During the lockdown, life of people around the world went in for a toss. But while the pandemic and staying indoors have negatively affected many people, there are numerous others who have tried to use this time productively.
Illustration by Joaquin Gonzalez Dorao
Original article published in Touriosity, July 2020 issue
Nature is healing
“The sky is a more beautiful shade of blue, with cloud formations in the most exquisite pattern ever. The birds are chirping louder and more gleefully than ever before.”
The sky is a more beautiful shade of blue, with cloud formations in the most exquisite pattern ever. The birds are chirping louder and more gleefully than ever before. Sometime back some news channels even claimed that endangered animals are now freely roaming on the highways and were also spotted in residential apartments. Pollution level has drastically dropped and vision is clearer too. Yet, if someone is not happy, it’s us, the humans. We are in shackles everywhere in the world today. The reason behind all these ‘positives’ around and the ‘negatives’ in our personal lives is but the same. A tiny virus that bare eyes cannot see, invaded our lives a few months back. The government actions to curb the pandemic that followed drove us indoors. And we have been locked in for almost 4 months, at least so in India.
But future is uncertain
There is no denying the fact that the future is pretty much uncertain now. While we do try to stay positive about a better world ahead of us, there are unending questions in our minds. Will the pandemic be over soon? Will it resurge? What will happen to the economy? Will I lose my job? Will my dear ones and I stay safe? Business owners have other worries: When can I resume operations? Will customers and suppliers continue to support me? Can I retain my employees? Can I pay their salaries? Will everything be the same as before? And for travel enthusiasts and foodies, there are additional concerns: Can we eat out again? Will we travel again like before?
Many business houses are sitting idle, their doors shut, waiting for the green signal to open. Meanwhile they are trying to maintain their visibility with meaningful social messages. With the immediate future still being very unpredictable, we all are clinging on to hopes for discovery of the COVID-19 vaccine and keeping our fingers crossed in hope for good health of near and dear ones till then. That’s not too much to expect now.
Light at the end of the tunnel
“There is no denying the fact that the future is pretty much uncertain now. While we do try to stay positive about a better world ahead of us, there are unending questions in our minds.”
In most countries of Europe, life is gradually going back to normal. They are starting to lift the lockdowns. Parks are beginning to get visitors, cafés are opening up, people are coming out of their homes for a little more than necessities, although not yet for luxury and in some parts, I am told, masks are not mandatory anymore. All these are still dreams for most of us in countries that are yet to reach the peak. But the good news is that the number of tests has increased, and death rate is low. The curve seems to be beginning to stoop downwards. Recovery rate is much higher than active cases.
If things go on this way, we will probably be free again soon. But they say human beings have short memory. As soon as the pandemic is over and life is back to the old normal, the ‘life during lockdown’ will probably be forgotten. Our newly acquired skills and knowledge of health, hygiene, sanitising and social distancing, will be good for leisure-time talks only. I wish that doesn’t happen.
Inspirational stories
During the lockdown, life of people around the world went in for a toss. But while the pandemic and staying indoors have negatively affected many people, there are numerous others who have tried to use this time productively. Many found innovative ways to engage themselves and stay positive, while continuing to maintain social distancing and isolation wherever necessary. Many have discovered a secret talent, many devoted time to long lost hobbies, many others have used the time to take rest and watch movies and read books to heart’s content. To make up for the lost income, many have resorted to online businesses. People continued with celebration of special days. Only that the meaning of ‘staying in touch’ changed during this time, and ‘human touch’ completely lost its sheen. Over the last few months we have come across innumerable stories of beautiful life during lockdown. In Italy, neighbours played tennis from their windows and sang from their balconies to boost each other’s spirits. In Spain a couple got engaged at their balcony during the lockdown and neighbours joined in the celebration from their respective balconies. Staying fit during the lockdown can be difficult. A fitness programme was organised in London where residents joined the fitness class from their doorsteps. Teachers all over the world have resorted to online classes and thereby redefined the teacher-student relationship and teaching techniques. A former US Marine nurse in USA, turned 104 during the lockdown and her well-wishers and friends gathered outside her home to celebrate her birthday.