An Ode to the Covid-19 Warriors & Victims

Another day, week, month – all gone within what feels like a blink of an eye. After all, with each moment seeming nearly identical to the one just passed by; sometimes we can’t help but wonder, whether it really is worth it to look forward towards a better future? For, lately with every ray of hope, there appears to be grim news lurking somewhere around the corner only further adding to a long list of adversities that each of us have encountered in a rather challenging year, to say the least.

It doesn’t matter who you speak to or what medium of social media you choose to browse through, unfortunately, you won’t find too much to smile about in the present day. While of course, there’ll be the odd instance of one hearing how mother nature is recovering, a highly vulnerable individual defying all odds and defeating the virus, the birth of a child, or in certain cases these lockdowns helping repair relationships; you’re most likely going to end up coming across some pretty depressing news.

Either it’ll be regarding a potential spike in Covid-19 cases, health care systems crumbling due to an immense pressure on them, organizations downsizing, families hanging on by a string for survival, there being complete chaos among students regardless of their schooling backgrounds, the fragility of education structures becoming more and more evident day by day, governments not sure how to deal with consistently increasing pressure on dealing with their lockdowns, sudden building collapses and explosion causing further pain and injury, and so much more – all culminating in painting quite a bleak picture overall; don’t you think?

Yet, in the midst of all this chaos; did we think about pausing, even if it was just for a moment, to reflect, and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of what let all this pandemonium loose to begin with? Did we even ponder once on what was the crucial factor that tipped an already overflowing cauldron? Or, did we just think that it was “cool” to blame a particular race of people by generalizing them to be the guilty party? For, whether we like to admit it or not, to a certain extent, we all have somewhat played a part in marginalizing this particular group from our society – simply because we think they were the ones responsible for this dreadful pandemic.

However, did it ever occur to us, that perhaps we all have some blame to share for the current state of the world; even if it’s only just a tad bit? It simply doesn’t make sense to put the entire onus of unleashing this Covid-19 wrath upon us on just one race or group of people. Or does it? In retrospect, there is always the chance, that perhaps our overall sense of negligence coupled with an extreme sense of entitlement of a few has been the primary driver leading us to this very situation.

But, with everything going on thanks to the ever deadly Covid-19 pandemic, that till date has somehow managed to keep the world hostage and at its mercy; who on Earth ever has time for such reflection? Although, ironically, perhaps, this is exactly what we need to do, collectively, to counter this madness that we find ourselves in.

After all, we need to realize that we’re all in this fight together! This, my friends, is undoubtedly the battle of the century, don’t you think?

Look around, and you’ll realize that it’s no longer just about a handful of people being affected. We must remember, that it is absolutely imperative that we don’t take Covid-19 lightly; nor, under any circumstance should we be the ones to lose hope in our battle against it. While, the actual picture is far, far gloomier than what we could have even thought of in our worst nightmares; through the cohesive implementation of a well thought out plan, instead of living in complete obliviousness, we can totally defeat it without having too many more causalities of war.

Yet, somehow, we simply opt not to; and would rather defy all logic only because it’s a more convenient course of action. And, to top it off, when our heads of state-enforced some safety measures upon us, rather than adhering to what they had or have to say; many of us find complaining about this being the demise of the democratic world as our preferred modus operandi. Interesting, isn’t it?

Although, considering the circumstances, in hindsight, you can’t help but applaud some of the stringent steps that they took; otherwise who knows how severe the repercussions could have been? One move in particular that really doesn’t get enough credit is how they immediately ensured that celebrations of all sorts around the globe were either called off completely, or, if possible, enjoyed in the virtual world – regardless of how big or small an occasion it may be including birthdays, weddings, religious festivals, academic achievements, election campaigns, the Olympics, or any other moment we would want to savor.

For, as frightening a thought as it sounds, there really is no other angle possible of looking at the current set of circumstances we find ourselves in. This Covid-19 doesn’t take gender, age, sect, financial status, and/or any other factors into account. It does NOT discriminate!

Thus, while medical personnel and their support staff including volunteers, delivery workers, philanthropists, and journalists, just to name a few, maybe at the front lines; we’ve got to back them up! Adhering to the suggested precautionary measures are of the utmost importance for the well-being of each and every one of us. There are no two ways about it! And there certainly is no room for compromise in this regard.

We need to now understand that it’s no longer about flattening the curve. The moment has come to obliterate it altogether. This dreaded pandemic has lingered on long enough! Or hasn’t it?

How much longer will we let the global economy function in a manner as if it’s surviving on a ventilator? How many more families will we see broken due to the demise of a loved one falling victim to this virus? For how many more days and weeks will we go on pretending to be ignorant of the impact it has had on not only our physical health; but also, our emotional and mental states?

Don’t you think that we all have a role to play as a global citizen? Why can we not for once put aside our differences, gel as a group, and do what is needed to rid the world of COVID-19? Why can we not understand that there are no shortcuts in defeating this pandemic, or any other ailment for that matter? So, why do we have the urge to try and cheat our way out of something that is beyond our control and not respect those who have a certain level of understanding along with the expertise to guide us towards the light?

Even though we are seeing on a daily, if not, hourly basis of the way this virus has unleashed its fury upon our very existence; it really is incomprehensible of how we choose not to pay heed to the advice given to us by organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) and other medical personnel – who, just by the way, are individuals with families of their own.

And, it’s not like they are asking us to move mountains. All they are requesting is for us to pay a slight bit of attention to some extremely simple SOPs (standard operating procedures) to stay safe from getting Covid-19. Wear a mask when heading out, limit your gatherings, don’t go gallivanting around town until necessary, maintain social distancing when in contact with others, sneeze and/or cough in your elbow crease, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, keep away from physical contact, and last, but not least, avoid any form of stigmatization.

I truly do believe that all of the above sounds easy enough for each of us to follow. Doesn’t it? Yet, for some reason only known to us, we choose not to. For a change, instead of finding ourselves trapped within this strange predicament brought about by the Covid-19 just because we don’t want to change our ways; how about we actually give something new a shot? Perhaps, just momentarily, if not more, stop complaining, or even wishing to return to the old normal? Not that it did not have its fair of drawbacks, right?

So, how about we change our course of action a tad? Get our game plan sorted, our strategies planned? Let’s march forward with the guidance of the commanders and chiefs of this superly grueling crusade, and work collaboratively. Let’s #DARETOEMAGINE innovative, yet pragmatic ways of creating a new, and much better normal, where we find ourselves at complete ease in co-existing with not just each other; but also, other species who call this planet home. Hence, enabling each of us to enjoy our time left out here in a manner that it should be; instead of staying in quarantine, feeling so bummed out, and being terribly uncertain of our futures.

With all said and done, it never really is too late to start afresh. Thus, all that remains to be seen is, when are we ready to do so, and take that leap of faith towards building what we hope will be a better and brighter future?

By Huda Garib

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