During the invasion of Covid-19

Olivia Gurumayum *

I am sure everyone must have well informed about the menacing virus, Coronavirus or Covid-19. The information has been widely circulated, both facts and fakes, on every social networking sites. The information is flooding all over that it has reached to a point where it is difficult to differentiate the facts and fakes.

The ugly invasion of coronavirus put all of us in such a chaotic situation. A large number of people are affected by the vicious virus and huge number of people has demised untimely. Such an unfortunate incident it is, that many people have departed with their near and dear ones forever. Hope it doesn't happen again in the future.

But, at the same time, it is also an eye-opening episode. We are able to see how earth is healing from the damages done by human. Since the existence of human being the planet earth has been modifying into something astounding.

The inventions of technology, how many nations are developing and some developed immensely, the discoveries of many took over the natural process that has the beauty in itself. Making everything available in our figure tips.

Whether we called it bio chemical warfare or the end of human civilisation or a blessing in disguise or refreshing planet earth, one thing was vindicated that humanity is above all. In a war we can at least build a hiding place. But, this one is more than a war. No discrimination, no racism, no religion, no caste, no class but attack any person, invisibly. It has tested the vulnerability of humankind.

Some bravely faced and fought the indiscriminating nature of the virus while many had to surrender their lives despite their courageous fight. It is not an easy battle. For those who have survived from this traumatic incident it must have been the most harrowing period of their lives. Yet, they fought bravely.

Even to those who didn't suffer it is such a drastic turn and twist in life. Who might have thought the whole nation will be lockdown and lock themselves up in their own houses and for how many days? Almost all the countries are affected by it leaving no age and no gender behind.

There have been cases of many deadly pandemic in the past like MERS, SARS, Ebola, H1N1 (Swine flu), influenza, etc. and this time it is Covid19. The viruses just get circulating or emerging at any point of time anywhere.

But, something struck in my mind. Will there be another outbreak of virus in the future? Is it the right time for all of us to accept that there will be another virus pandemic or outbreak in the near future that we should be taken care of as early as possible? Will it be better to train ourselves what needs to be done in pandemic outbreak?

It would be of much help if people are given much education on this kind of pandemic and how to tackle if this kind emerges in the future. Not only people need to understand the pandemic but also the impact of it. Due to the lack of knowledge on it we all have seen how people reacted to the incident leading to many unwanted and unnecessary issues.

The panic buying with long queue, the ignorance maintaining of those said metre in shops and markets, the piling up of things at home, social distancing and above all the blame that one gets from the society out of panic. The worst is how people started treating each other.

Every problem that comes our way has a root cause that many keep ignoring it and impulsively react to it. And, to my surprise or maybe nothing to surprise, some Indians took the impact of the Covid-19, the wicked virus into something else.

Not enough with the danger of covid-19 that an uncle spits on a girl and mainland Indians calling corona to northeast people thinking they are Chinese. Another incident with the International Model Lin Laishram, from Manipur, whose remark on the word Mayang went totally wrong.

Both began with the lack of enlightenment and knowledge of the diversity of their own nation, and, beyond everything, lack of understanding and awareness of society. Racism and discrimination seems to be in the blood of many that even in the crucial period of time hatred never fades.

Although it is human nature to react and being impulsive in situations, but, that does not mean people can react anywhere anytime and to anyone without even trying to understand the situation. To even think of a solution will ultimately take longer time if we do not educate as much people as we can.

In this crucial situation, which problem do we have to solve? Explaining those racist that racism is not the solution and punish them or to focus and help more on those who are struggling against the virus consuming their lungs or to protect ourselves from affecting it?

Racism and discrimination are no less than communicable diseases. It gets transmitted from one uneducated person from another uneducated person who lacks knowledge on mankind and unable to understand the component of a society or a community.

Likewise, if we are unable to understand how the virus is invading into our body and what makes the virus spreading like fire we must follow rules and regulations that have been implemented by the government and follow doctors instructions strictly rather than blaming one another, attacking religion or forwarding irrelevant information creating more confusion amongst us.

On a positive note, we could see many youths taking initiatives and lending their hands to help those in need. There are many ingenious people especially youths; it is high time they improve on their talents and skills.

Many of us can surely pull out our own hidden talents and make ourselves more productive rather than breaking our nerves on hatred and create unnecessary and more menace to the society. We always complain about not having time to do what we want. So, it is time we say Yes, God heard our prayer.

What would be the impact of it and how will we tackle the consequences? Will it be safe for all the malls, markets, shops, theatre etc to open all together at once?

Beginning with panic, rushing of buying essential commodities due to lockdown, rapid increase of affected people, slowing down of economy, many fears that it will hit the employment rate..., etc will surely lead many to psychological issues like depression.

We all have to be mentally prepared for the consequences too. But, as of now, let's all stay strong; eat healthy foods, productive because, like every knot there is a way to untie it, there is surely a way out for all of us from this invasion.

Let us not be selfish. Staying at home and distancing ourselves from one another are the primary steps to fight against it and it is the best thing we can help those in frontline and those affected people bring back home faster.