MUMBAI: The covid-19 outbreak has left us in a state of anxiety, and every country is battling this pandemic. And while the government is making efforts to curb this outbreak, several celebrities have also come forward to extend help in this crisis. Amid these, television actor Ashish Gokhale, who is also a doctor by profession, has also been on covid-19 duty these days and is serving, treating, and counselling patients during the lockdown.

While the Kumkum Bhagya actor is already winning hearts with his noble gesture, Ashish shared his experience of serving patients, the reality check about the anxiety among the patients, and how he is missing shooting. In fact, the actor also asserted that he has been using his acting skills to entertain the patients during the counselling sessions as it gives them a ray of hope in this crucial situation.

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Here are excerpts.

It’s been 54 days you are at the hospital. How does it feel? Is it tiring?

Yes, it's been 2 months now. Things have been pretty challenging, but that challenge has been accepted and we are sure to win this war against virus. Yes, it is tiring. We do get exhausted sometimes. But then suddenly I am filled with this amazing energy and get back to work immediately with new zest and strength to serve my patients.

How are patients reacting now?

Patients are too worried right now. They are afraid and confused as well. Actually, many people aren't yet properly aware of the symptoms of corona. And so, it's very disturbing painful and shocking for them when they are tested positive for COVID 19. Also, there is a lot of load on us as there is an increase in the number of patients suffering from various other things like anxiety, depression, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, etc.

You have also cured covid 19 patients. Tell us something about the experience?

Yes, I have seen and treated Coronavirus patients. They are getting healed. They are responding well to the medicines given to them. Many of the patients have been recovered from covid 19 by now. The virus won't affect much, especially younger people. However, patients who are on dialysis, or those who are suffering from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney, or any other major diseases are taking a bit more time to recover, but gradually they are recovering as well. In allopathy, we have to give symptomatic and prophylactic treatment as there aren't any other treatments or vaccines. In homoeopathy, there are good preventive medicines for Coronavirus and people are getting some really good results from them. And even allopathy medicines are giving good results.

What are the precautions you take while handling these cases?

I am taking a lot of precautions like wearing a new PPE kit every day, even if I am working three different shifts continuously then also changing PPE kit after every 8 hours also using face shield and double face mask. I also use double hand gloves. I wear the latex and nitrile ones first and then examination gloves on top of it and change the examination gloves after seeing every individual patient. Even if I am changing my gloves, I make sure to sanitize my hands before treating every patient. All the metallic biomedical instruments are being sanitized and fumigated regularly. The area surrounding the patient's beds are being fumigated and sanitized regularly. So, all the necessary precautions are being taken.

You might be missing acting. How are you managing that part?

Yes. I am totally missing acting. It can't be expressed in words; I am missing it so much. But many times, even during patients' counselling, I have to act to give them hope. I just want them to be mentally strong. So sometimes to convey this to them, I have to act. But I do miss acting very much. That environment on the set, all the fun, those sips of tea on sets, the entire family vibe. It's totally different, out of the world feeling to be on set and I am missing that too very much.

Which shoots are pending? How do you think acting, films, and TV will change now?

Yeah, I was doing a web film. Its shoot was about to commence but it came to a halt. I was also doing a TV show, that's also on a standstill as of now. I was out, at Lonavala for an ad shoot, but had to return immediately due to this Coronavirus outbreak. That too will be completed once everything gets back to normal. There won't be any change in acting or actors. Also, there won't be any drastic changes in film and TV shoots. I think, slowly and steadily, we will get back to routine, once everything starts normally again. Yeah, but we will have to take certain precautions on set like maintaining physical distancing, thermal scanning, use of sanitizers. And I know for sure that all of us in this industry are very clever, so they will take care of it and make things work really well. I have an immense trust that once the shoot starts everyone will follow all the rules strictly and faithfully. Everyone right from our spot dadas, to actors, directors, camera team, make-up dada's, light department, set department, other technicians, and producers, everyone will be obeying the rules and work really well. Everyone is creative and now everyone is really eagerly waiting to get back to work. So, everyone will maintain physical distancing and abide by the rules so that they continue to work like before. I hope everything will be back to normal like before and there won't be any major changes in the industry. We will continue to entertain our audiences through mediums of films, web series and television like always.

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Credits: Pinkvilla