Mentality matters to fight COVID-19

Moirangthem Dolly *

Today, we are between 'Scylla' and 'Charybdis'.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, we face many issues and challenges everywhere - hunger, suspension of physical classes, disturbances at work places, shut down of markets, economic downfall, racial prejudices and so on.

This is not the situation the world expects to be. We are not helpless.

Yet, a special kind of help counts for, only if we know the right help and that is abiding by the current rules and regulations to fight this catastrophe. A question arises for sure - Is lockdown a blessing or a curse?

With the 21 day nation-wide lockdown, we are at no peace. But this chaotic situation is for us to prosper in the days to come. We get more than enough time to spend with our families, while our daily activities are at a pause.

Lockdown is a challenge but this can be an opportunity where we can continue to gain and impart knowledge. Social media can of enormous help.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc. are highly praised for connecting people globally. ICT can be taken into account.

Through them, we can manage to educate ourselves, families, friends, elders, the do's and don'ts about the COVID-19 crisis. They shouldn't be misused at least in this prevailing situation. They can be used as resources to spread awareness amidst home-stay.

Youngsters including students should not get disheartened and disappointed that their lives are at stake. Our lives will be saved only if we understand the necessity of this home-stay mission.

We, as responsible citizens, must convey the same to the older generations of the families. We have seen our youths playing active roles in the welfare of the state. They determine the future.

The 21 day lockdown curtails our lives but we should not forget that 'a stitch in time saves nine'. In order to sustain livelihood in the state and to fight against the COVID- 19 crisis, the Chief Minister has opened a relief fund - Chief Minister's COVID-19 Fund, where we can donate monetary aids to support the fight.

Appreciating much is the fact that youngsters have started donating the 'Yaoshang Thabal Funds' in this relief fund. This will be of immense help to the state after all it is for the people at large. The merry-makings are welcomed but not at moment where we are in a state of disaster. This wild gaiety can be celebrated thousand times once we return to normalcy by overcoming the crisis.

We fail to grasp the necessity of lockdown, by reason of which we try to defy and defeat our government. Some groups of people acted profusely at this critical spell. Our steps should not betray our own people.

Continuation of these steps will further drag us to nowhere but 'collective loss'. Religious fanaticism should be stopped all at once. The virus will not end us but the religious fever will kill each one of us.

The purpose of religion is to bring about peace, harmony, love, unity, and prosperity. Religion should not be used as a means to show our pride, disobedience, and ego. We fail to respect the lives of others because we lack self-respect and self-control.

Can you survive alone? How long will you stay in this pool of little knowledge? Is it the time for someone to tell you what 'LOCKDOWN' is? How many times do you want to get reminded of?

The nation tries with all possible ways to contain the spread of the disease, while, we, out of our contentious stupidity, try to fail this mission. It is a clear sign of our negligence and obstinacy.

Have we forgotten that service to mankind is service to God? Is this the kind of service we give to our fellow human beings? Is COVID-19 not "ENOUGH" to make us realize this?

If not, what else do we expect to come up? Are we waiting for another life threatening element which nobody is prepared for? What if human survival comes to an end just because of our foolish attitude? Have you ever pondered over?

For every action there are consequences. Let us get ourselves involved in actions that will bear fruits not moth eaten ones. Our actions should not be our mistakes. Let us remember, 'one swallow does not make the summer'.

At this crucial juncture, perseverance must be possessed by each one of us. We should strive as a unit to get rid of this monstrous pandemic disease.

One should not get discouraged and demoralized with the rising death toll instead one should lean towards positiveness which is reflected with the rising rate of recovery. Days and nights experts are trying hard to put forth their best to save the world.

Pharmaceutical companies, around the globe, are putting their best efforts to find a cure for this disease. Mechanical ventilators play pivotal role in treating the COVID-19 patients. As these ventilators are mainly imported, their prices are exorbitant enough to consume the economies of the importing countries.

It is also pathetic to learn that our state, at present, has got below 100 mechanical ventilators.

"Positive mentality is the key to face anything" - In compliance with this, India's automobile companies Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai India, etc. have been relentlessly working to make indigenous and economical mechanical ventilators and they are projecting to manufacture 50,000 units per month by the end of May, 2020.

With this achievement, COVID-19 treatment will at least heave a little sigh of relief in the entire country. Every section of the nation works persistently to combat with the hideous COVID-19.

It is the utmost duty of every individual to co-operate. The deadliest disease doesn't give the guarantee of sparing a section of the society. It is ready to touch everybody with its cold icy hands.

The only armour to protect us from it is to stay safe at home and to follow the instructions and suggestions provided.

All the endeavours of the government, police department, medical personnel, NGOs, and other authorities concerned should not be proved abortive.