The year 2020 brought with it a Global Pandemic, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) which is a novel virus, the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) / 2019, that disrupted how we look into the future, whether it is about Education, Healthcare, Economy, or simply to get our supply of essential goods.
Significantly, Jeff Bezos puts together the most valuable lesson very simply, “the most dangerous thing is to not evolve”.
Key Points:
- Lockdown is an effective way to contain the spread of an infection, but controlling a Global Pandemic needs much more than that.
- Digital Access is as essential as electricity and water supply.
- Climate Change is real, and the biggest cause of it is Human Lifestyle, But NOT HUMANS.
To be able to learn something from a crisis is the first step to overcome it. Like I have learnt to live without Maggi, to make perfectly round chapatis, at the same time master the art of Working From Home (WFH), the family home⸺ something that used to be nearly impossible before, is now much like a boon.
The current asset we can get from the COVID-19 Pandemic right now is our health and safety and those of our loved ones, but the long-term asset is the life lessons that we take home, and that defines our future. So here are the greatest life lessons that COVID-19 taught me.
Humans Are The Dominant Species, Because It Has The Power To Save
As we praise and laud our Doctors, Nurses, and all the personnel working in the Healthcare industry, it is accentuated that the power to heal is the greatest power in the world, and as mystical as immortality. Only humans are capable of doing that. To save and heal not just its own species, but most of the other species in the planet. So today, I’m a changed person, who has developed an intuition to switch off the lights and electronics when not needed, to recycle my waste, to save, even if it is leftover food. To share, even if it is a small supply of ration. And even if I am not a doctor, a nurse, or have any connection to the healthcare industry whatsoever, I can still do my part in healing, perhaps, heal nature, the society, and a little part of the world.
Domestic Help Is An Occupation Of Greatness
To have housekeeping or domestic help is treated like luxury in most parts of the world, especially in the west. But in India, it is standard practice even in middle-class homes. During the lockdown phase, I was overly stressed to clean and tidy up my own house, in the absence of my domestic help. I pay my domestic help a standard salary, which is about 15% of my income. If I compare my 8-9 hours of work a day, my domestic help’s work is much more exertive than mine. Yet still, I do not think twice pointing it out, if Lachhmi, her name, misses a spot, or leaves any utensil less squeaky. During this phase, as I do every bit on my own, and much like Lacchmi, come across a missed spot left by me, I realize how Lacchmi must have felt.
I just learnt to treat the job of domestic help with much more respect than I used to.
Clarity Of Communication Is Key To Crisis Governance
The management of an uncertain global pandemic involves prompt actions, constant updating of policies, and in the case of COVID-19, the repeated extension of Lockdowns and the up-gradation of lockdown rules. In such a situation it is pivotal for the Government to communicate with the people in real-time, and the mode of communication must be mainstream. As a recipient of the orders, that’s what my demanding perspective says.
But according to a survey conducted by the Indian communities social networking site, LocalCircle, only 25% of people have complete awareness about the 3rd Indian COVID-19 lockdown rules. The survey, that is based on a total response of 16,358 people from across 277 districts in India, demonstrated how poor communication norms can fuel societal tensions and worsen the management of a crisis.
I deduce, the obvious – I stay indoor, and order my groceries online, thank God I did not have to face any such medical emergencies during this phase. So I am safe where I am.
But is that, a conclusion?
I acknowledge, that sharing information has its own dilemmas while addressing the diversified masses from a Government standpoint, amassing on reassurance and optimism – to convey hope, or to give away objectified demographics and technical data about the dynamics of the epidemiology, or to justify specified norms, and narratives, to be understood by all, that can just be reinforced and repeated. It is understood that we are supposed to be living inside the home, but what about those, who don’t have a home? Such questions, such needs of the hour, should not go unanswered.
The Significance Of Washing Your Hand And Sanitation
To wash my hands is now rooted in my instinct and that of my family’s. But Sanitation is a broader spectrum than simply washing your hands. It is much easier to get adjusted to a world of freshly laundered clothes, streamlined cleaning routines, and the overall idea of neatness.
The Work-From-Home System Is More Functional Than I Thought
Initially, it was a very uncomfortable system, and some of the discomforts are still there. The biggest cause of it is that I don’t have a dedicated workspace at home and the fact that I can’t help but mix my desk-job and household chores. Moreover, I mostly use my laptop for watching movies has totally exhausted the device with my daily use.
But beyond the minor stumbles, I learned that being an IT worker, I have the privilege of not only holding on to my job but also my full salary, that sets my work profile apart from many others. I realized, that we can functionally work from home, arranging desktops and proper workstations to account for it, things can shape up for good, the commuters rush and morning crowds can be reduced, there may be less pollution, there can be saved time, reduced amounts of late comings, and many other benefits.
Finally, Thanks To Digital Conveniences, The Future Seems To Be Online
This not really a life lesson, but something to build our conscience, that turns up our durability towards the unprecedented times. It is easier to seek help, to extend help and to get in touch with loved ones through a small device. It is a realization, that internet or the smartphone is more like a utility like Electricity and Water Supply. And to be able to be connected with the world. How we happen to use this power, is about our distinction and dignity. And it is also a fact, that if we are ever deprived of internet supply, it can be just well a deprivation of our fundamental right.