The second wave of the Coronavirus crisis has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system, resulting in an unprecedented loss of lives. And actor Jacqueline Fernandez admits it has been very difficult to process everything that’s happening around.

“This phase of the pandemic has been heartbreaking just to see and live through on a daily basis. For me, the most heartbreaking thing was to see the way people were dying because of lack of oxygen. That’s something which we all took for granted, and we all thought we had enough of,” she laments, adding, “Also, [people] are not being able to afford certain things like hospital beds, ventilators, medicines, oxygen… it’s a basic right to get healthcare.”

While the cases have started to drop now, the situation remains grim. Amid all this, Fernandez, 35, has been trying to do her bit in helping people. She provided free meals to people in need and helped Mumbai Police personnel with raincoats and other safety gear.

“Feeding people during the pandemic was an extremely humbling experience. But, it was also a huge eye opener that made me understand the need of the hour, and how important it is for each one of us to come forward and help in whenever way we can. There are people out there who don’t have food to eat and that’s a basic necessity for survival. If we can make a difference in that aspect, we are actually saving a life,” she says, asserting that even if the help is in a small way, “everything adds up, everything matters”.

Lauding her fellow actors who have stepped up and helped people through social media, Fernandez feels what many are doing this year is rather exemplary and “inspiring”.

“Last year, the pandemic came as a shock to everyone and people were still very unaware about what to do and how to go about it in making themselves useful. Compared to that, this year has been a step forward,” says the actor, glad to see how unifying the whole situation has been.

“Everyone is trying to do their best and make a difference. It has definitely been very inspiring to see what some people are doing,” she adds.

Fernandez further appeals to people that it is not just about monetary donations, and one can pitch in by acts of kindness as well. She says, “Help people in your building or society, take care of strays — all these things are just as important. I think everyone should feel responsible.”