 |
| Image credit: Pixabay |
Today is Day 62 of the lockdown, which came into force on March 25, and is in its fourth iteration with fewer restrictions and more relaxations.
Many rules on reopening of businesses, travel, quarantine etc have been eased; and the buzz is slowly coming back to this city.
Inter-state bus services haven't started, but they will soon. Trains have begun running. From today, domestic flights have resumed.
With people moving from one city to another, what many feared is happening - the number of cases is increasing. Almost every other day, it's a record high.
Multiple models and numerous researchers have been saying India's peak is still a few weeks, if not a few months, away. Which means, the chances of getting infected haven't reduced, they have actually increased.
I AM RISK AVERSE
I don't do anything that is perilous. However, there are a number of risks in my daily life. It may be minimal, but there is a risk when I take a flight, when I drive a car or when I travel by train.
Am I not living in the midst of so many viruses and bacteria? Is the air I breathe so free of pathogens that I could catch no infection?
As far as the virus is concerned, I am trying my best to be one up on it by taking as many precautions as possible.
Nevertheless, I am psychologically prepared for the day when I might test positive when the new normal gives way to the old normal. I am being more realistic than pessimistic here.
I HAVE ADDED ONE MORE RISK TO MY LIFE
 |
| Image credit: Pixabay |
According to NJ.com, a top New Jersey health official said everyone would get the disease.
In an article in the world-renowned medical journal, The Lancet, Johan Giesecke, Sweden's former chief epidemiologist and current health advisor to the World Health Organization, says:
"Everyone will be exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and most people will become infected. ... This is the real pandemic, but it goes on beneath the surface ... There is very little we can do to prevent this spread: a lockdown might delay severe cases for a while, but once restrictions are eased, cases will reappear. ..."
But unlike other infections, I am (probably, more) worried about others;.the hardship they would have to undergo.
No, this is not going to be like any other cold, cough or fever. There are wide-ranging social implications too. It's going to ring alarm bells in so many people around me.
I WILL HAVE TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS
Where all did you go?
Were you wearing a mask always?
Who all did you meet?
How close were you to them?
Did you shake hands with anyone?
Do you remember someone sneezing or coughing?
Do you remember who they were, where you met them?
THERE COULD BE A FEW REBUKES AS WELL
I told you not to go out ... What was the need? ... You could have waited for some more days ...
All are waiting for the vaccine. Even when a vaccine is invented, it doesn't mean from the very next day the world has been rid of the virus.
WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE END
 |
| Image credit: Pixabay |
It's going to be a long wait - for the day when, for most of us, today's risk is no longer considered a risk.
I am waiting for the day when a cough or a cold doesn't alarm people.
I am waiting for the day when COVID-19 is seen on a par with many other diseases like flu, dengue, chikungunya, chickenpox, malaria, etc.
I am waiting for the day when people would have learnt not to be scared but cautious.
I am waiting for the day when the stigma attached to the disease vanishes.
A POSSIBLE CONVERSATION ONE DAY
"O, you have a fever? Got yourself tested?"
"Yup! I have COVID-19!"
"O! So you will be indoors for ... what ... one month?"
"Ya. Okay, see you then online."
"Sure. ... Take care."