Enakshi rues about the foolhardiness of people and the flouting of all cautions during the Coronavirus pandemic. An exclusive for Different Truths.

While all the other nations are praising my country for lifting the export ban on many generic drugs, I am still wondering how much my fellow citizens have understood the implications of this pandemic. Yesterday, I had to go to the market to buy some groceries. When I entered one of the shops, I ensured that I did not touch everything. I picked what I needed. Then something bizarre happened when I went near the freezer to grab a packet of frozen peas. A middle-aged gentleman came and stood beside me. Assuming that he was waiting for me to finish picking the packet, I stepped aside. But he kept staring at me.

While all the other nations are praising my country for lifting the export ban on many generic drugs, I am still wondering how much my fellow citizens have understood the implications of this pandemic.

Upon gesturing and asking what he wanted, he signalled towards the door of the fridge.

‘What happened?’ I asked in a muffled voice. The mask didn’t let clear words come out of my mouth.

‘Can you please open the door? I can’t open it,’ he said.

‘I don’t see your hands busy. Why don’t you use your hands for this?’ I queried.

‘You have already touched it, so you can touch it again and open it for me.’

Had my husband been there with me at that moment, he would have nipped the matter in the bud by opening the door and letting the man take what he wanted.

Had my husband been there with me at that moment, he would have nipped the matter in the bud by opening the door and letting the man take what he wanted. But the hot-headed woman that I am, I couldn’t let him go.

‘Sir, that’s the lamest excuse I have heard lately. The chances of getting an infection are equal whether you touch the door or not. You are anyway going to pick up the packet of peas, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, but that’s frozen. The virus cannot withstand sub-zero temperature.’

‘Were you away with the fairies for some time or did the Director-General of WHO share this salient piece of information with you?’ I gibed.

‘My friend is a doctor. He forwarded a message on Whatsapp. Can you please open the door, now?’

‘No. I cannot,’ I chortled.

We believe anything and everything without verifying the authenticity of the information. Sadly, we pass on the same information to other oblivious people and the cycle goes on and on.

His annoyance seemed no bounds. I left from there but that encounter left me thinking about how misplaced our notions are. We believe anything and everything without verifying the authenticity of the information. Sadly, we pass on the same information to other oblivious people and the cycle goes on and on. When our Prime Minister asked us to ring bells in the honour of those who are working day and night to serve us, some intellectuals confirmed that sound vibrations kill the virus. When our Prime Minister asked us all to light lamps, another set of scholars confirmed that the virus cannot survive at high temperature. When 130 candles are lit together, the temperature will rise by 9 degrees and thus, it will die by 9:09 PM. Imagine people going doolally like this and following advice that comes from the University of Whatsapp!

Surprisingly, when the whole world is battling to invent a vaccine that can take down Coronavirus, some experts are boasting about their half-baked knowledge. It flatters their vanity to think that by going out on the roads and lighting firecrackers, they are contributing to society.

My area, even though it comprises of selectively social people, is bustling with the noise of the two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws. There is no respite from the noise or air pollution at all. My neighbours do not come back to their house for two to three days and then when they come, they are adorned in pandemic-prevention gear.

My area, even though it comprises of selectively social people, is bustling with the noise of the two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws. There is no respite from the noise or air pollution at all. My neighbours do not come back to their house for two to three days and then when they come, they are adorned in pandemic-prevention gear. The whole day, the vendors can be seen shouting their head off, selling vegetables and fruits at a higher price. In spite of the time limit, people footslog around the shops. Is this how we plan on fighting the virus by flouting all rules and concocting theories that are scientifically and logically incorrect?

Spending time indoors has become such a difficult task for most people that they are finding excuses to step out. While at the shops, they take down their mask to communicate with the shopkeeper, they use their hands to touch the items and then wipe the sweat that trickles down their forehead. They are hoarding things as if an apocalypse is on the way. Even when they are trying to help others, they are making videos so that they can spread ‘awareness’. I fail to understand the mentality and the motive behind this kind of behaviour. In the process of evolution, have we forgotten to be disciplined and follow instructions that are necessary for our survival?

Photo from the Internet