It isn't just governments and healthcare systems that are currently in uncharted territory. We are all struggling to cope with the sea change in all our lives ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. There are things that we used to take for granted that we no longer do. Equally there are things we’re doing for practically the first time ever now during the COVID-19 lockdown, such as:
Many of us are realising how many thankless but necessary chores our domestic help performed for us, each day, without question. Having to do our own cleaning, washing and picking up after ourselves has given us a very keen appreciation for these services indeed.
Many of us who have balconies in our homes are truly appreciating those for the first time. At a time when we are feeling hemmed in, those balconies give us welcome respite from the indoors and some sense of the outdoors.
It’s clearer and bluer during day time and the stars are brighter at night than most of us can remember. Besides what else is there to do but look up at the sky and contemplate life and the vastness of the universe!
Earlier we found all sorts of excuses not to get out and exercise. Now we simply long to go for long walks, die to get on to our cycles and think fondly of the gym.
In school, they probably told us how to do it and how it important hand-washing was, but we didn't listen. Now, however, most of us have found out how to wash our hands properly and often enough; discovering that we’d been doing it wrong all these years!
You probably haven’t spoken to them or even thought of them in years. Suddenly you want to touch base and find out if they are alive and well.
You know the ones you disliked the sight of, or the one you would climb several flights of stairs just to avoid being in the lift with? Yes, you're probably missing even those guys.
Maybe we don’t set the alarm these days. Maybe we don’t bother to get out of our PJs till noon (or at all). Maybe we can’t remember whether or not we showered today.
We are thinking a lot about all the things we took for granted: our daily commute, crazy as it may have been, for instance. We miss hugging dear ones when we meet them; even just meeting them at all. We miss going to the theatre for a movie or out for a meal, getting into a lift without a second thought. Right now, I'm missing planning a holiday – any holiday, any travel at all!
Though we have a lot to crib about, paradoxically, we are also recognising our privilege and counting our blessings right now. Right now we have a secure home, all the sustenance we need, a net connection and very importantly, we have our health. Little is being asked of us except to stay at home, wash our hands regularly and to cover our noses and mouths if we have to step out. Right now, there are those who are literally struggling to survive. Right now there are health professionals and sanitation workers who are literally in the line of fire. So if the coronavirus pandemic is making us take stock our privilege, this can only be a good thing.
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