Pages from World's COVID Diaries

“Every day the clock resets. Your wins don't matter. Your failures don't matter. Don't stress on what was, fight for what could be.” - Sean Higgins

March 2023 would mark three years of the COVID onset in India and the country-wide lockdown. Even though the signs were already visible as early as January 2020, the first official lockdown was announced and had commenced in the last week of March the same year. Initially it was to be for 21 days only. But soon the paradigm shifted swiftly, changing the well versed accustomed social norms followed around the country and the World as a whole until then. The Novel Coronavirus or COVID – as we all have come to call it quite fondly – has been, in my opinion, the most unorthodox, unbiased and undiscriminating mass assassin since the 1980s. It not only challenged the manslaughtering might of the HIV/AIDS and Swine Flu pandemics, but it also established itself as the subtle winner. Until it was too late, we never realized that we definitely had underestimated the viral might. So in the face of a change – forced on us by an element no one can push any blame on and punish – the ensuing days in confinement showed us our true shades.

Where on one hand, the idea of ‘future stability’ and financial plans were disrupted around the World with millions losing their jobs – the only design ensuring their survival – the World Economic flow jolted to a halt interrupted by the sudden unplanned lockdowns announced by countries. As a result of similar circumstances, India’s GDP plummeted as well. Lakhs of Indian migrant workers displaced - even forced to walk for miles to reach their native places in the hope for some respite and ‘Safety’. Reasonably from COVID, but undeniably from the mounting financial obligations as well, threatening to convert into burdens. Farmers protested to defend their livelihoods asking for better rights. Regrettably, though thousands died in the COVID 1st wave because of our own lack of knowledge about the virus. It’s hard to ignore that, even after being the front row spectators to the 1st wave outcome, millions more died in the COVID 2nd wave from being in denial of the virus’s existence and being complacent towards the safety rules laid out by governments and medical representatives everywhere.

The social balance was equally rattled. Where many of the physical crimes around the World saw a steep fall in its numbers during the pandemic lockdowns. Various helplines on the other hand received a high number of calls reporting drug crimes, cybercrimes and domestic abuse complaints. Psychological and emotional vulnerabilities were attacked proving the misery of the victim(s) was a mere source of amusement for the violator(s). Social media at this time not only became a bridge to extend a helping hand to someone in need - be it emotional or in person. It also served as a consoling balm for those who were suddenly torn by an unplanned long distance stuck in different cities or countries, for an unforeseeably long time.

On the flip side, it also became a medium to spew hate about topics that probably didn’t need as much intense emotional attention as was given. An uncomplaining and unresponsive platform by itself, social media became a tool to expel the growing frustration resulting from the delay in reverting to the defined ‘normal life’. Attacks were targeted at another’s race, colour, religion or even cultural background, with insignificant issues becoming a beacon for attention and eclipsing the actual social opinion which might have triggered the incident in the first place. What did we succumb to? Was it Anger lying dormant within us? But, what were we angry about? Was it Hate simmering in our hearts waiting to be poked at? But, who did we hate? Was it the unknown person’s fault who was from a different race, colour, religion or cultural background? Did we stop and think about who the real miscreant was? Why were we feeling provoked?

When the home isolation guidelines eased, many of us, after feeling imprisoned within the assured asylum of our homes, broke out of the sheltering walls caging us. Liberated in the company of the bustling crowds, we forgot that the unbiased virus was either looming over us or had already infected the very company we yearned for. In our excitement to savour the long awaited freedom, many of us forgot to comply with the COVID protocols laid down by the Government and constantly being reiterated by the healthcare professionals and agencies around the World. We forgot that by doing so we were not only jeopardising our lives, but also the lives of our undoubting loved ones. Why have we become so nonchalant that we disregard everything that does not directly impact us? Why do we elude from taking even one step, different from our usual normal routine? Why has our amusement and gratification become so important to us that in our pursuit of our own comfort and indulgence we even forget that we are endangering another life? Somehow, someone else’s discomfort has become inconsequential to us. Why have we forgotten to be humane in this time of need? I personally observed many around me deviating from the COVID protocols at the height of the 2nd wave. Where many thought it would be prudent to wear double masks while going out, some others walked around without their masks completely unconcerned. Requests to wear it fell on deaf ears, so needless to say it was futile. Where some people maintained the adequate distance while standing in lines (some stood at more than adequate distances) – even though it meant standing out in the scorching heat or in the rain – some others stood unsympathetically close enough to cough or sneeze mucus on your shoulder. Many people still went out everyday to buy fresh vegetables and groceries crowding the stores, not maintaining 'safe distance' protocols on the pretext of being in a hurry to close their purchase. Street-side food vendors served food without wearing gloves, though it was a government mandate issued to them. Sometimes even without wearing masks. Their excuse - they felt suffocated in them. Arguments would often ensue where I tried to have someone breaking the protocols, to follow it. Mostly they would either give me a cold stare. At other times, all requests to have them follow the guidelines would be simply ignored. Requests to wait their turn like others, instead of barging in an already crowded (as per COVID protocols) store outlet, would be scorned at. I realised that requesting isn’t working, nor is showing irritation with the intention to avoid confrontation, nor even raising my exasperated voice after a while. Some of us had completely overlooked the fact that they are not only wearing the mask for their own safety, but for the safety of others who are standing within their close vicinity as well. What led to such an attitude? Was it ignorance or was it blatant neglect? Being confident and not panicking is definitely a positive ask from everyone. But where should I draw the line to separate our confidence from our overconfidence?

Amidst this pandemonium, Nature reclaimed its place once again, reminding us that our species had forgotten to coexist with others, arrogantly feeling entitled to be the sole owner of the planet. The rivers and lakes became cleaner. We witnessed ocean life resurfacing to mingle with the humans. The air started to become breathable. It almost felt gentle against the skin. I’m sure you must be thinking, why am I discussing all of this now - almost 3 years after the pandemic? That’s because, whether we accept, acknowledge and agree with it or not, but with our Human lives moving back to it ‘normal self’, so has all the social issues too. All that we had broken away from during the Pandemic is taking back its place with a vengeance. The air quality is severe again making it unbreathable, physical crimes have risen, the rivers, lakes and oceans are engulfing themselves to protect the pristine life within itself. Have we revived from the tragedy of the COVID losses so fast that we are unapologetically speeding towards our selfish tendencies? Or is it that falling back on our past routines is easier in our Unconscious Perspectives rather than to learn from our past and be reborn to adapt to the new World?