During this pandemic of COVID19, the phrase ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ has taken on a whole new meaning. There are people who are at home, staying with their families and yet cribbing about the lockdown
whereas on the other hand the frontline warriors are struggling to get a glance of their loved ones even after putting in days of work of work at a stretch!
Over the past weeks, NEWS is replete of stories of frontline warriors, the sacrifices they are making and their efforts to prevent the escalation of the virus. Doctors, nurses, law enforcement personnel, Municipal cleaning
karamacharis, guards at the airports and transportation facilities, vegetable and grocery vendors and so many others; all of them are getting out of their safe zones, their houses to work and make the environment better for
us. And while doing so all that they expect is their family and their loved ones to understand.
But many times the families harbor dissatisfaction for them because they believe they are putting their work over the family. They have to go through agonizing heartbreaks. And even if the people around them are supportive, it
is hardly possible for them to see their family for days together.  
They have chosen to be out on the roads, in contact with the patients infected with the virus in an attempt to contain it and cure it, or to check whether every single person is safe, at the risk of their own health by keeping all
their personal problem as well as life away. Here are a few examples of the struggles faced by frontline warriors every day and how they can overcome those problems.  
 
i) Going home and fearing the spread of the virus: There is a strong possibility that you might be worried about being a carrier of illness. This might also make you think it is better for you to stay away from home so that you keep your family safe. But in such cases, it is possible for the family members to feel neglected which might create unnecessary discord even.
- To counterbalance this circumstance, you can follow all the safety protocols for your own health before meeting a family member. Even when you do so, try to follow a few guidelines about social distancing. This way you can even be home whenever possible by keeping your fear under check.
 
ii) Children missing parents: There are high chances that both the parents might be working to prevent the spread of the virus as a frontline worker or looking after the management outside the house to make sure things are
running as smooth as possible. In such situations, children might feel isolated and lonely staying alone at home. Even if the grandparents or house help is there to support them, they find comfort with a parent only.
- If you have to stay away the whole day, try and work the schedules in such a way that either of the parents is at home. Sanitize yourself thoroughly before making any contact with the children and if that still seems risky make
sure you make your children know the importance of social distancing at home.
- Use social media to keep in touch: Make sure you keep calling your children or even better, video call them for 3-5 minutes whenever possible. This way you would be available for them and it might help compensate your absence at home.

Instill in older children the sense of pride and responsibility towards your job so that instead of missing you they can support you.

 

 
iii) Stuck at work and a family member gets unwell: Staying healthy is the need of the moment. In this situation if someone from the family gets unwell there is a strong possibility that others might get infected too or that person might be abandoned by others in order to contain the illness.
When you as a frontline warrior are away helping others there are chances that your own family members will blame you for being the carrier of any kind of illness. Moreover, it might become difficult for others to trust you
even. In such cases, you need to be clear about the precautions with your family.
- Accepting reality and working towards making things better together is a way to resolve the discord. You can keep calling and keep checking on everyone at home.
- Bring whatever is needed for the house whenever you get the opportunity to do so by maintaining social distance even at home. This way incidents occurring from negligence can be lowered.  
-If you can’t attend to the ill family member, ensure they get the attention needed by asking a friend/neighbor or a colleague to pitch in on your behalf…take the person to  the doctor, get the  medicines etc.

iv)  The family might feel burdened: When everyone has been praising you for your hard work and support, there is a great probability that the family members might start feeling ignored or burdened. They might get worried about you, your health and keep calling you for and about the smallest things. If their worries aren’t abated they might even start feeling anxious. 
- If your family is supportive it would help if you share your work cases with them and the way you are trying to maintain and follow safety precautions.
- Try to give them a heads up whenever you have a doubt about something, keep them involved in the schedule that you adhere to. They might feel like they are helping you and this may reduce the feeling of being burdened.