Yours Closely Covid: Go Corona Go!

The Prelude: This is true and ongoing. This is about a face to face encounter with Covid. The scariest monster of present day. And trust me, unless & until we saw it so close, we could not get those chills. I hope and wish that nobody reading this has to ever feel it in person. So, it all began early this year that we planned a trip from Patna to Raipur to attend the fifth birthday of my niece, in mid March. The two kids of mine were overly excited for a ten-day visit to my sister's place which included staying together with their little sister, her parents and all time favorite nanu-nani. It was planned that after the birthday celebration and party, we will also move around to see the city and do some nearby tourism. So a kids friendly family itinerary was already shortlisted. The festival of Holi (9th March 2020) was celebrated at home in Patna with NO mention of Corona fear till then. And right after it, we heard about it vaguely, that it has knocked in India but is widespread in other parts of the world. We saw it in news but there was no panic for a couple of days. But then it picked up some pace and I remember being proactive to buy sanitiser and the N95 Masks for myself and kids as a precaution while taking the flight to Raipur. We reached Raipur, feeling safe. It all started quite well. One week. Partying, city parks, dining out, outing with close relatives and lots of fun. Third week of March ongoing, Corona was only in news channels and NO case was heard in the States of Bihar and Chhattisgarh, and most of other states till then.

The Beginning: On 18th March 2020, we drove to Amarkantak which is about 200 km from Raipur. It is a beautiful green hill station in the Maikal Mountains of Chhattisgarh. We checked into our resort and hurried to attend the famous Narmada Udgham Aarati... with a little awareness of the Corona story picking up much more  faster than even a day before. And came to know that after this evening, the temple will be closed till further notice from the local Administration. Thereafter every place we visited on the following day was like being the last lucky tourist to be there before the gates close due to Corona. On the way back from Amarakntak to Raipur, even the Eaterie and Tea-shop we chose to drop by served us secretly as the police vehicle was already announcing on loud speaker to close everything till further notice, as  a few Covid cases were detected in the State. Though we rushed home suspecting something unusual happening around, yet the seriousness of Corona had still not sunk into us. It looked distant, as if not meant for 'us'... that means.... Eating healthy, living hygenically, vaccinated as per norms, leading a somewhat good life in comparison to atleast half of the world... Why should have we worried? We had "no fear" of the epidemic till then. By the time we reached home, it was late at night. We freshenned up, had dinner and slept, not knowing that we were entering a new world soon. The next morning, the 21 st of March 2020, we read the uprising Covid cases in India, the death numbers globally, saw the news channels on fire, and got the awareness that "it " is getting serious even in India... We did gossip amongst family that by God's grace we are safe and sound, and not stuck elsewhere but are back home in time, in Raipur from the short tour. And the evening TV was all about the appeal from our PM for the 'first of its kind' for the entire nation... PM Modi announced a ‘Janata Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm Sunday, 22 March, to stop the spread of coronavirus that had already claimed four lives in the country and infected at least 169 others till then. So the Covid story had made its place as the top story already... and entered each and every life quite surprisingly !

The Story Picks Up: One day 'Janata Curfew' happened. And the rumours of further lockdown. Backed up by our return flight of Raipur to Patna for 24th March 2020 being cancelled by the airlines, and uncertain alternative flight options given to choose from, we opted to cancel any immediate travelling,  for precaution. It made sense to plan once it's all over in a 'few' days. But who suspected that this 'few days' extended to a 'few month's in a blink of an eye !!! Yes... We still had to take an alternative and longer route to travel back home in Patna, but after more than three and half months of stay in Raipur... And more travel precautions and unusual norms than ever before... Unbelievably UNUSUAL circumstances! This word is the only thing on all the minds this present day... To an extent to make it look "usual"... The two opposite words might just merge into each other, is it the new truth? 

And here is the mention of all the short stories that we made in the past four unusually usual interesting months of 2020:

Story1- Family Togetherness: Some of the lucky ones got to stay close with family, which had never been possible in the long years. But several others craved to have decided about it it in time.

Story2- Child birth: My cousin became first time parent and so we came to know about such a unique circumstance to be born in this period. Several important vaccinations were delayed, there were very few people to welcome, & no one risked to visit except immediate family. Good part was that the new born angel enjoyed the complete company of immediate family members for all these initial months of life, beginning March 2020, as no one had to move out of house.

Story3- Birthday Celebrations: Several Quarantine Birthday Celebrations took place, first of its kind that involved group video calls for cake cutting, getting ready to look good for oneself, not a party with guests, longer duration of phone calls and connecting to several friends and family over phone. Additionally, home made cakes and delicious dishes prepared with contribution of newly found 'chefs' in family, added to the fun.

Story4- Living in Containment Zone: It was a 14 day period when the society of about 1000 was put under containment as ONE kid tested positive for covid. Then, the process of sanitizing the full society, locking of gates, people not seen even in campus, one could hear the silence distinctively. But the beautiful part was the goodbye & welcoming of the patient by the features by clapping and cheering for the one to stay brave and feel awaited. Such a nice humane gesture, we joyfully became part of it.

Story5- Fear of Covid in Family,Testing and Self Quarantine, Preventive Measures: When ONE in our family had fever and a little cough, we were all scared initially. More so because three kids under the age of ten are to be saved somehow. The suspected one locked into a one room self quarantine and informed officials via app for testing fo covid. It took almost 3-4 days, thankfully report was covid negative, and we had a sigh of relief. But till the report was received, our imaginations and prayers flew high. The 'Kadha' was prepared with all the recipes knowledge received from various sources, and sipping it twice a day has become the fixed schedule even till now. Hot water gargle is also IN. Probably, prevention is the best thing in such chaos around, and we decided to atleast do all that we can.

Story6- Social Distancing and Masked Life: It's the new world, new ways, and sooner the better, that we make it the new 'usual'... Also, every home is equipped with sanitizers and handwash is a habit every now and then, also a new water game for small kids. Social distancing has got new heights. Forget how people are still mingling but do see that when dead in this strange covid period, none are finding people except few sparing members at home for even attending the funerals. No religious people are found to help you with the last rituals, and its as if the body which has stopped functioning has to be practically got rid off... Such inhuman conditions have arisen and we are forced to just watch it helplessly. 

Story7- The World, The News, The Stories: Suddenly the world looks ONE. All countries, their people are suffering. Whether it's rich or poor or the middle class, all have their own set of new problems and solutions to this Corona Period. Some losing their jobs, some shutting down companies, some struggling for daily expenses, corona has spared none. The elderly, the kids, the youth or adults, all are affected. Some major makeshift has happened in almost each and every life. There is one main news past several months and that's Covid ! And due to it, people are dying, Earth is reviving... Economy is dipping, people chose surviving... Odd situations are seen everywhere on the globe. Both, the deeds of help & humanity Versus deeds of crime & inhumanity, are competing on news channels and all around. (See Related: Life Amiss : Corona & Suicide)

Story8- Travelling in Corona Times: Many did not have to travel, but many others, like us who were stuck in lockdown outside hometown had to finally take the risk of travelling. The travel rules are changing everyday. When we travelled from Raipur to Patna, it was a never before experience for sure. Though it was quite systematic considering huge number of covid cases soaring each day. We took all possible precautions, still had to cope with sudden cancellation and rescheduling of flights again, and the duration of travel was surely longer by more than thrice. After a tiring day of travel, we reached home and since then have not stepped out of our door till date, it's more than 20 days now. Such is this Corona Time!

Story9- Miscellaneous Parallel Stories including Life at Sea, new life of kids and saga of online studies, hobbies perused, people got connected on social media, life without maids, boggled up mental conditions etc are several new topics we can always find ample things to talk about. I will prefer to write separately about a few of these in my later blog posts.

Story10- Moving from Lockdown to Unlocking: It is seemingly unending end of the ongoing saga. Cases are increasing rapidly, it's another lockdown, and is again extended every time. It's difficult NOT to feel hopeless and mentally tired of this scenario. Only Darwin's Theory of Survival of the Fittest seems to work here. Each one for his OWN life.

The Unending End: And just like the end of a movie where a new clue is given that may require to make a second part of the movie, we are in shock to live the news of the ordeals of a close relative fighting Corona... Deaths increasing, dead bodies lying unattended, administrative lapses, doctors and medical staff getting affected, families in fear and panic, people tired of staying in home and wanting to breathe some fresh air... what a doom we are all in... And much of it is due to the curse of over population which is showing all its said effects in this crucial time.The heart wrenching true stories flowing out from hospitals...of suffering, inhumanity, helplessness & chaos... These need no judgement, but simply an end to it ! With all our faith and strength extended to divinity, let's pray, Go Corona Go.... 

 

Keep safe, Stay humane, Be kind !

#NeverGiveUp#GoCoronaGo

#StaySafe#KeepGoing#BeKind

#LetLifeWinOverCorona#Live#Hope

#StartLivingWithCorona#MaskedLife