A pandemic is upon us, and the world is drowning in anxiety, understandably.
For me, however, this event has made me realize how in-control of my life, I am.
I am educated, so I can read and understand about the coronavirus. I can ensure that me and my family/friends take adequate precautions. I am working in a formal set-up wherein I don't have to worry if this crisis will affect my employment status, and thus sustenance. I will have enough savings and resources to tide me over even if there is an economic crisis. I have internet and social media, where #socialdistancing has become the new cool; helping us all cope with isolation and quarantine. I have friends and family I can reach out to, in case this starts affecting my mental health.
And then there's the other set of population, in my very own country, in my very own city. The uneducated and illiterate ones - who do not perhaps even understand what is happening. Someone I heard recently was saying, 'what is this illness which is killing anyone who steps outside the house?' They have dubious (if any) sources of information. Then there are the ones working in the unorganized sector and the daily wage earners - they simply do not know how will they get over this shock - because of the economic lockdowns they are now completely dependent on the state for survival. Most will perhaps not even have any substantial savings; and; if quarantined, any means of staying in touch with their family and loved ones.
If all of that is not a source of anxiety and helplessness, I don't know what is.
Or is it normal for them, and this is another 'shock' that they have to accept and move on from? Is anxiety a normal state of mind for them, and thus perhaps this situation is not much different? Does that make them more perhaps resilient than the ones in the former group?
I don't know these answers; I can only see the unfairness of it all, because, if it becomes an epidemic in India, the poor and the vulnerable will be hit the most, just like with every other disaster. And that's the most unfair, because, at least in India, it has been brought by the 'rich' Indians - those who could travel to a foreign country and thus transmit it into India; to have the poor pay for it would be a great travesty.
Life in the times of Corona is strange and unsettling and prompting great existential questions. It is also making me more grateful, making me more connected to my friends and family, and giving me a forced downtime to perhaps push a reset? Without the noise of daily routines and stresses away, I am able to focus with greater clarity on what is truly important.
I hope that we come out on the other side kinder, more compassionate, more humane, more grateful, and maybe more peaceful and happy.
Because we're the lucky ones!
For me, however, this event has made me realize how in-control of my life, I am.
I am educated, so I can read and understand about the coronavirus. I can ensure that me and my family/friends take adequate precautions. I am working in a formal set-up wherein I don't have to worry if this crisis will affect my employment status, and thus sustenance. I will have enough savings and resources to tide me over even if there is an economic crisis. I have internet and social media, where #socialdistancing has become the new cool; helping us all cope with isolation and quarantine. I have friends and family I can reach out to, in case this starts affecting my mental health.
And then there's the other set of population, in my very own country, in my very own city. The uneducated and illiterate ones - who do not perhaps even understand what is happening. Someone I heard recently was saying, 'what is this illness which is killing anyone who steps outside the house?' They have dubious (if any) sources of information. Then there are the ones working in the unorganized sector and the daily wage earners - they simply do not know how will they get over this shock - because of the economic lockdowns they are now completely dependent on the state for survival. Most will perhaps not even have any substantial savings; and; if quarantined, any means of staying in touch with their family and loved ones.
If all of that is not a source of anxiety and helplessness, I don't know what is.
Or is it normal for them, and this is another 'shock' that they have to accept and move on from? Is anxiety a normal state of mind for them, and thus perhaps this situation is not much different? Does that make them more perhaps resilient than the ones in the former group?
I don't know these answers; I can only see the unfairness of it all, because, if it becomes an epidemic in India, the poor and the vulnerable will be hit the most, just like with every other disaster. And that's the most unfair, because, at least in India, it has been brought by the 'rich' Indians - those who could travel to a foreign country and thus transmit it into India; to have the poor pay for it would be a great travesty.
Life in the times of Corona is strange and unsettling and prompting great existential questions. It is also making me more grateful, making me more connected to my friends and family, and giving me a forced downtime to perhaps push a reset? Without the noise of daily routines and stresses away, I am able to focus with greater clarity on what is truly important.
I hope that we come out on the other side kinder, more compassionate, more humane, more grateful, and maybe more peaceful and happy.
Because we're the lucky ones!
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