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Surviving a Pandemic!
Surviving a Pandemic!
27th January, 2020! I still remember the day when we for the first time started discussing about the Coronavirus. We were returning from one of my cousin’s wedding reception and generally started talking about how the virus has caused a havoc in China. We spoke about the Chinese markets, their eating habits, the Chinese trade, the communism but did not even feel to touch upon the topic of the virus becoming a Pandemic and what would happen if the virus reaches India. The thought of the lockdown was hence too far-fetched.
India is currently under 21 days lockdown. I am in self-quarantine since the 17th of March much before the PM announced the lockdown. Its Day 22 today. And let me tell you it’s not easy. And that’s what my story is about. Surviving a Pandemic!
We Indians are social animals. All festivals in India are celebrated with much enthusiasm and with family and friends. Therefore, the concept of “social distancing” seemed too alien to us. We don’t quite understand what distancing means because we love to gather everywhere. Be it at weddings, at naming ceremonies, for birthdays, for festivals or just a get together. Afterall, the wide variety of festivals celebrated in India is a true manifestation of our rich culture and traditions. This is where the first issue of the Lockdown comes – being away from friends and family in spite of being in the same city and within a 5 km radius. Thanks to video calls – it has helped us maintain some sanity. But nothing can match up meeting is person, right?
Another thing, we are used to – House Helps! Yes, our cooks and maids who make our life easier everyday. Our current routine is somewhat like this – Cooking, cleaning, working – Repeat! Squeezing in our household chores between 2 office calls. Dusting the furniture during a call, cooking decisions for the next day with whatever available ingredients. We all are surely multitasking. An advantage of this Pandemic is that I am getting better with my cooking skills and I am sure you are too. We all will surely come out of this stronger. But let’s not forget to express our gratitude to our house helps for rendering their support to us for the smooth functioning of our busy lives. We owe this to them!
Stepping out for grocery shopping now feels like going on a war front. Wearing a mask, washing your hands, making sure not touching the other person, applying a sanitizer on the goods once you get them home. It’s a constant struggle. Long gone are those days where we would leisurely walk in the by lanes of our supermarkets. Now all we do is splash and dash! It’s however sad to see that people are still panic buying – we need to be mindful of the fact that there could be someone out there who will require the essential more than us but won’t get it because of our hoarding. If we are all together during festivals – we should be together in this too!
I have never seen Mumbai this quiet. Being the 90’s kid, I only remember a quiet Mumbai on Sundays. Mahabharat on Doordarshan! What days, when again families came together to watch this Indian Historical. But today is different. The streets are empty without cars, the malls & fitness centres are closed, the trains and buses are at a halt and everyone is home doing their bit to fight against the virus. Have you thought about the positive part related to this? The nature is healing. We all are waking up to the birds chirping, a bright blue sky and trees which look greener with flowers blossoming all over. We humans for rejuvenation take vacations, right? We feel like being in the lap of nature. Let’s just say that the nature is rejuvenating itself now. It was high time we did this for Earth!
Panic and uncertainty/anxiety are two emotional enemies currently. We all have a lot of questions. What will I do if I get COVID – 19? What about my grandparents? When will this all end? Even after the lockdown is lifted, will I be safe? When can I go out? What about my job? Don’t let panic kick in. Let us all take in “One day at a time”. This will help all of us to start making the most of the moment we are currently in. We will long for this quality time with family once all this over. So why not take small steps towards this, day by day?
Maintaining a positive approach and setting small individual goals during this time will help all of us sail through this. Take up that hobby, take online yoga sessions, let your body heal and most importantly give yourself the me-time which you deserved. Read that 2000 pages book which you thought you could never finish. Why don’t we all consider these 21 days for self -are, self-healing and quality family time. We got this! I can already imagine myself, 30 years down the line telling my grandchildren – we survived a Pandemic, by staying home!
Stay Safe!
