Lockdown blues

The year 2020 has no doubt been an exceptional year, mostly for the wrong reasons. I say mostly , since there are positives which simply get lost in the sea of sufferings. Most people would call it a nightmare, terror or an absolute horror story, yet it did have it’s blessings.

Now that it’s almost a year since the virus first struck, it’s time for stock taking.

What is common sense for domestic finances works exactly opposite for national economies. When a household faces shortage of resources, the members tighten their belts; bite the bullet; conserve all resources. When national GDPs go down, countries need to spend like there is no tomorrow, to get back on the rails. The economies that are sustained on consumption stories simply collapsed. 

When all manufacturing and services came to a standstill, nation wide, the governments pump in more cash into the system and actually encourage people to spend. The finance minister withdraws tax exemptions for savings and companies give incentives for spending ( mercifully nature’s wheel kept moving and the grains continue to be produced in the fields; no lock down there)

It’s like a bicycle ride; you stop and you fall.

Jobs suddenly evaporated; the stock markets crashed. Rental values came down and yet the jobless couldn’t even pay minimum rents. People rushing towards the cities were running away from the cities.

Amidst all this there were some blessings too.

1. 1. 1. People realised that health was more important than money or say, health insurance.

      2. There was a pause on meaningless consumerism.

      3. For a short period home cooking was back. Though swiggy and Zomato soon invaded the eating out space, even in smaller towns.

      4. Many people found time for hobbies like painting or creative writing.

      5. Many companies realised that they could do without physical meetings or expensive out station seminars.

      6. Consumers have realised that e-commerce is a great alternative to brick and mortar stores. As it happened the mom and pop stores in the neighborhood started taking orders on WhatsApp! Many of these measures will continue for good.

      7. Doctors started providing remote consultancy. Pharmacists were providing medicines at your door step.

      8. Army CSD canteens started providing 'shopping by appointment' services which is definitely more efficient and more convenient.

      9. Quality of air and water improved in cities though the respite was short-lived. But atleast the younger generation had an idea as to how blue the sky could be. With some kind of planned , voluntary lock down the environment can be improved.

      10. Any activity, commercial or otherwise that does not require huge gatherings, became popular. It is not just commercial activities, but even literary meetings and on line chess started 'zooming'. People from remote areas or people with mobility issues could fully participate in many events.

      11. The idea of hygiene got a new meaning. One wonders why we have been exchanging virus, less harmful may be, among ourselves through handshakes, hugs  or air kisses. The idea of pollution through saliva does make sense. Imagine a cricket ball liberally coated with the inputs from all fielders!

      12. The ideas of preventive measures, immunity build up etc that had been pushed back by strong medicines and the "omnipotent, omniscient practitioners of modern medicine" are getting back their rightful place in health care. This one year with too many contradictory statements from the scientific fraternity has amply brought out that that man has a long way to go , on acquiring knowledge of what goes on , inside his own body.

The virus or just the fear of virus has helped conduct many experiments that would not have been possible in normal times.

The online aspect of every process or activity has been fully tested out; be it e-payments, online learning , work from home, remote medical consultancy or online chess tournaments

Here was one golden chance to say my e-way or high way and the public, rather than protesting, would readily comply due to the fear of Corona rather than ‘The Crown’ or God.

Whenever there is a new challenge , strong people come out stronger ! Individually and collectively there are many practices , that have been evolved as anti-covid measures , but are worth following in normal times.

Hopefully, there are some lessons learnt that would improve the quality of life (not to be mistaken for standard of living) in future years.