According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a lockdown is an official order to control the movement of people or vehicles because of a dangerous situation. During a lockdown, the public is restricted to leave their homes or travel freely except for essentials. The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of millions of people around the globe. Over 7,500 people have died of the pandemic in Nepal only.
Many parts of the world have undergone or been undergoing lockdown for months. In order to break the chain of infection of Covid-19, the Nepal government has also announced lockdown in various parts of the country depending on the number of active cases and death tolls. Schools, colleges, parks, hotels, restaurants, cinema halls and other public places where people are likely to make crowds have been closed. Social events, public gatherings, and other events that require a gathering of people have also been banned.
But, it is totally upon us whether we take this lockdown as an opportunity or a peril. Be it an opportunity or a peril, this definitely is a lesson also.
Opportunities
During this lockdown, many people are busy storing food items and medicines so that they will not have to come out when they need them. The lockdown has brought family members closer to each other as never before offering them ample time to laugh and cry together. They must have got a great opportunity to learn the importance of relationships being with their loved ones twenty-four-seven! Many people are spending a considerable amount of time on social media letting others know what they are doing, eating or going through.
Although people’s daily activities have been confined to their homes, teachers and lecturers are teaching their students from home. Fitness enthusiasts are engaging themselves in physical exercises, meditation and yoga as staying fit in this pandemic is an instant mantra to stress management. People have changed their eating habits; they have developed a habit of eating a healthy diet. The cleanliness of their surroundings has become one of their major concerns.
We cannot deny that our earth has got rid of pollutions and hustle and bustle of vehicles for quite some time.
Some have even finished reading a few novels and stories while others have got time to compose something of their interest.
Perils
But, being locked up in our homes for several weeks or months is not what we had ever thought of. It is not easy for those who are struggling financially. Has anyone thought about those homeless people who spend uncountable nights under the open sky? And, what about the elderly people who are living alone away from their children?
Not everyone can withstand this lockdown, especially those who earn their bread daily. Suicides by the impoverished might have grabbed everyone’s attention. Many people have lost their jobs because their employers could not pay them during the lockdown. Some have already seen pay cuts. Covid-19 crisis and the ongoing lockdown has left employees feeling anxious and worried about their future.
Children have become more addicted to mobile and video games because they do not have to go to school and are free from home assignments. This has resulted in a loss of their creativity and distraction from their study habits.
People suffering from chronic diseases have not visited their doctors for a long time, because of which their health condition is worsening every single day.
Global economic recession and increase in poverty level in society are some other serious concerns. This may lead to financial crises such as a decline in monetary values, share market values and businesses, changes in supply chain networks, and purchasing power of people. Despite the distribution of various relief packages by the government and other clubs and agencies, many have been left empty-handed and thus the real victims are suffering more.
Lessons
Every problem comes with an undisclosed lesson. All humans must have learnt a lesson from this pandemic that nothing is permanent. One’s riches and fame are never more important than their health.
This lockdown has taught us that humanity and compassion are two great virtues one should possess. We have learnt that being with our loved ones is a key to happiness. We have also come to know that we need less stuff than we think. As communities around the world are fighting the pandemic, one thing we have all learned is that cooperation matters. Only through group effort, can we do something to make a difference in the trajectory of a worldwide threat.
Now, we realise that not everyone has good health or healthcare, and many people are living on the edge of poverty. Some people have been forced to go to work despite the risks, and others are dying hapless deaths. That is why I hope we will hold on to that lesson after we leave our homes.
There is power in keeping in mind our common humanity and our sense of interconnection. If we also value the importance of our relationships, resilience, gratitude, and doing with less, we can move forward into our unsheltered lives again with a renewed sense of purpose and tackle some of our most difficult problems.
