LESSONS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN

Humanity at present is facing one of the biggest crises of modern history due to the infestation of COVID-19. Scientists all over the world are working day and night to develop a vaccine or medicine to contain the disease which has engulfed 205 countries of the world as of now. The social distancing of 1-1.5 meters from person to person, along with quarantine and isolation measures wherever necessary, are some of the measures that are being used to gain some measure of control over the situation. But the most important part of this ordeal is how it’s affecting the behavioural patterns of society at large. People have been forced to being confined to their residence, leaving behind all regular activities. Now one can give sufficient time for one’s family members and also contact their distant relatives and friends as well. One can develop new habits, of reading books, playing indoor games, taking up cooking, practising yoga, etc., or rediscover long lost old hobbies that were waylaid by the wears of a busy modern life. It is likely that even when the pandemic is controlled and life returns to normal, we can see a great extent of life and habits under lockdown continuing in some form. Physical distancing will remain a habit for some time to come. How this plays out in a non-locked-down life is yet to be seen. A wider appreciation of cleanliness is also in the cards for the foreseeable future. Of course, the fact that we are creatures of habit means that we will at some point start slipping up, forgetting the harsh lessons that this pandemic is teaching us in time.

Certainly, we all wish to return to a time of normalcy but we must not forget that our habits often leave us but a step away from disaster in this fast-paced, interconnected world and often its dumb luck that keeps us safe. If there is anything to learn here, its that we cannot take the continuity of our modern ways for granted.

.... ABU NASAR MOHAMMAD SALEH via email