COVID-19 tales: ‘When no one wanted to play, I became opening batsman,’ says sanitation worker Manish Kumar

Manish Kumar hadn’t taken the matter of being vaccinated first too seriously, but now believes it’s a decision that makes him proud. Pic/Nishad Alam

First Person In India To Get Vaccinated

Manish Kumar, 35, Delhi
Sanitation worker, AIIMS, New Delhi

On the morning of January 16, several members of the hospital staff were sitting in the waiting room, and there was a general sense of apprehension. But I had already gone to work for a whole year in the midst of the pandemic and by the time the question of taking the vaccine arose, my mind was made up.

But people at home grew concerned when I told them about my decision. My mother asked me why I was determined to take it before the others. I have always been stubborn, so they knew they couldn't dissuade me.

Besides, I love playing cricket. I said, "imagine that Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were all going to bowl in a match and your batsmen were terrified to face them. Someone would have to step up and open those innings. Sure, he might get out, but at least those watching him would know what kind of deliveries they would have to face." So, I thought that when a process could start with me, why not. I am anyway an opener.

On that day, I went to my senior asking to be vaccinated first and he commended my bravery. What I hadn't expected though was the media attention that followed. It was as if I was suddenly a celebrity. I had to disguise myself to escape from crowds that day. To be honest, till that moment, I hadn't been too serious about the
whole thing.

Now when people have doubts about the vaccine, they call me. A friend's mother recently spoke to me when she was considering taking it. But everyone is built differently and their immunity levels are different too. I haven't had any reactions, though. I was on duty the day I got vaccinated and haven't taken any leave since.