so I still get to go out and enjoy stuff.
JW 12:26
Awesome. That's really good to hear. If you'll give me one second, I just wanted to blow my nose. I feel like it's been kind of irritating the whole time. Just give me one brief minute here.
SR 12:35
Yeah, nice.
JW 12:48
Awesome, so sorry about that. Okay, so moving on a little bit more. You mentioned that so none of your family members have gotten sick. But Has anyone else you know, by any chance have gotten sick? Maybe friends or athletes or?
SR 13:02
Yeah, actually, one of my friends got COVID about three months ago, is seriously actually say that seriously affected by. He was hospitalized for about three, four days.
JW 13:17
Wow. That's-
SR 13:19
So, he got COVID and he's doing fine. Now. He's moving around, and He's, he actually did track.
JW 13:28
Okay,
SR 13:28
So, he's back on running. So, he's, he's doing good. And then we have family friends who are who and who traveled to other countries to see their family where they are. Because due to some, you know, Family Health stuff with the COVID getting COVID. So, they've traveled to India actually to go take care of them.
JW 13:54
Wow. Okay, and they got sick in India, or they got sick outside of it, or they're there
SR 13:59
They got sick India- In India.
JW 14:01
Okay. That's unfortunate. I know, I know, that kind of areas. Definitely. very heavily populated. So COVID is really it's really hard to keep everyone separated. So, I guess I kind of want to go back a little bit and talk about your friend who was hospitalized. You said he's doing better now obviously. And then it was a scary time for him. Because he talked about kind of, does he noticed that there any, like long lasting effects or anything that he's really picked up on? Or- I-did that- or I mean, has his mood changed about him socializing and being more careful
SR 14:32
He is, he is. And I want to put this out there before this happened to him. He was very, very social, came out a lot. He didn't actually care about this pandemic. He's used one of those. Like, it's against just another flu. I'm not I'm never going to get it in his head. He's like, I'm never gonna get it wants to chance. And then once this happened to him, where he actually did get COVID and was in hospital. He's become more of if he asked to go out, he'll go out. But if he doesn't, he's just gonna stay at home. It's, he's, he's more of that. The social person and the whole I don't care went away completely. Yeah, he goes out he's not just wearing a mask, but he's, he's wearing gloves. He's very particular on the subject now.
JW 15:36
Yeah, no, I, I know personally. So, I've been pretty careful about it. I've got a couple of friends that have autoimmune disorders, and I'm not able to go out and hang out with them unless I've taken some serious time. And I got, I got COVID from a friend of mine, we were all hanging out in a group, but it was outdoors. We were all very well, very spread apart. And one of them knew they had symptoms didn't get it tested, and then they got us all sick. And it's, it's frustrating, because even, even when you're I mean, he, he wasn't, you know, obviously he used that he was very social. I didn't believe it could happen. But even when you are saved, it's a hard time sometimes for you to be able to, to avoid it.
SR 16:14
It is no he actually, the first time he did get it. We all were like, dude, go get tested, you might actually have COVID. But he thought it was just a regular. He was just, it was probably a seasonal change. That's what he said. And we think a week and a half later. That's when he started like, wow, it's, it's I can't taste anything. And breathing slowed down. He actually got he got this like he started sweating a lot.
JW 16:47
Interesting.
SR 16:48
Yeah. So, he was he was like, in very bad shape. So that's when he decided, Okay, let's go get tested. Turns out he was he was positive for COVID. And then two days later, he was in the hospital.
JW 17:03
Wow. That's, I mean, I'm glad he's saved now, but that is
SR 17:07
No yeah, he’s perfectly fine now he's running biking. He's, he's like a new man now, but now he's more cautious.
JW 17:15
Good. Well, you know, that's sometimes that's the lesson that takes but yeah, so you did mention earlier that you use a year you're, you're fully vaccinated. Have you had any side effects or anything that hits you? Or has it hit you kind of relatively hard?
SR 17:29
For the, when I took the first dose, I was approached perfectly fine. I didn't feel any side effects. I actually went to work then, a couple hours later, and felt totally fine. But when I took the second dose, that's where I was tired. I had a headache. No, arm was a little sore. That's when I took it. The first time I my arm was never sore. I was able to go to work, work out, you know, but the second dose has my headache. Tired just didn't feel like doing anything?
JW 18:05
Yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Okay, well, awesome. I'm just kind of out of curiosity. How do you think in terms of like the government, or even you know, local government officials? How do you think they've kind of handled the response to the outbreak in your own personal opinion?
SR 18:23
Yeah. So, I feel like back then, because what I've read was this whole pandemic, it, it took place in 2020. But it was there since late 2019. And I feel like if- and, you know, I read articles saying the government knew about it back in late 2019. If it were something that wasn't like not an- not announced, but if it was something brought up to the public, I feel like we would have been in a better situation right now. Instead of waiting and waiting and waiting until that March area of 2021. You know, back there, I feel like the US government wasn't very prepared on how to handle the situation. And then from a local government. So, I'm currently in Minnesota. And there- you know the governor has been taking this very seriously. I believe he's trying his best to you know, trying his best to like to provide medical equipment. Anything for the hospitals is us making sure like he's coming up with these the, the lockdown rules and timely so it's not like one day okay, everything's open next shut down again. He's very, if it's shut down, it's like he's, you know, he's very strict on that stuff. So, I like how the local government is actually taking some seriousness to it.
JW 20:03
Okay, awesome. So, you obviously you think? Well, I mean, you think the local government did a lot of better of a job. Would you say that the federal government did?
SR 20:11
Yeah.
JW 20:12
With information and lockdown. Okay. Interesting. You didn't mention earlier that you kind of you read an article on how or the information that they knew, obviously they're coming out, I just can you would you be willing to break down kind of how you've gotten your information in terms of keeping up to date with, you know, news about the pandemic, stuff like that? Have you been watching news channels, or?
SR 20:30
Yeah, I, I've been watching the local news. I'm also as a side hobby, I like to listen to like CNN podcasts, and CNN used to read CNN news articles. So that's what I've gotten in that you're saying back late 2019, the government actually knew about this illness going around the world. Okay,
JW 20:53
awesome. Good enough. So, I think I want to kind of address your future thoughts on that, I think a little bit more. So, in your experience, you know, how do you think that? This, I guess this pandemic has really changed society as a whole? I mean, how do you think we'll obviously, we can break it down into smaller parts? That's a really big question. But I mean, I mean, why don't we start with, you know, school, for instance, how do you think you know, school is going to be handled? Do you think I've always heard everyone say, oh, there's never going to be a snow day again, right? Do you think, do you think that's kind of happened or changed, or?
SR 21:26
In going to what you said about the snow days, I really think snow days are going to be very limited, I wouldn't say they're going to be completely gone. You know, they're going to be very limited to what, you know, like, right now, we're, we're at this full online system. But for me, what I've heard from friends, families and teachers is, they don't really like the whole zoom conference stuff. So, I believe with when it comes to snow days, it's going to be like, instead of zoom class, it's going to be just do the assignments online, and submit it. And then I think, for when, for how it changed, I would say the society is it's especially for families. I feel like it's brought, it's brought families together. Before and since before, since everyone's like going out schoolwork, you know, stuff like that. You're not really talking to your parents or talking to your siblings, every so you know, every, every minute, but now that everything's worked from home, I feel like it's brought in people closer to their family. So.
JW 22:42
okay, cool. I mean, I know I so just out of curiosity, then you, you said, you know, everyone used to be going out and doing things as someone it's very weird. I'm an introvert with FOMO (Fear of missing out), which is very strange, because I don't like to go out, but I don't want to miss you know, not going out. Right. So, I guess my question is, do you think when people you know, do start going back out again, do you think that? Well, one needing masks are going to be a thing and even more so do you think they're going to be a lot more germaphobes out there people who don't you don't want to get too close to people they want to go out and big groups?
SR 23:10
Yeah, I do believe there's going to be a lot of germaphobes out there. So they're, even though the pandemics over obviously, this pandemic has, I guess, put in a, like a like scarred to society with in my comeback. Yeah. So, I feel you know, I feel like even though everything's open back up, it's we're not just gonna go full on, you know, party. Basically, it's going to be more, let's take a step back. And it's been more cautious now that since it's over, let it be over.
JW 23:49
Okay, that makes sense. Speaking of parties that I mean, obviously, you go to a college, do you think those are like the police are going to be scouring a lot more for college parties because the pandemic and how it's happened? Or do you think that things will kind of return a little bit more to mean, it's, it's a party, it's whatever, it's not that big of a deal? And I mean, obviously, it's not like house parties are really that clearly are safe. And you mentioned the masks and the germaphobes. But when people are in large groups like that, how do you think it's going to tag s end up fare out?
SR 24:20
I want to say it's more, in my opinion, I feel like it's more when you go into what you said about the police. Like going around, I feel like that's going to slow down a little. And you know, it's not they're not going to go to like every party in the neighborhood saying, you know, what are you doing, but parties and is like football games are won are not going to be the same, the still less numbers of people are going to go, Okay, now. And now. Now that everything's online, and you can see the game via even before like for football. Any games you've seen online and TV. So I feel like more people are going to do that. And then when it comes to like college, that college parties, many people are going to, they're going to go, I'm not going to say that they're not going to the parties, they're going to go. But they're going to be more cautious on how they're interacting with their social- friends’ social group.
JW 25:23
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So that's kind of all like the, I guess, the broad standard questions I really have for you. I was just kind of curious, I really want to take a step back and go back to kind of your family and your relatives in India. I mean, obviously, you having people that close in an area that's struggling so hard, I mean, I would argue the pandemic really isn't over for them yet. They're still, still struggling, kind of, do you think that the pandemic is still going to be hitting them relatively hard for a while off in the future? Or do you think that it's going to be.
SR 25:55
It will be, especially with, especially with the population in India and
how large it is. It's even now, it's, it's hard to maintain social distancing.
JW 26:03
Yeah,
SR 26:04
you know, I'm from the region. I'm from South India. And, within the last couple of months, it's been like elections. So, there's still a lot of politicians going and having election ballots, and, you know, people are gathering in smaller areas to vote and stuff like that. So I think if it, this is going to, even though let's say it's over for us, countries like India are going to still be in effect for another year, so I feel like,
JW 26:43
Okay, wow, that's Yeah, that's, that's really sad to hear.
SR 26:46
I mean, I know a lot of it is no, it's, it's hard to hear, especially when you have family in India. Yeah. And I, you know, it stresses me out knowing that they're not safe.
JW 26:59
Yeah. No, that makes a lot of sense. Do you think that there's going to be an opportunity for vaccinations out there anytime soon? Or? I don't know-
SR 27:11
[indecipherable stuttering] Yes? There actually. There's a vaccine created in India, called the COVID, COVID. Shield.
JW 27:21
Okay.
SR 27:22
It's a that's been going around, but for the vast population for him, and knowing that India is one of the largest countries, yeah, it would be very hard for them to get every single person vaccinated, or at least most of everyone vaccinated.
JW 27:40
Yeah, no, I mean, that's kind of what I was going to ask afterwards. You know, even if it's obviously if there was one, it's got to be incredibly difficult to kind of get everybody vaccinated. Still, I mean, it's hard to get everyone vaccinated here, right? No, wait, and even, you know, the increased risk. So? Yeah, no, that's, I'm really sorry to hear that everything is struggling. I mean, you will you be able to visit them anytime soon. Now that-
SR 28:01
Yeah, we, we usually- before this pandemic, my family used to go to India every three every two to three years. Okay. To visit family. I said earlier, we're supposed to go last summer, that got cancelled because of the pandemic. And then we planned to go this summer thinking it would probably get better. And then it didn't get better. So, we're not going this summer. So, it's, you know, it's hard knowing your family there. And you can just you can go and see them.
JW 28:35
Yeah, I mean, without zoom, I think it would be an even, even worse thing. And any technology in that way has helped keep people together. But I can't imagine. I mean, not all of my family is, I mean, they're across the US, but they're not. I mean, if I need to go see them. I can it's not that hard to get I international travel is definitely been hard for a lot of people and it's, gonna hit hard.
SR 28:57
No, its gonna hit hard no, yeah, I got because there and then I also have family here in Chicago and California majority and like the California area, it still goes with how California street is going with it. It's so hard to see those relatives as well.
JW 29:17
Yeah, I I've got so a lot of my friends that I don't talk to here live in California. And I think only one or two of them have had the opportunity to get fully vaccinated there. It's, it's pretty hard just because of how large the area is and how big the population is.
SR 29:33
Yeah, and especially I have in India, my grandfather is helping his they live in like a senior apartment area. Okay. And my grandfather is working of like volunteering with them to provide vaccines for everyone. So that all said stress to me and my parents saying how, if he's going to go out and help all these people, it's great, but like He has a risk of getting it himself.
JW 30:03
Yeah, no, that's very fair. I kind of I think that's all I really got for you today. I think that I'll kind of end this right around the half hour mark for us, too. I wasn't aiming for it, but it ended up just kind of falling right into place there. Do you have any other questions or things you want to address with me?
SR 30:19
I'm just gonna ask how are you doing with it? How's your-
JW 30:23
So personally, I had a very weird time. So, when all my friends got sick, especially we might sorry, first, I'll say my dad is 77 years old. And I got to hug him for the first time in a year on his birthday, which was just about a month ago. He was born on April 4. And I haven't I mean, it had been so long since I've been able to even step within five feet of my dad, right. But now that he's fully vaccinated, however, up here, school, I don't struggle as much as I think most people do. I think personally, me. I, the hardest part for me is that like, I love I consider myself an introvert. But on the days where I actually want to go out and socialize, it's very hard for me to sit inside and say, No, I can't do this. There are people out there that are getting sick. And I think that's a big problem. I mean, the job I'm working this summer is the ropes course position. And it's going to be I mean- I'm going to be involved with a lot of younger kids. And I have to make sure that I'm safe and fully back. So, I'm, yeah, I'm fully vaccinated. But I have to make sure that I'm still saving money, it is still possible to get good COVID and right, pass it on. So, it's, it's very difficult for me to kind of to interact with people even on times where I do want to go out and socialize and have to say, all right, if I'm going to do this, then I have to be ready to be safe or take the consequences from that. So.
SR 31:46
I totally understand especially actually started out in St. Cloud State University for my first semester, okay. And as I moved in, I was like this, I wasn't very excited, where my excitement took over the whole cautiousness of the kynurenic. So I went through with high expectations, going to go to party is going to have fun, because I experienced that college life and then four. And then after I moved in four days later, I got an email from my professors saying everything's online, and then I moved back home. So
JW 32:22
yeah, no, and that's, that's kind of the harsh reality here. I mean, I don't know I i got the second biggest room in the house. I have eight or seven other roommates. I have a huge, huge packed house. But like, if I had a small room, I don't know if I'd be able to stay sane. If I like I would be I would really struggle. Because what are you going to do? You can't go anywhere all of your homework is online, you're in a tiny little corner doing everything. I mean, it would be incredibly difficult I think for, for people like that- I mean, I if I bet you've had to move home and something that I'm very glad I haven't had to do. Having a house here having, having not being stuck in a dorm room has been really, really big for me if I had to move home and do all of this homework from like, in front of the house next to my parents, I think I would be driven insane. I'm not gonna lie.
SR 33:08
Yeah. Oh, I was gonna add going into school. I was gonna add my cousin actually in India.
JW 33: 14
Okay.
SR 33:15
Is their- they're at their final examinations for their school year. And she explained to me saying all the teachers acquired aware, not like have a full-face cover,
JW 33:32
Yeah.
SR 33:32
And a mask.
JW 33:34
Oh, wow. Really?
SR 33:34
though, you need like a face shield and a mask. And then you have to wear gloves? Wow, they're taking it to the next level. I
JW 33:38
Wow, they're taking it to the next level. I mean, I think it's good to be safe, you know,
SR 33:42
for sure. Especially with what's going on right now. Yeah. India's in like this situation. They've-they really, you know, the schooling system there has really pumped up the seriousness.
JW 33:56
Yeah, I mean, we can I mean, go into that a little bit more if you would like to, I mean, do you want to cover kind of the, the aspect of that maybe they do increase safety precautions that are being taken in you know, schools for India?
SR 34:10
Yeah, yeah. There's a not where my cousin goes to school and our- my family are but there's a place nearby school. It's a private- more of a private school. You- what I've what I've heard from them. Like, that's cool when you have to, like actually get COVID tested every week. So, it's there, the precautions are there. But it's more there. Get there. I feel like because in India, there's a lot of holidays. Yeah. A lot of like, a lot of just religious holidays. So especially with that more people are like, Oh, it's like, okay, it's like Diwali. Let's go meet my family. Let's go hang out. No, they're not understanding that let's just take it slow. I feel like that's what truly put India in this situation there are now I mean, obviously right now it's not Diwali, you know it, just for example, I used it, but you know, or just any other prayers are suffering I religious stuff, there's, there's still going out and crowding around like temples or so I feel like if, if the people actually understand that it's a, it's a big event but still there's a bigger event going on.
JW 35:36
Yeah, no, that makes a lot of sense. I mean, I think I think that's certainly one of the harder things is how do you how do you say, Okay, well, I have to put this aside for, for my, you know, I have to put the religion aside for safety, or I'm in Kenya, I think that definitely is an incredibly hard part. Yeah, I would say I mean, you're right, maybe not do all they do all is not the primary cause. But I think that example, you know, that the religious holidays are probably already to get grouped is a big thing. So yeah.
SR 36:08
As I've seen, even on news, we actually have Indian news here. We get a watched Indian news, and many more, many of those interviews are saying that people are not really caring that much anymore. They're so fed up that they don't know, like, I don't care. So, and that's really what's put India in this situation.
JW 36:34
Yeah, they're just so they're just moving forward and saying, you know, screw the pandemic, screw inside, we just have to do our own thing and live our lives?
SR 36:42
Right. And that's what many people are saying, you know, many people, bro, like, I just want to be able to be free. Guys, back in my house. I don't want to be stuck in my house anymore.
JW 36:55
Yeah, I mean, I know, that was certainly a hard thing for us on lockdown, but it was not nearly as long as what they've had to go through.
SR 37:00
Right. And especially with the population that large, you know, on with? Not really, at least where I'm from. There's not really you know, there's cows everywhere. There's animals everywhere. There's just people everywhere. No matter where you go. It's crowded. Oh, so you can't avoid there. You can't avoid groups. And yeah, it's you're just even if you're walking down the street, it's still like, just the full people just crowds. You can try to social distance, but it's hard.
JW 37:35
Very hard, okay. Yeah, that's, that's really, really tough. I wouldn't know what to do in that situation, to be totally honest with you. I mean, here when I see you know, large groups like that there's always room or a place to go. I guess there's, there's not if it's all you know, if there's animals and people around every corner, you really can't avoid it. Can you-
SR 37:53
Right. Like, here, what, and let's take for me, from my neighborhood, I go down the street. I like right now. I see no one outside. But if I'm in India, I'll see like, 50 people 60 just in one area.
JWS 38:09
Wow. Okay, wow. Yeah. So, you really can't avoid it at all. That's really too bad. I mean, I I can certainly understand why that's definitely or why that why India is struggling with such a high population in such high density in their areas, too.
SR 38:27
Yeah, I feel I know, for me, personally, I blame the whole population part of it.
JW 38:33
Yeah. Yeah, I think
SR 38:36
Yeah, yeah. Go ahead.
JW 38:37
I was I was just gonna say, I was actually gonna ask if you could elaborate. I was gonna say having Yeah- would you, would you mind elaborating and you were going to so I'll let you do that.
SR 38:47
I was- you know, with the whole population, I feel like the government also isn't more actively responding to this. And for an India, private hospitals are the bigger are the biggest things. But they're, you know, there's a lot of lower income, people staying there. So, especially with lower income families, it's hard to go to those hospitals and get the help they need when they're effective. But then, you know, I feel like if the government can really control unlike and have more zones. So, let's say two families here got COVID Let's try to like, zone this area out and send people to check on everyone else. Yeah, but, but I don't see them doing that. You know, I don't hear about them doing it. It's more. Okay. They got COVID Oh, no. Okay. I don't know what to do.
JW 39:56
Yeah, well, that makes a lot of sense. I think. Yeah, definitely. more options to kind of reach out and try to help people. And it's unfortunate that it's not being done in an area that that is affected so heavily for sure.
SR 40:07
Right? You know, I'm seeing more this. It's all about the government. I feel like if the government's there to help, it's going to be you know, it's gonna be fine. Yeah, but I don't see that all I see is politicians trying to market themselves and, and run these elections and run these big gatherings? Yeah, there's a there's a gathering couple days ago, I saw image 1000s of people. Wow. No one's like, say out of 1000 people probably 20 are wearing a mask that's saying under, like, under their chin. Why have they have a mask over their ears? So I feel like the seriousness of the pandemic has not really taken place in India.
JW 41:01
No, that's fair. Well, I'm thinking, is there anything else kind of you want to add to that? Or are you kind of happy with that sharing?
SR 41:10
Think I’m good. Yeah.
JW 41:12
Okay. Well, I mean, well, thank you for your, your insight on the and both on the on the India part and on your own your own lifestyle as well. I think that that provides a number of viewpoints and I think yours, yours specifically is really useful because of- you know, your relatives and how closely related you are to that problem, too.
SR 41:31
Yeah, I hope I was able to answer all your questions properly.
JW 41:35
Oh, no, you certainly were on. After we're done here. I'll kind of just get you are you and I can just hop into a quick record. It's just like, I'll stop recording and then you and I can finish everything up. But we need to. So yeah. Really quickly. Oh, no. Okay, cool. I will pause the video in just a second. All right.