'People give me curious look': Kerala local body polls candidate Corona Thomas causes stir

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, word ‘corona’ has been reason behind months-long unrest, panic and distress except in a south Kerala town where Corona Thomas is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in Kollam Corporation’s Mathilil ward. 24-year-old woman has been causing a stir just by her name and even said that “everyone remembers me” especially during her campaigning for local body elections that are due next month. 

While world is rocked with coronavirus outbreak, Corona Thomas goes around campaigning in houses while wearing masks, gloves and offering hand sanitizers to greet voters. As per PTI report, 24-year-old is very particular of incorporating social distancing as a part of battle against COVID-19 pandemic. She has confessed of her name causing embarrassment in initial days of global health crisis, however, w it has become a sign of a blessing during elections. 

“Because of my name, everyone recognises and remembers me during campaign. Wherever I go, people call my name with amusement. I hope this name will help voters to remember me on election day and make m cast votes in my favour,” Corona told PTI.

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Corona Thomas was named by her far

Corona Thomas also talked about how she and her twin bror got rare names from her far, Thomas Francis who had never thought that one day it would be same as a highly infectious viral disease that caused entire world to remain alert. Since vel coronavirus was discovered in China in late 2019, COVID-19 has infected millions of people across globe and researchers have t yet derived a vaccine.

As per reports, Francis had picked name Corona for his daughter that means ‘halo’ and son Coral. While recalling experience related to her name, 24-year-old said even during school days, name used to cause her embarrassments with most friends asking her about peculiar name. 

"It also earned me many nicknames during school time. But things got serious when virus spread worldwide. Slogans like ''Go Corona'' and ''Kill Corona'' really irritated me in beginning," she said.

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Corona Thomas contracted COVID-19

Corona Thomas contracted COVID-19 while she was pregnant with due date being just a few days away. As per reports, she hesitatingly revealed her name to doctors who n joked about finally finding ‘corona’. Fortunately, both she and her child successfully battled infection but reportedly post-COVID-19 sickness is still causing her some uncomfort such as heaviness in chest and breathing problems. 

Corona’s husband, Jinu is an active BJP member that helped to tackle pandemic in state. Her unique name is hoped to get some votes even as she was confident about victory. Even though couple is grateful for publicity, Jinu had one complaint that “n-stop talk with journalists takes lion's share of her time and we are finding it hard to get time for campaigning.”

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