We made this video because there was a lack of education around using home testing kits in Nepali language catered for our community. This was made during the initial phase of government policies providing free home testing kits around the second-third wave of COVID spike.
If you are showing COVID-19 Symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID, you can use the At Home Covid testing kit to check if you have it. If you do test positive for it or test negative and are still showing symptoms, please contact your health care provider!
We have also made an instruction manual in Nepali to provide information for Nepali-speaking people and work towards health literacy.
The professional development committee of NSS has been running a mentorship program that takes in mentees and pairs them with mentors who have professional experience in the related field. Our goal is to help our community members with growing their careers, hone professional skills, and plan their goals. This is a very good opportunity to talk to someone with many years of experience in your field of work. If you are interested, please visit the link below to register yourself while they are taking in new mentees.
Teej, also known as Haritalika Teej, is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal. Often occurring around August and September, this festival lasts for three days and is celebrated by women all over Nepal. This year,Haritalika Teej occurs on September 9th, 2021. Women dress in intricate red sarees, tika, chura– they sing and dance to folk music for days until the day of Teej itself. Traditionally, married women get invited by their ‘maiti ghar’, their maternal home to rest and feast. Due to this being a significant festival for Nepali Shivaites, hundreds of women gather at the Pashupatinath temple and other temples dedicated to Shiva and Parvati in order to pray on the day of the celebration.
Religious Significance and History
The main significance of this religious holiday is to pay homage and ask lord Shiva for special blessings on their marriage– including their husband’s long, healthy and good life.
Teej is dedicated to the union of Parvati and Shiva, who is considered to be the symbol of marriage. Parvati and Shiva by many Nepali Hindus are considered to be the ideal husband and wife. Legend has it that on the day of Haritalika Teej, Parvati is incarnated as Shailaputri, the manifestation of the goddess Durga, another highly venerated deity in Nepali Hinduism.
The Story behind the name “Hartalika Teej”
Hartalika is a combination of two words “harit” and “aalika”. Harit means “abduction”, and aalika means “female friend”.
As the story goes, Parvati made a Shiva lingam out of her hair and prayed to Shiva. This impressed Shiva and he married Parvati. In order for Parvati to be able to marry Shiva, her female friend ‘aalika’, had to abduct her ‘harit’. Therefore, this day is referred to as Hartalika Teej.
Dar Khane Din
The day before the second day of Teej, women are invited to their maternal home where they engage in a large feast called “Dar”. Women dance and feast and indulge in their merriment. Traditionally, men do not partake in the festivities, instead, they are the ones who host the feast for the women. Women do not do any work and chores during the day of dar, it is a day for them to dress up lavishly, embellish themselves, eat good food, and dance before the day of the fast. Along with jolly and happy music, women also sing and dance about their pains and the struggles of womanhood. This feast and celebration last until midnight, and then the fast begins.
The Day of Fast
On the second day of Teej, women fast. Some women do not eat or drink anything at all, whereas others allow fruit and water. Fasting is not strictly for married women, unmarried women also participate in the fast. Traditionally, it is believed that fasting shows their devotion and loyalties to God. They believe that Shiva will be pleased by his devotees and that their marriage will be blessed. Unmarried women fast with the hopes that they will be blessed with a good husband.
On this day, women visit Shiva mandirs dancing and singing on their way to pray and offer fruits, coins, flowers, etc. to Shiva and Parvati. Pashupati mandir annually records the highest number of devotees on this day. The oil lamp which gets lit during prayer should be lit all throughout the night. It is believed that this light will bring prosperity into the lives of their husband and family.
The Final Day
The last day of Teej is known as Rishi Panchami. On the final day of this three-day festival, women offer food, money and other supplies to seven saints. Traditionally, they bathe in red mud and brush their teeth with datiwan. This is believed to purify the soul and body. Women participate in ritual bathing and puja.
Teej Songs
One major and notable part of the Teej festival is the songs and music of choice. Traditionally, these songs were used to reiterate and emphasize the roles of Nepali women in traditional Hindu piety– subservient, submissive, and loyal to their husbands. These songs reinforced religious ideologies and gender norms. However, with the progression and rapid development of Nepali society, songs are now centered around women, feminism, their struggles, and critique about the condition of women in the country. Teej songs have emerged as a way to give voice to nepali women.
Our lives have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic started. In this video, we talked to our community members from different walks of life and listened to their struggles, fears, and hopes with the onset of the COVID-19 vaccines. We also talked to some health professionals about the effect of COVID-19 vaccines, how it affects us, and what we should do even after being vaccinated.
Namaste,
This past year has been hard, to say the least. We have been told to be cautious and to wear masks, keeping ourselves six feet away from people, and for a social community like ours, this has been even harder.
The pandemic has brought adversities such as unemployment, delay in education, loss of businesses, and for some of us the loss of our loved ones.
We have had to live in fear thinking about how we might contract the COVID-19 virus. The cloud of mixed emotions of frustration and uncertainty have made our lives difficult. Some of us have been severely affected by this pandemic and have contracted the COVID-19 virus. Yet, we as a community have stayed strong and have persevered.
We became hopeful again when we became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. For us, the vaccine has become our hope of survival, the hope of finally being with our loved ones, the hope of getting back to our businesses, and the happiness of resuming our somewhat normal lives.
Slowly, businesses have started to remove their “CLOSED” signs from their front door and schools are starting to reopen.
Most of us have been vaccinated now and we’ve noticed that things are starting to resume. Now, we have faith that things may get better.
Although the fear of getting the COVID-19 virus has subsided, we still must continue to take precautions. All of us are still not vaccinated. Therefore, we urge you to be proactive as prevention is better than cure! You are not alone in this and we are here to help you.
Together, we can be a healthy, thriving community.
If you or someone you know have any questions about the COVID-19 and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please contact us at [email protected]. We will reach out to our Nepali health professionals and try to get an answer to you at our best capacity.
Dhanyabaad, Health Committee, Nepal Seattle Society
To schedule your COVID-19 vaccine, please follow this link : https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ . So far, more than 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the state of Washington. We are in the right path to have a good percentage of vaccinated population which will help us get back to our normal lives soon.
When are you considered fully vaccinated ?
People are considered fully vaccinated ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) resumes use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine across the state. This decision is based on recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, as well as careful consideration and close review by DOH.
Facts and Myths about COVID-19 Vaccine
DOH has shared COVID-19 Vaccine facts as part of ongoing efforts to dispel rumors and provide factual information:
You should still get the vaccine even if you already had COVID-19.
The vaccine will not make you sick with COVID-19. There are three COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized for emergency use in the United States. None of them contain a live form of the virus that causes COVID-19.
It is normal to have side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common side effects are a sore arm, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. These usually last a day or two after you get the shot. Side effects are a sign that the vaccine is working.
There are no microchips or any other tracking devices in COVID-19 vaccines — or any others. Vaccines do not track people or collect any personal information. Any claims about microchips or tracking devices are simply myths from science fiction stories.
There are no home remedies that can prevent or cure COVID-19.
The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get the vaccine. You should also follow other coronavirus guidelines like washing your hands, wearing a mask, and staying away from others.
If you have COVID-19, talk to your provider about managing your symptoms. And stay home — except to get a test or medical care.
Please contact any Nepal Seattle Society volunteers or email us if you need help on COVID-19 vaccines and related issues. We will do our best to provide the most up to date info.
वाशिंगटन को स्वास्थ बिभागले जोनसन एंड जोनसनको खोप लगाउने रोक हटाएको जानकारी आएको छ। यो फैसला एफडिये (FDA), सीडीसी (CDC) र पास्छिम बैज्ञानिक सुरक्छ्या समिति (Western States Scientific Safety Review WorkGroup ), एवम वाशिंगटन स्वास्थ बिभाग मिलेर गरिएको हो।
यो एघार दिन को रोक छ जना बिरामीमा रगत जमेको अवस्था भेटिएको ले गर्दा राखिएको थियो। आज सुक्रबार सम्म मात्र पन्द्र वोटा एस्तो आवस्था भेटिएको छ। वाशिंगटन मा अहिले सम्म एस्तो घटना देखिएको छैन।अहिलेको तथ्यांक अनुसार एस्तो घटनाको सम्भावना धेरै नै कम छ। यदि तपाईले जोनसन एंड जोनसन को खोप लगाउनु भएको छ र तपाईलाइ टाउको दुख्ने , पेट दुख्ने , खुट्टा दुख्ने र सास फेर्न गारो भएको खण्ड मा नजिकै को स्वास्थ सेवामा सम्पर्क गर्नु होला।
अहिले सम्म ८० लाखमा मात्र १५ जनामा एस्तो समस्या देखिएको छ।
तसर्थ यदि तपाईले कोभीडको खोप लगाउनु भएको छैन भने छिटो भन्दा छिटो लगाऊन हामी आग्रह गर्दछौं।
एस बिसयमा अरु समाचारको लागि तल दिएको लिंकमा जानु होला।
सावधान ! के तपाई Johnson & Johnson (J & J ) को COVID खोप लगाउदै हुनुहुन्छ ? लगाउनु अगाडी यो महत्त्वपुर्ण समाचार थाहा पाउनु जरुरी छ। अहिलेको ताजा खबर अनुसार J & J को COVID खोप लगाउनु भएका केहि वेक्तीहरुमा समस्या देखिएको छ। तसर्थ , येदि हजुर अथवा हजुरले चिन्नु भएका कोहि व्यक्तिले यो खोप लगाउदै हुनुहुन्छ भने आफ्नो डाक्टर संग सल्लाह लिएर मात्र लगाउनु होला। येदि यो खोप लगाई सक्नु भएको खण्डमा, तपाईहरुमा पेट, टाउको अथवा खुट्टा दुखेको र सास फेर्न अफ्ठ्यारो भएमा नजिकैको स्वस्त चौकी जान अनुरोध गर्दछौ।
VACCINE ALERT! Recently, CDC and FDA have suggested to hold back in the use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine effective Tuesday, April 13. FDA will be reviewing and investigating these cases. Until then, people who have received the J&J,Janssen COVID-19 vaccine within the past three weeks who might have developed severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath should contact their health care provider immediately. For further information please refer to the link below : Johnson & JOHNSON’S Janssen Covid-19 Vaccine Information. (2021, March 11). Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/janssen/index.html
Namaste! We hope you all are safe and in good health during this pandemic. We would heartily like to wish you and your family a very Happy Nepali New Year 2078 B.S. May this new year bring happiness and good health to you and your loved ones.
On this note, we would like to urge you and your loved ones to check if you qualify for Covid vaccine and get vaccinated at your earliest convenience. This is another step to keep you, your family and community in a safer position. Once everyone is vaccinated, we can return back to our normal lives and celebrate our upcoming events together in-person. We will continue to provide you with all the services from our community as we grow.
We have collected some information to help you make informed decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination below :
Have You Been Fully Vaccinated? People are considered fully vaccinated only: – 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, – or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.
If You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated, You Can — Visit inside a home or private setting without a mask with other fully vaccinated people of any age — Visit inside a home or private setting without a mask with one household of unvaccinated people who are not at risk for severe illness — Travel domestically without a pre- or post-travel testTravel domestically without quarantining after travel — Travel internationally without a pre-travel test depending on destination — Travel internationally without quarantining after travel
You Shouldn’t — Visit indoors, without a mask, with people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 — Attend medium or large gatherings
