India is facing an overwhelming COVID-19 surge. Cases continue to rise, with record cases reported daily. Among a decline in cases in February, the government loosened restrictions, so we were all caught off-guard. The country's healthcare system is collapsing, with supplies running low/out, and more and more deaths reported daily. Many of us have family and friends suffering. Along with friend-of-the-Pod (and fellow Desi), we process our thoughts not just on India, but how we need to remain vigilant, and thoughtful about the pandemic around us. We are not out of the woods, by any stretch or measure. Even with the terrible situation in India, this pandemic is so much bigger. Smarter people are talking about what this means for all of us - so you should go read and listen to what they're saying. Here's a quick summary: https://mobile.twitter.com/DrTomFrieden/status/1388172436999376899 Beyond just getting your vaccine as soon as you can - we need to get still WEAR MASKS, avoid crowds, maintain social distance, and make smart decisions - not just for yourself, but those around us. With India, we are seeing the worst that can happen unfold on the other side of the world. HELP INDIA: While countries around the globe are sending aid to India, here are a few places YOU can help (list via NY Mag): Making the Difference is helping provide medical supplies for public hospitals and nursing homes in Mumbai as well as grocery and ration kits to daily wage earners. https://www.donatekart.com/MTD/Save-Patients/ Rapid Response, India’s premier disaster-response and preparedness service, is seeking donations to provide dry food goods such as rice, dal, salt, and sugar to families across India. https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/donate-dry-ration-to-families-struggling-with-hunger-in-covid-second-wave?utm_source=MutualAidIndia Breathe India, a fundraiser led by Indian Institutes of Technology alumni in conjunction with the SaveLife Foundation, is seeking donations to procure effective distribution of oxygen concentrators to hospitals in Delhi. Lack of supplemental oxygen is currently a massive problem amid the COVID surge in India. https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-arrange-oxygen-concentrators-in-delhi Seva Kitchen, a nonprofit in Nagpur, is seeking donations to provide meal kits for marginalized communities. https://www.donatekart.com/seva_kitchen/Help-seva-kitchen/?utm_source=MutualAidIndia Transgender Welfare Equity and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) has been creating and funding shelter homes for trans people in Delhi during the pandemic. https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-shelter-for-transgender-persons-in-mumbai Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF), a children’s rights organization based in India, is collecting donations to help children in poverty-stricken communities with access to meals and education. https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/kscf-for-covid-19-relief HelpNow is an initiative led by young students in Mumbai to provide quick, 24/7 medical transportation. It is currently seeking donations to ensure adequate supplies and compensate its drivers. https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/getHelpNow Give India, a crowdfunding nonprofit platform created to support India throughout the pandemic, is currently running fundraising campaigns for oxygen supply, food shortages, and women’s reproductive health amid the pandemic. https://covid.giveindia.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices