I live in India AMA

[IndiaAMA]

Hello. Name changed for this. I’ve seen a number of threads about the Indian variant including lots of speculation about lifestyles in India, some of which is quite incorrect! So thought I’d do an AMA.

I am a British woman who lives and works her with my spouse.

AMA!

@NightCzar

Thanks so much for those suggestions. I really appreciate it.

My second question about would you try to escape - was not meant to sound snide. I'd be very tempted, myself.

Take care.

Understood, and I didn’t mean to reply abruptly. I have Australian and American friends who have left, and British friends who want to (but are put off by the cost of mandatory quarantine under red listing). It’s definitely a valid choice for those who are scared. My medical condition means it’s probably better I stay here, but it is a fine balance that my husband and I are reconsidering weekly.

I don’t have a question, I am a nurse and have seen first hand how hard the pandemic hit my colleagues. We are thinking of our Indian colleagues and how desperate they must feel. I will donate to one of the charities you mentioned, thank you for recommending them.

Thanks @BabbleBee and all sending best wishes

I cannot imagine the pressure healthcare workers are under here. The reporting outside hospitals is just horrific. No beds, no oxygen, no space. Awful.

You mentioned people with money can pay for the vaccines. I didnt think paying was possible, anywhere. I must be so niave. Can you not pay for your staff to be vaccinated?

@ssd

You mentioned people with money can pay for the vaccines. I didnt think paying was possible, anywhere. I must be so niave. Can you not pay for your staff to be vaccinated?

It isn't that simple, @ssd. My nephews have been trying to book (we are paying) but there are not enough vaccines available, even if you pay privately.

Thank you for answering. What are you being charged for the vaccine?

@ssd

Thank you for answering. What are you being charged for the vaccine?

I don't know exactly what they will have to pay when they finally manage to book - the charges do not appear to be excessive, but they are certainly more than the £3 it costs to produce the AZ drug. One nephew has lost his job and two of the others have had to close their small businesses, so we are sending money for general living costs as well as just the vaccines. The situation is pretty dire for those who cannot wfh.

The jabs are available for less in the government hospitals if you are lucky enough to get one. The main problem affecting government and private hospitals seems to be supply.

That sounds dire. Im so sorry. Wishing you and your family all the best

Thanks @ssd.

Standard cost for the vaccine at most hospitals and clinics is 250 rupees - so about £3.

Worth noting that some manual workers - for example, female raw sewage workers - can be paid only 10 rupees a day. So 250 is not as cheap as it seems to many. Hundreds of millions in India still live on less than £1 a day.

And yes @paralysedbyinertia exactly right - supply is the huge problem now. India shipped out too many of its own vaccines. The vaccine drives in cities are going very well, with some hospitals operating 24 hour provision of vaccinations. But it isn’t getting to all cities nor to villages.

On vaccine price too: the government is trying to keep down the price of vaccines and of testing. For a while it was a free for all of people charging whatever they liked. That has been clamped down on to an extent.

@IndiaAMA

On vaccine price too: the government is trying to keep down the price of vaccines and of testing. For a while it was a free for all of people charging whatever they liked. That has been clamped down on to an extent.

Ah, ok, that's good - my info might be out of date then. My nephews were saying that, depending on the hospital, it was more like 600-900 rupees. Which doesn't sound much, but it's not insignificant to them.

How many staff do you have ?

But it isn’t getting to all cities nor to villages.

As always in India...the smaller towns and cities are left behind. We have friends in Delhi, Gurgaon and Chandigarh, and the situation is worrying for them, but I'm much more worried for family in rural areas now that the virus seems to be spreading to the villages. It's very hard to get vaccinated in these places.

@Raxer26A

How many staff do you have ?

Two - a driver and a housekeeper who mostly cleans, shops and sometimes cooks for us. This is fairly standard in expat circles and among middle class Indian families.

@paralysedbyinertia all the very best to your family. Unfortunately I’m sure price gouging of vaccines and a black market of oxygen still exist despite concerted government efforts to prevent both. And you’re right - £10 doesn’t seem like much for a vaccine but if it’s for your whole family and monthly wage is a couple of hundred pounds, that’s definitely not inconsiderable.

Thanks OP. I hope that your, your DH, your staff and colleagues all stay safe too.

Ah - I see the AMA forum also means no one sees this. Shame, as there seemed to be interest!

This is a fascinating thread op. I don't have anything to ask, but finding your answers to other people's questions interesting.
The situation is so terrible, thinking of all of India.

No useful question but shameless bump in case anyone else does- very interesting read!

Is it true it's affecting children more than previous variants? That must be frightening.

How long have you lived in India? Is living there like how you imagined/expected it to be? I really love the idea of living in India (not at the moment...) having spent a couple of months there.
Hope you and your partner stay healthy and safe.