From China and now India - Corona affected!!
We are all in the midst of the Coronavirus. For a long while India did not get affected with this China originated virus but of late India has picked up this Coronavirus scare. Since almost 2 weeks, partial lockdown has happened meaning malls, theaters all closed down, to discourage public gatherings and encourage social distancing. Even so, super markets, vegetable shops were open. Prior to this, partial shut down, even though Carona Virus news was prevalent and people were tensed , people still continued their normal lives - going to work, travelling in buses, metro, going to watch dramas in theaters etc, but now India is in a complete shutdown.
Shutdown shows that Corona matter is serious and worrying
[Image Source](Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
Complete shutdown meaning - we are told to stay at home, not go out unless it’s absolutely essential. Schools are closed, offices are closed, except for those personals needing to do essential services. Today even my house maid said she won’t come because there is unclear news, of whether we are allowed to go outside or not, as there was news that police can book us under epidemic act if we are found out of our homes. Infact last Sunday, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, imposed a janta curfew for one day where on Sunday no one was allowed to step out of the house.
Panic buying
This already triggered panic, that yesterday a day after Sunday , I went to shop for groceries to stock up for food that would last for the next two months. The supermarket I went did not even let me in because I did not wear mask, although they let me in after I ensured them that I am healthy without cough, cold and fever and would be careful shopping. This was all plain bizarre, many people with masks, the lady billing wearing gloves and mask. What is more no sanitizer anywhere, this has been the case since last 3 weeks, although I got some other brand of sanitizer, I hope it’s good in cleaning germs, I anyway use sanitizer for times I am out, travelling in bus and sorts, even normal days where Corona virus was not there.
Corona virus haunts one like a ghost
I still continue step down for sun shine and 2 days back went to buy vegetables, although I could sense huge scare outside. I change my clothes immediately after any outing into a shop which has lot of surfaces where this Carona virus may be there lurking in any surface, iteam, person and what not!!
Urgent transport of essential medicines to the US was hard
Last week, we had to send my mom her medicines abroad where she is kept at my brother’s home due to virus issue about and had to approach the hospital to get the original doctor’s certificate and medical prescription. It was not easy to go inside the hospital, they asked questions and discouraged me from going inside, but they did finally let me in.
It was a surreal zombie-like experience walking inside the hospital premises, people with masks, shattered crowds who knows with what health issues ,scary land it was. Although I saw a stupid lady having her hand sliding down the stair railing, idiot, you should not touch public surfaces like this, can’t you see how careful we are during corona time. I got the medical prescription eventually.
Usually my Dad does these chores not taking my help, but I understood he took my help only because people above 60 are not allowed to enter that hospital. Same at the super market, my Dad even though he had a good mask was forbidden to enter the supermarket, as he is a senior citizen. Corona, definitely has inconvenienced us. We were told that international passenger flights are closed and our medicine parcel to the US for Mother may or maynot pass as due to Carona virus, cargo flights may be halted/cancelled etc. Panic indeed, but fortunately the medicine packet for my Mom reached her just a while back!!
Tranquility at home though, a little pleasant
I am enjoying the quite though, outside since Sunday, it’s really quiet and peaceful. It’s possible the maid may not come for the next few days, and got to adjust without her, paying her all salary of course.
Now finally my venting out on this Corona situation in India!! ... Will do it in part two as this is getting dashed long.
Further update - it's official our Prime Minister scared us to death yesterday evening declaring that we should not step out from our houses, Corona virus will spread and effect millions of people if we do.
So 21 days complete curfew and shutdown. Dammit, I had to worry about stocking food for my cats, it’s litter and I broke down with this news yesterday, almost. Anyway. Modi did not say things clearly that essential services would be open - for vegetables, milk and stuff and many people panicked went out to buy stuff and forgot about social distancing, the very purpose of this lock down!!
Anyway...see you in part 2, I stocked up for my cats, just on time today with my pet shop telling me to hurry up for they may close anytime, any movement, I hurried and got my pet supplies and one toilet paper too, last one from one medical store that was only open in the area.