Seniors enforce strict lockdown at home

Couples share work, learn new skills while trying to keep family safe

In the days when people sneak out despite the lockdown, some families have stayed at home and observed all the norms. In some cases, a strict word from seniors has helped. The case of I. Vasantha, a 73-year-old grandmother, is one such.

“On day one of the lockdown, I made it clear that no one will step out of the house except one person,” said Vasantha, wife of I. Venkateshwar Rao, a retired manager at Indian

Airlines, who lives with her family in Prakash Nagar in Begumpet.

“Everyone listens to what I tell them to do, including my sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren,” she said.

“I made sure that just one of my sons went out on chores, only to buy what was needed for home in case no vendors come to our area,” Vasanta said.

Safety for her and her family has been a priority. “Every fruit or vegetable we buy and other goods, we keep them out in the sun for a while and then wash them properly,” she said.

For Parankush and Swetha, a young couple with two kids, living in Aparna Cyber Zone, Nallagandla, the lockdown has been a period of collaboration, learning and exploring what they could do as a family. Parankush who works for a private financial company, and his wife, have been dividing work at home equally. Whether it is mopping the floor, washing dishes or clothes or cooking, the couple say they have found a rhythm that works well for them.

It was during this lockdown the couple celebrated two major events — Swetha’s birthday on March 26 and their wedding anniversary on May 14. Both events were celebrated with friends and family online.

“We used Zoom to celebrate. But we baked cases and this lockdown has helped us discover things we could do. I have learnt how to cook many dishes and the children have become more creative than ever with their art work,” Parankush said. “I have been posting my cooking online to share with friends. The lockdown has given more time to spend with family. This is something I guess we will be telling our grandchildren about,” Swetha said.

In the case of Yvette who returned to Hyderabad in 2013 after working for many years in Bahrain, the lockdown has been a period of discovery just watching her son take to cooking. “Whenever we needed something, we had our watchman from the apartment we live in do the shopping. Grocery packets are kept outside for a few hours, than sprayed with sanitiser,” she said.

“Most of the day is spent keeping the house spick and span and the rest trying out cooking of new dishes. “My son who never knew anything about cooking, now can cook so many things,” she said.

A retired superintendent from Osmania General hospital, Dr K. Sanjeevi, said it was very important for senior citizens to follow lockdown and social distancing measures properly. “My son is a doctor too,” Dr Sanjeevi said adding: “We know how important social distancing at this point of time is. Both I and my wife are senior citizens and we follow all the precautions religiously.”