Ishqbaaz fame Shrenu Parikh home quarantined after returning from US: I am in isolation mode and went through anxiety initially

Ishqbaaz actress Shrenu Parikh recently returned to India from the United States of America when the coronavirus outbreak happened. The actress, who was initially in a dilemma about returning to India was advised by family and friends to travel back. Shrenu is currently in quarantine period of 14 days at her Mumbai house and has already completed 10 days with no symptoms. In an exclusive chat with the TimesofIndia.com, the Sarvagunn Sampanna actress talked about the quarantine period and praised the Government for the commendable job that they are doing. Shrenu also spoke about mental health and lashed out at ppeople who were roaming on the streets during the Janta Curfew. By: Vjiaya Tiwari

I returned on 15th March so if we count day wise, I have spent 10 days in isolation so far. Initially, I was thinking if everything goes fine I would return to my home in Gujarat after completing the 14 days quarantine period. But now with most of the cities under lockdown, I don't think it is possible. I don't know what is going to happen as the flights are not working. Now, with borders being closed, I don't know what I will do.

But at the same time I feel there is a lack of compassion for people who have travelled out of the country during this period. It is really sad, I just read somewhere that few doctors were asked to vacate their homes by society. I mean how can people behave like this, they are the same people who are going to help when you will fall sick. You can't treat them like that especially when they are risking their lives for us. It is a sad state. We need to be very careful but at the same time we need to be a little compassionate towards people who are being nice. It is very cruel. I don't think being a little kind would harm anyone.

I really have to commend the government for whatever steps they have taken so far and for the work they are doing. With a country of more than 1.3 billion population, to manage everything is difficult and we have to admit it, but they are still keeping track of it. Even the airport authorities, they made sure we are checked and followed the process. People who travelled from Europe were taken to the secondary test. I feel it is quite well organised. I just hope that we win this war and everyone is taking so much effort. Even the BMC people, they call me everyday to ask me how am I and what are my symptoms. When they even came to stamp me, they shared that they are running from pillar to post everyday just to make sure that the virus is curbed. It is really commendable and I feel they are doing the right thing. This is only going to help us.

It is very unfortunate how the entire exercise of home clapping and appreciating doctors, nurses, police turned out. It was very shameful whatever happened. Yes, of course at this point of time the country needs encouragement, our warriors need encouragement to continue doing good work but that doesn't mean you start roaming around on the streets as if we have won a World Cup. Our honourable PM asked us to appreciate the work of these people by staying indoors at home. What is the point of a curfew, if you are going out celebrating it in crowds. These idiots actually ruined the entire purpose and exercise behind doing it. They are not taking it seriously, and the same thing happened in Italy. I would like to urge people to please do not have a selective listening or understanding from your point of view. They were on the roads celebrating, it was disheartening to see. That's where I feel sad that the Government is being so prompt about everything but we are behaving as idiots. We have people with different understandings and they need to understand the magnitude of the problem.

To tell you honestly, I wanted to stay back but my brother works with an airlines and he informed me when the flights started getting cancelled one after the other in the states. He kept updating me and I was confused. Then everyone suggested me to return to India before the borders get locked. Then my brother and I booked the tickets and came back. My brother came later and he went to my parents house and even he is living an isolated life in my Gujarat house. He stays on a different floor. We were really careful about everything. Even his quarantine period is about to get over so far no symptoms touchwood. I would request people who have not travelled also please stay at home only that way we can break the chain.

They are very worried about me and I had planned to return, things were not this bad. But things have changed in multiple fold in the last few days. Now, the entire country is under lockdown. They are worried but they are relieved that I am safe and sound in my building. They want me to come back, but I don't want to put anyone at risk.

You always keep saying I wish I had some time off for myself. In my case it is not an empty mind, it is a mind full of panic, anxiety as to what will happen next. I called up my mom saying mom I woke up with a sore throat and I would panic. She kept talking to me and saying nothing will happen and not think negative. She kept telling me to relax and it could also be because of being jetlagged. In fact, I kept getting calls from my society people who enquire about my health. One day a lady called me and I had just gotten up. I had slept late so had a kharash and she panicked. Oh my God are you fine, what are your symptoms and I just told her relax, I am not dying. Like, I just want to tell people that if I am sitting at home, I am not going to give you an infection. I am not just sitting at home but was also counting days and seeing if the symptoms are not kicked-in yet. Yes, you get very frustrated so I tend to go on social media. But then I realised that social media is a more scarier place. I was so sensitive with all of that, I took it out on fans as I thought they were taking a dig at me. I was going through so much because of the behaviour of a few people around me, neighbours, society and I was facing it from everywhere. That's the kind of panic situation I was in and even though they did not mean it, I took it upon myself. I was in my self isolation mode and was going through a lot of anxiety as to what will happen to me. I slowly steadily realised that I need to cut off from social media for a few days and need to divert my mind. I just posted something on social media, yesterday and today. Social media can also be unnerving at times. This was my condition in the beginning in the initial 4/5 days.