Page 32 - Resurrection Magazine

Chronic Corona Days and me....

n Gopika Prakash
ockdown - It was on the evening of the 23 of January that I first saw this
Lword flashing on a news bulletin, totally unaware of what it meant. After a
few days, videos from Wuhan (China) began to pour in. I saw people locked up
in their apartments, crying and begging for help. Like everyone around the globe,
I also felt pity for them. And now within a short span of four months, the same
fate befell me!
The month of March was a mess for us. Assignments, seminars, Lab journal
production, internal exams, University Arts fest and last but not the least the
most awaited department tour program. Thankfully, everything went well,
until March 23. The Chief Minister announced the news imposing a complete
lockdown across the state, which has been extended till now.

During the first phase of lockdown, I was very happy at the thought that I had
escaped from my busy daily life schedule with no university exams to fear and
free time at home. It was a wonderful time, watching movies and series till late
nights - waking up at noon became a part of my daily routine.
Soon after one month, everything seems to change upside down. Time
and memory seemed to have lost all its meaning. Days began to feel empty, a
feeling of loneliness and depression popped out within me, doing nothing all
day long, staring at social media sites and TV screens. Various news regarding
the COVID-19 panic spreading across the globe and exponential rate of deaths
accelerated a sense of fear and panic in me. My heart craved to go back to my old
days.
Gradually I realised that happiness can only be found when I find peace in my
soul. Soon after that, I started to change my daily routines one by one. I began
listening to podcasts, read various books, tried to make new dishes at the kitchen,
gathered children from the neighbourhood to engage them in some outdoor
games and other activities. All those things worked out well for me to regain my
happiness. And I accepted the truth that nothing will go back to its old self.
I am sure that shortly we will get a new lease on life but that will not be the
old normal one that we once used to live. This time will be marked in history
as a major landmark as ‘world before Corona’ and ‘the world after Corona’. In
one way this microscopic virus is both a boon and bane to mankind. It gave us
time to think about ourselves and also Mother Nature. Nothing is permanent.
People from different spheres are facing various problems. Some of them don’t
have enough money to fulfil their daily necessities and for some others, they
are physically and mentally wrecked. What we can do is to lend a helping hand
for the needy whether it is in the form of money, food, a word or a smile. We
don’t know how long it will take to pass through this pandemic, but for now,
it is best to hope for a happy ending and live in the present. Try to enjoy every
single moment, always remember time and tide never waits for anyone, it flows
endlessly.

32 RESURRECTION