A little piece of hope - Quarantine #21daystogo #Lockdown

Dear World, 

It still feels weird to believe.

Many are still not aware of how badly they’re risking their lives.

A lot of you panicked, most of you are worried.

Many are stuck at chaotic places, many are dying to be with the ones they love.

There’s you who’ve found a family in a room full of strangers, there are those who are not relieved with the virtual hugs and tears they are only able to receive over a video call.

I said no to share my wi-fi because 'work' and what about MY JOB? Hello, I also am on Work From Home.

But there are people sharing the last piece of bread they are left with because humanity comes first.

Yes! We are facing a situation that 99% of us have only seen in movies or have heard from our grandparents, maybe. And while I write this, I have researched on the age that an average human these days lives for. 72.2 years it is (as per wiki). And then there are those lives that haven’t yet completed a decade in this world and are at most risk because doctors and internet and researchers and medical practitioners say that kids under 10 are at risk because of immunity issues. But we also have our grandparents and parents and uncles and aunts who’re close to the age that an average human lives for and we’re afraid of losing them. We are still taking care of them the most because 'Love'. <3

And while I say it, we are at no less risk if we don’t stay aware, alert and follow the legible instructions as given by experts. 

We are facing a pandemic and we have no idea how long it’s going to take to end this. Most of us are no experts, we can’t even be 100% sure if the sanitizer that we are using day and night is worth it. We don’t know the When(s) and Why(s) and for how long can we use a certain type of mask. All we know is ‘Oh god! I managed to order my N95 mask’ like it’s a magic drug that’s going save the world. We are of no use to the medical research industry, we are of no use to the patients because not everyone can pitch in to let’s just say – nursing. 

  

But the most that we can do and must do at this time is to stay in our own space. Quarantine it is. And while I ask you to maintain social distancing, I request you to be there with the ones who need us over a call or a text. All we can do is ignore all the supposedly knowledgeable articles or sometimes memes and all those WhatsApp shared texts unless we have done our bit of research on it. Let’s not blindly follow anything and everything that we’re asked to. Let’s be a little aware, wash our hands timely (because the researchers recommended so), use a sanitizer (let’s assume that we all have a good and useful one at our homes), allow our house helps to also stay at their homes, help out moms or guardians with any or every kind of help that they need from us, avoid eating junk, cut variations from our meals, eat decent fulfilling food because we don’t know how long this lockdown is gonna last and just pray that the world heals soon and we win over this teeny tiny virus that’s giving each one of us nightmares.

Let’s hope it will be over soon. 

Nothing’s gonna happen to our jobs. And even if something bad happens, remember - जान है तो जहान है!

Let’s fight back the 'non-violent way'. Let’s not panic, let’s be a ray of hope for people who need us. 

Things are going to turn much worse, be ready for it. Be emotionally strong. 

Pray for world health. Pray for the loved ones who are away from home. Pray that they find a home away from home. 

Cut down 100% on wasting food and basic necessities of life because you have no idea who’s dying because you wasted a piece of bread yesterday. 

Eat healthy, save up most your salary this month for situations may turn worse. This is not a time to shop every useless thing because ‘Hey, I won’t be using my salary this month because #lockdown’. 

And maybe what everyone’s out there is saying that this is nature’s way of bringing all of us on the right track is right. Maybe life’s giving all of the stressed souls a chance to rejuvenate and work on their hobbies. Maybe life’s giving us a chance to ignore our pets a little less for a few days of WFH that we’ve all got. Maybe life’s giving us a chance to talk to our parents like we used to when we were kids, listen to their stories, bringing up-to-date with what happened to you four months, 15 days, 13.5 hours before on how that bitch at work took advantage of you being a sweetface. Maybe mother Earth is truly getting a good time healing itself. Those dolphins coming back to Italy might be a fake news, but the low pollution levels (if at ‘al this one’s true news) will definitely help the planet heal. 

Stay aware, stay happy and stay safe and remember – This too shall pass. 

Love and hope, 

Mani

PS: I might be writing a little frequently for a few days. Keep checking for hope. :)