The Topsy Turvy Pandemic

Life was going on a fast pace, rather we had accelerated our life to optimum. We were at a level where we were planning to settle on Mars, dreaming of a life revolving around Artificial Intelligence with a secure thought in mind that we are the sole creator of our life and can direct it as we wish. Yes – we were at this level irrespective of who we were , a Researcher, a Lawyer, a Corporate Professional or now what we know as , a Migrant. 

This was the level of confidence of the mankind across the world and they were zooming high in spirits.

We have been thinking of invading Mars and suddenly, Mother Earth smiled and said, “You have plundered me already and I will not let you destroy Mars.”

And all of a sudden, the news of Covid19 spreads came out, gripping all of us under the panic of #Coronavirus and doomed spirits of all and lives of many.

Coronavirus attacks made many realize that we are mere puppets in the hands of God. We can drive with our effort but only in the direction of the UNSEEN POWER. 

Wuhan in China got inflicted with coronavirus and the news of the deaths spread out like bushfire. It was reported that it had affected a sizeable population, and that the young kids and elders were vulnerable. 

I even read somewhere in the news that China was pleading to kill the Coronavirus affected population to control further damage to life. Reading such news made me think foul of China. How can one take control of other’s life? It appeared a selfish motive of China – were they attempting to curb population or just one of the many things the world was saying. People across the globe never understood that our lives were going to be affected and many would-be infected by virus #pandemic2020.

Gradually, coronavirus stepped out from China spreading its wild tentacles to other parts of the world. It became a burning topic of discussion and one day, it was declared a pandemic by WHO.

Learning about the pandemic and the spread, brought people down to their knees, and Countries across started taking measures as suggested by WHO & other regulatory bodies. 

Initially, people succumbed to the corona attack – reasons were to be many – panic and anxiety deaths, non-availability of treatment, lack of knowledge about Corona, and much more.

Countries decided to go for complete lockdown, with a thought in mind that social distancing and being in #quarantine will bar people from getting affected by a coronavirus. One fine day, it will lose its efficacy in different climate and weather conditions in different parts of the world – Consequence of POSITIVE THINKING.

News heralded aggressively around the globe about Complete Lockdown – a result of PANIC & FEAR of losing a sound population.

In India, our honorable PM, Mr. Modi declared complete lockdown to secure the population. One day drill of Janta Curfew was exercised in a two-day notice and the people reprimanded to his views.  It was a grand success though few groups around the country thronged on roads in groups violating social distancing to celebrate the success of a one-day curfew of 12 hours. The leaders and the intellectuals of the country were disappointed but a thought settled well in their mind that the citizens will abide by if lockdown is imposed.

The complete lockdown was imposed on the 24^thof March 2020 – new of its kind. No one had ever imagined that a day will dawn when the whole country will come to a screeching halt but it happened. Airlines, Trains, Buses, and all available modes of transportation were taken off after the pronounced announcement of Lockdown 1.0 for 21 days.

All the Corporate, Educational & Industrial establishments shutters went down, only IT and other establishments having a provision of #WorkfromHome were allowed to work else it turned out to be a Total Shutter-Down movement.

The happiest lot amongst the total population were the school going kids and the other lot who got time off studies. It was an enjoyable time for them. NO STUDY, ONLY PLAY – but there was a clause – playing inside the house. Still the population enjoyed Lockdown 1.0. They got enough screen time and were satisfied with the virtual world.

The worst affected were the daily wagers, the labor class who were the breadwinners of their family on an everyday basis. The whole machinery had halted – no work, no pay. Initially, people believed that it was merely a matter of 21 days and they could manage with a ray of hope that the pandemicwoes would slow down and get eliminated.

Homemakers were troubled the most because of the non-availability of support staff. The anxiety and the panic of spreading pandemic consoled them to attend their household chores all by themselves with the support of family members. Life was not easy but they welcomed it to stay secure.

I asked my father who is 80 plus whether he had ever imagined that a day will come when the country will come to a total halt.

He said, “Not even in my wildest dream.” True, he is to day. 

The Government requested people to #StayHomeStaySafe. The migrated population were also requested to stay where they were and they abided with a belief that the situation will improve after the lockdown.

The Lockdown 1 was welcomed by all. It was a new situation for all – the elite, the intellectuals, and the common people got a chance to live with the family. It was a respite for maximum who could not take time out for the family. They cooked, played, and managed the household by the team effort of all. 

There was one tribe of Corona warriors who sacrificed the most to serve people. This tribe constituted of Health Workers, Doctors, Police Personnel, Government Officials responsible for pandemic management, Defence Personnel, and many more. Their job doubled up in this #lockdownera and the continued stress to save themselves from the easy spreading Coronavirus and the equal sacrifice of their kith and kin who were well-versed with the consequences of Corona, still, they stood with their partners.

This is just an overview of the situation…will discuss more presenting you the grim and the better situation of the #pandemicedition.

It did fill us with fear of getting smitten by it and gave us lessons of life to all of us…for some, it was tough to take and for some, this era proved to be an eyeopener…a time to ponder and change the lifestyle that we were living in…drifted far off from normal.

Don’t forget to read the post of Surbhi P, the second series of the ongoing blog train.

The Blog train THE PANDEMIC THAT CHANGED OUR LIFE UPSIDE DOWN initiated by blogger Ila Varma  to bring the bloggers together to share numerous experiences of #pandemiclockdown2020.