By Garima Misra
In December 2019 coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan city of China.11th March 2020 was the date when WHO conducted a virtual press conference and to our fears declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. I remember that day to be the festival of Holi. Nobody celebrated the festival with the zeal and enthusiasm they carried every year. The horror was coming to turn into reality. I remember coming from the coaching class and hearing the news. Coronavirus is contagious and spreads very quickly. Being a student of biology I had some idea about viruses and their structure. So, if any news came in the newspapers I was able to understand it. Viruses are microscopic but very dangerous. At that time no vaccine was developed, and doctors were clueless about how to save patients. Every patient showed unique symptoms depending on the variant.
On March 23, 2020 lockdown was imposed for 21 days by our PM Narendra Modi. I did not have any idea what lockdown was. Then I came to know that lockdowns are imposed in case of a war, pandemic, or nuclear disaster. Lockdown is a crucial step taken in case of emergency by the government. Lockdown was essential to break the chain and curb the spread of the virus. Despite having a negative impact lockdown was essential. A pandemic happens once in hundred years. Lockdown was something new to us. The home was the only paradise on earth. Initially, it was difficult to control the urge to go out but subsequently, it stopped. Being trapped at home felt like a prisoner, a bird in a cage, or an animal in the zoo. I missed the hustle and bustle of the city of Mumbai.
Travel was shut down, cinema halls, restaurants, stadiums, malls, shops, and public transport were closed. Economic activities came to a halt. Marriages were without guests and music. People lost their savings. We had no other option but to embrace what Covid-19 had in store for us. Covid-19 has changed our lives forever. Those who had suffered from coronavirus had to face days battling with fever, fatigue, loss of smell and taste, and breathlessness. Even I had suffered from Covid-19. It was a painful experience.
The coronavirus was no less than a tsunami or an earthquake. It can also be called World War-3. The amount of destruction and devastation it has caused is truly frightening. So many people lost their lives across the globe and some of us lost our loved ones too. Initially, I was depressed seeing the situation on TV and reading the newspaper. But I decided that we will fight this situation with full zeal and enthusiasm. Doctors were true warriors and soldiers during that time. Firstly, during the initial days of the lockdown, I had become lazy and used to waking up late in the morning. One fine day I decided that I had to change myself. I began waking up at 6 in the morning. I did pranayama and yoga. I also liked to learn dance from youtube. Children were happy as they did not have to go to college or school. I attended online classes and studied regularly. Neither the students nor the professors liked it but we had no other option. Everything moved online. These classes were ineffective and less interactive. It was easier to cheat in an online exam. Students passed with flying colors easily. Board exams were canceled. Competitive exams were postponed. Small children lost their interest to play and study. Parents working from home found it difficult to manage jobs with household work.
Cravings for fast foods decreased. We all relished home-cooked food. I used to help my mother with cooking and other household chores. I got plentiful time to spend with my parents. We played indoor games and watched Netflix. Distance and restrictions were never a barrier to connecting with loved ones. Whenever I felt like talking to someone, I just video-called them. During the lockdown, I developed many new skills and hobbies for example creative writing. I enrolled myself in a lot of online courses.
Online shopping was the new norm. The delivery agents did a tedious job delivering parcels to every nook and corner of the country. Banks, post offices, chemists, grocery stores, police, ASHA workers, doctors, government offices, and other frontliners did a commendable job. They even worked on losing sleep. We all salute them. The Co-win app developed by the government is also quite impressive. It was easier for us to register, book our slots for the vaccine, and in the end get a dose of the vaccine. The efforts of the Serum Institute of India and Bharat biotech are also commendable. The scientists worked day and night to develop vaccines in such a short period. Hats off to them.
Wearing a mask, using sanitizer, and maintaining social distancing was the new normal. It is even quite evident today. The was difficult to practice but people obediently followed the protocols. There was a positive impact on the environment. Deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution were at an all-time low. Humans suffered but nature flourished. Factories were closed, no cars on the roads, and no human activities contributed to it. People lost jobs. Unemployment was at an all-time high. Small-scale industries had collapsed. Migrant workers, daily wagers, and laborers could return to their homes after a lot of effort. It was difficult for them to live without the necessities of life. The GDP and economic growth fell. The economy might have collapsed. Mental health was the topic to talk about. Depression and anxiety were at an all-time high. Social media usage increased. Domestic violence was at its peak. People should come forward and talk about mental health.
Overall I feel what covid-19 has taught me is resilience. No matter what happens in your life you need to be strong and bounce back." Out of most sufferings emerged the strongest souls the most massive characters are seared with scars"-Kahlil Gibran.
By Garima Misra
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