A Pandemic that changed the whole world
It was in early December of 2019, when one fine morning I read in the morning paper about a virus outbreak in China. I didn't pay much attention to it than the title and moved on to the rest of the columns. As days passed by, the virus news was here and there but not until early February 2020 when Italy, the first country outside of China was crippled because of the virus outbreak. It was not very late before it spread to the first world nations and in my home country, the Prime Minister implemented a mandatory 21 days lock down besides measures on closing borders, restricted movement within states. Never in the history of mankind, has the world faced such a situation with drastic measures implemented that impacted the stock market, the economy, to put it simply, any profession under the sky except for medical care. I don't recall a single instance of air, road, rail- all modes of transport being shut down. The worst impacted hence were the daily wage laborers and the middle class. There is an unrest and a fear of what next with many worrying about what will survive. While the % of deceased vis a vis the impacted population is not alarming, the challenge still remains on not having found a cure and the only possible solution to contain the virus being 'Social distancing'.
In a country with the second largest population in the world, ruled by a Democratic Government and a nation which has illiteracy as the major challenge, implementing the lock down is something beyond imagination. The scenario's unfolding are worth many a Hollywood sci-fi movie genre. While there are still a certain educated population who are challenging the social distancing and are only making a fool of themselves, there are these unsung heroes who are readily there in every corner. Since the lock down, many of the population have stopped their maids and house helps but thankfully many remembered their bread and butter is from these wages and have ensured to pay. Many have paid the Ironwala, the Dhobi, the newspaper guy without taking their services. I paused for a minute (luxury of time in hand now to pause more than a minute) and wondered if the society had been so thankful for all of their services rendered earlier baring few of us who always treated them well. It is now that households are realizing the importance of a maid, that newspaper delivery boy, the Dhobi and all the house helps who ensured our homes ran smooth!
The other good thing of the lock down is the forced family time in many house holds which is again something new. A father-daughter time that was lost during the many daily hustle, A brother-sister bonding lost because of the before,after, during school work, The daughters/ sons and even the husband/wife finally understanding what is the work a home maker does in a given day, Ah- those many wonders! I read recently that the University of Florida is now finally able to do its research study on Boredom!! I know many of my friends who are back to their hobbies, doing those piled up To-do lists (one of mine being to blog finally) and more importantly- doing what they like to do surrounded by their loved ones.
I pity those who are mocking the government, and trying to play politics even during these trying times. Hate mongering is not what we need now. Also, it's not time to pass those forwards without due validation and create more panic. While this sure is a phase of uncertainty, confusion and chaos, its time for us to appreciate that we are after all human beings who have the resilience to overcome all odds and become our own heroes. Until then, let's continue this precious time of bonding, discover things, do things that helps the society and more importantly- be home and be safe for the benefit of the larger society.
This too shall pass..
Vive!
Me Myself :)
In a country with the second largest population in the world, ruled by a Democratic Government and a nation which has illiteracy as the major challenge, implementing the lock down is something beyond imagination. The scenario's unfolding are worth many a Hollywood sci-fi movie genre. While there are still a certain educated population who are challenging the social distancing and are only making a fool of themselves, there are these unsung heroes who are readily there in every corner. Since the lock down, many of the population have stopped their maids and house helps but thankfully many remembered their bread and butter is from these wages and have ensured to pay. Many have paid the Ironwala, the Dhobi, the newspaper guy without taking their services. I paused for a minute (luxury of time in hand now to pause more than a minute) and wondered if the society had been so thankful for all of their services rendered earlier baring few of us who always treated them well. It is now that households are realizing the importance of a maid, that newspaper delivery boy, the Dhobi and all the house helps who ensured our homes ran smooth!
The other good thing of the lock down is the forced family time in many house holds which is again something new. A father-daughter time that was lost during the many daily hustle, A brother-sister bonding lost because of the before,after, during school work, The daughters/ sons and even the husband/wife finally understanding what is the work a home maker does in a given day, Ah- those many wonders! I read recently that the University of Florida is now finally able to do its research study on Boredom!! I know many of my friends who are back to their hobbies, doing those piled up To-do lists (one of mine being to blog finally) and more importantly- doing what they like to do surrounded by their loved ones.
I pity those who are mocking the government, and trying to play politics even during these trying times. Hate mongering is not what we need now. Also, it's not time to pass those forwards without due validation and create more panic. While this sure is a phase of uncertainty, confusion and chaos, its time for us to appreciate that we are after all human beings who have the resilience to overcome all odds and become our own heroes. Until then, let's continue this precious time of bonding, discover things, do things that helps the society and more importantly- be home and be safe for the benefit of the larger society.
This too shall pass..
Vive!
Me Myself :)
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