COVID and new lifestyle has taught the importance of hygiene. India, with dense population, hygiene, frequent hand wash, avoid touching face, may go a long way in enclosing spread of any infections.
As the number of COVID -19 cases and deaths have constantly rising all over the world, social isolation has turn out to be a new lifestyle with schools and colleges being shut and offices have opted for work from home. In the opening it was like a dream come true – family time, no school and no office to disturb the togetherness.
But now, shutting of school is a major displeasure for kids. Parents are afraid, because their wards are in front of screen for entertainment more than their usual quota. Meetings have been moved to virtual space as travelling is not worthwhile. Gyms, clubs, swimming pools and all other shared social spaces are either being shut or having low turnout.Those who are venturing out are forced to stay safe.
Home is the world– the social isolation
Now home is the world. The social isolation has made problematic– leading to disappointment, as there is little for other entertainment. The condition is specifically serious for people with elders and children at home, as they are equally vulnerable and want attention.Older people are even postponing routine check-ups.
Earlier parents had the option of enrolling their wards for activity classes during vacations but now left without that option. Instead schools are conducting virtual classes and assignments are additional task and responsibility of parents.
Surrounding uncertainty and isolation is making people angry, irritated,restless and stressed, especially people with psychological problems. I have received grievances of people even losing sleep. Children may be more distressed as they don’t comprehend the condition wholly, but can understand that something is wrong.
Of course people needs little time to get through this. Accept this new thing – work from home, personal and social space as normality. In truth, some of them are trying to remain positive and doing things normally.Technology is also coming in hand, in particular video calls.
Importance of hygiene
Adopting regular routine will be useful. Waking up at usual time,dress up for work, checking mails, meetings over phone and video chat may solve problems to some extent. But the flipside of work from home is portraying the difference between private and professional time. People are actually ending up with long working hours.
No one is sure and have an answer for a question – how long it will take to defeat coronavirus completely? Month?Couple of months? Will it change human habits?It will definitely take a time to pick up, from where the people are left off before the arrival of COVID -19.
The one thing pandemic taught us is the importance of hygiene. India, with dense population, hygiene, frequent hand wash, avoid touching face, may go a long way in enclosing spread of any infections.
Mrs. D.A. Kalpaja
Chairperson
Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre
