The Corona Virus, or COVID19, is an epidemic that has taken the world by storm and suspended progress in all spheres of development. This infectious disease that originated from Wuhan, China in January has now in April brought all countries to a standstill after its spread. While countries like South Korea and Italy had begun to face the brunt of the disease and lost many lives, they took the initiative to inform other countries to safeguard themselves for what was to come.
India began by taking action to protect us from Corona with the introduction of Janta Curfew on March 22nd by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While some responsible citizens had already started taking precautions before this curfew, it can be said that this event was essential to focus public sentiments. By setting this tone, the Prime Minister then took the initiative on 24th March to announce the 1st Phase of the National Lockdown for 21 days that would end on April 14th. In this time government officials, police, doctors and nurses took up the responsibility to go outside when all others could not to treat the present cases and prevent a further spread. We lost many lives and there were many problems that disrupted proper conduction of this lockdown, but thankfully, this is now being brought into control.
For a country with such a large population that is known to be highly social and empathetic, treating even strangers as family, it has been hard to accept and conduct social distancing. Still, many of us have done our part by staying at home and protecting ourselves by wearing masks and gloves when we go out to get essentials. In a blink of an eye the 2nd Phase of the National Lockdown began as Prime Minister Modi announced the extension of lockdown up to May 3rd, with quite a large possibility that it will be extended further. Now with our death rates slowing down, it is essential that we stay at home so that we can combat this first wave of the epidemic.
While the effect of this virus on humans has been extremely detrimental to say the least, the environment has instead thrived. With a drastic decrease in noise pollution, air pollution and water pollution, nature is thriving as the most crowded metropolitan cities have been emptied out. Animals are tentatively coming out of their restrictive areas and strolling through our empty streets leading to sights people would have never thought were possible. Clearly, all other parts of nature are adjusting to the shocking changes that this pandemic has brought to the human population.
The lockdown has affected all of us in different ways. Those of us in school or college are struggling to understand our syllabus through online classes and tests. Those of us with jobs are struggling to perform to our fullest capabilities with just our laptops at home. Many people have lost jobs that cannot be fulfilled in these circumstances, leaving them unemployed. These people have been affected the most by the pandemic and the government is trying its best to organize a system to support these people. In the end, the largest affect has been on our psychological well-being; an event like a pandemic is like a dark tunnel where the end cannot be seen. We cannot know for sure what will happen next and what our next move will be.
In times like this, it is important to not lose hope. Every person can hold on to hope in a different way. Some of us can pray to our gods to cling onto their support and blessings to hope for the best. Children can hold onto hope by continuing their studies and preparing for their future as best as they can in their homes. People with jobs can complete as much work as possible from home and be assured that they are doing the best they can in these times. Remember that this will end someday, but to protect that someday we must social distance ourselves now. Improve yourself by doing online courses or reading new and interesting books that can take you to places you cannot go to now. Comfort yourself by listening to songs, watching movies and calling your loved ones. Have a schedule that includes getting a little exercise and sunshine every day, so you do not fall into unhealthy habits and behavior. Most of all, spend this time with your family and stay at home.