I return to my home in time to respect the lockdown in letter and spirit from this evening until Friday night. I had a bit of the home isolation experience yesterday itself.
The Coronavirus though lethal when infected has a chink in its armour; it cannot have a free run and cannot affect unless one comes into contact with those who have inherited the virus in foreign lands and returned to India but escaped the usual quarantine protocols. It cannot infect if one stays at a distance of the carriers and ensure proper personal hygiene and hand washing. Please let us not hoard essentials and be reason for an unnecessary panic!
After initial public bickering, usually reflective of the strained Centre-State relationship, all have set aside their differences to work together, which is a very welcome decision. The lockdown of 75 districts is a step in the right direction and might expand to more areas. CM Mamata has converted a whole Dumurjola stadium into a hospital with 150 bed with ICU et al. The Indian government has outperformed in hauling most stranded Indians from all corners of the earth. I salute the leaders on their initiatives.
Some people lament at the forced homestay and long to participate in the government’s initiatives. They must realise that they are already contributing immensely by snapping the spread of the virus with their homestay. Please educate the vulnerable persons the rules of quarantine in home. The virus has not entered into its more lethal community spread stages yet, but that could be explosive and could throw all facilities into a tizzy. Do practice social distancing at home and outside for a few days.
The coming weeks, months, could pose severe challenges to the government; industries forced to shut down with massive layoffs. The unemployed labourers may have no means of necessary sustenance, and I am sure the governments will factor a massive rescue and relief operation.
I see the return of many chirpings and singing birds; small animals like squirrels and even a civet amongst the bushes in my garden. The air is cleaner in the city. Despite these, the eerie silence around is scary, my mind wandering, like Ashoka’s renunciation after the bloody Kalinga war.
The world has already changed, threatened by an unseen, unfelt enemy, which could enter bodies as it has our minds. Many having investments in the stocks are witnessing their fortunes melting down by nearly forty per cent. Even precious metals like gold and silver are falling. Suddenly the mountain of monies under the pillows seems of no virtue. Good health and family values are taking precedence over all others. People serving, like doctors and like, are in higher respect than ever.
The Coronavirus has done something great; it has unified the world as when there could have been an alien attack. Let us all participate and contribute by shelving suspicion and negativities while educating all on the sustainable environment for healthy survival.
We shall overcome!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
