The lifestyle of Saudis has drastically changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Although the Saudi society has adapted to the precautionary measures, the advent of Islam’s holy fasting month of Ramadan this year is devoid of some of its main characteristics like family gatherings.
This Ramadan, wives and mothers tested positive for COVID-19 were unable to carry out preparations at home, such as putting up decorations and preparing meals for the family. Instead, they are in quarantine and can be reached only virtually.
Riham, 31, did not know that her trip to Europe will change the course of her life and move her residence from her home in Saudi Arabia to one of Jeddah’s hotels for more than 40 days.
Since she returned in mid-march, she has only had one wish and it is to return to her family.
“I arrived in Jeddah from Courchevel on March 15, and I did not feel any symptoms at the time. In the interest of my mother and father, my friend and I went immediately to a hotel in Jeddah to stay there for 14 days, following precautionary measures to ensure that we did not suffer from the virus,” Riham told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“During this period we did a COVID-19 test,” she added.
“My friend’s result came in first and she was cleared from having the virus. This made me think that I too was in the clear, so I returned home two days before my test results came out.”
Later on, Riham received a dreadful call telling her that she tested positive for the virus.
“They asked me for the names of people I was in contact with. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, because after heeding all preventative measures and quarantining myself for 14 days I still posed a risk for my family unintentionally,” she said.
At first, Riham did not feel any of the symptoms such as fever and severe cough. All she experienced was a headache and a mild cough. With time, her condition worsened but she is still waiting to heal under the proper medical attention she is receiving.
All that Riham wants is to spend whatever is left of Ramadan with her family.
