When news of the corona virus attack began surfacing in the newspaper in early January, I dismissed it as another outbreak like Nipah and Ebola that would be contained very soon. I almost mistook it for something that affected the cornea. Corona with its regal crown soon began to have a menacing look. It was no longer China's problem or bio-weapon. It slowly gripped South Korea, Italy and now the rest of Europe, Americas and a good part of Asia (God save Africa). Europe which we thought was the paragon of natural beauty and human efficiency, crumbled under its invisible grip. So much so that Italy has reported over 5000 dead as of now while Spain, Germany and the UK try hard not to go the Italy way. Lockdowns are the order of the day in much of the world.
A good part of India and my own Kerala has decided to go under lockdown after the farcical Janata Curfew yesterday. The clanging and clapping at 5 pm across India on the PM's silly exhortation almost defeated the purpose since many made it a corona festival. However, we can try to believe it was a trial run and prepared a fidgety and unruly populace to social distancing and Stay at Home pleas.
Kerala, which deftly treated and contained corona (student) cases that came from Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic in China soon lost the plot when NRIs returning home failed to remain in quarantine and happily spread the virus around. An able Health Minister and a calm Chief Minister who has handled many trials by fire _ two devastating floods, Sabarimala issue, Nipah and now Covid 19, and of course a hostile Centre _ are trying their best to contain the pandemic with the help of efficient bureaucrats and dedicated healthcare staff. The international and part of the national media are singing praises about the State's Health Minister and the healthcare facilities, but a community spread of the disease could send things spiralling out of control.
My adopted country has kept up its spirits, not letting citizens and residents worry too much. Still panic buying has been the norm for over a week now. The changes have been gradual. First came the abrupt closure of schools on March 9, next school buses were suspended but CBSE Board exams went as per schedule with parents dropping and picking up their wards. And soon after the last exam were majority of 10th graders came the announcement that the remaining exams were being postponed.
Churches and mosques closed from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah to Dubai; the days are silent with no call for prayer except on Fridays and requesting the faithful to pray at home. Churches offer live streaming of the Mass in this Lent season, Sunday school classes remain suspended of course. In 48 hours, malls, restaurants and fish& vegetable markets across the country will close while essential services like pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open.
These are unnatural time requiring unnatural measures, as Kejriwal said. Let us hope mankind comes out of this ordeal largely unscathed - hopefully, learn a lesson about what matters ultimately.
P.S. Mira is enjoying her online classes for Grade X, she thinks it is better than going to school. But I hope school starts before children start getting bored about being at home.
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