From Lockdown 1.0 to Unlock 1.0

After experiencing 4 versions of lockdown with lot restriction and hardships, government has finally introduced unlock 1.0 version to bring the economy back to tracks. Starting June 1^st 2020, strategies of unlock has been implemented to ease major chuck of restrictions barring few to get people‘s life back to normal. Can we lead the same life, we led before lockdown 1.0? I doubt we can

Lockdown 1.0 was announced in the nick of time and people had no time to either understand or embrace lockdown, I was no exception either as it was my first experience of lockdown like many others. I was under the assumption that life will be back to normal after lockdown 1.0 but I was totally wrong.

Lockdown 1.0 was the scariest for me as I was all alone in my flat and I didn’t know how to deal with it? First, it was announced all of a sudden and I didn’t know what’s in store for me, as there was lot of confusion due to lack of clarity on the entire situation. What I feared the most that I may not be able to get veggies and my drinking water can, clubbed with the feeling of being under house arrest.

First week was very difficult for me especially during evening time till I started to sit in the balcony for an hour to ease off anxiety. Fortunately I had milk and a vegetable shop, just next to my building so I didn’t had to worry about them but was really skeptical to step out of my building to buy them. By second week I had no option but to come out of my building to buy milk and vegetables.

Towards of end of lockdown 1.0, I had adjusted with the current situation and made changes in my life style too. So when lockdown 2.0 was announced I was least effected, as I knew it would happen and the learning’s of lockdown 1.0 came handy to me.  I ordered grocery from Flipkart as I was about run out of few of them and visit to any supermarket to buy them was a distant dream then.

Then lockdown 3.0 came with some relaxations and few shops opened in my locality, major attraction of 3.0 was the opening up of liquor shop. Huge queues were seen in front of liquor shops for almost a week and stocks were replenished quickly to meet the growing demand. Life started to get normal in this lockdown as nearby vegetable market opened again, with more vendors and options for vegetables this time.

Finally lockdown 4.0 was announced which gave more respite to people and shops. All shops were thrown open for people along with considerable ease in movement of people within the city. It was in this version of lockdown that I visited supermarket to buy some house hold stuff. I still remember how terrified I was, to step out of house to buy things but I had no option,  as I was not convinced, with the offering of online stores so visit was mandatory.  This trip eased my fear to a great extent but also forced me to believe that, I have to live with corona now.

During these four versions of lockdown, countries economy was badly hit and the way forward was grim too, due the virus situation and steep rise in cases. Government had also run out of money to meet the growing demand of treatment of corona positive patient’s in hospitals. More versions of lockdown will only add to the misery of the people and nothing else, so government decided to initiate the process to revive the economy.

Unlock 1.0 was the first step towards revival of Indian economy and to reinstate normalcy back to people’s life. There are still few restrictions which people have to abide by like masks in public places, use of sanitizers and physical distancing ruling the chart.

I waited all this while for unlock 1.0 but today when it has become a reality and I am still scared to step out of my house except for necessities. I don’t think life will ever be normal unless vaccine is found and people are injected with it. Corona induced fear and stigma is hard to leave the minds of people anytime soon is what I think.

Irresistible offers on groceries at Flipkart

I have been buying groceries from DMart and veggies from More all this while before the implementation of lockdown in India, while most of my friends resorted to online platform I was happy visiting stores and buying things myself. I felt connected to my purchases, if they are hand-picked by me. It may sound weird but I am like that.

But with lockdown in place, I doubt I can visit any of those supermarkets soon so I decided to buy groceries online like my friends. Since it was my first online grocery shopping expedition so I decided do some research online to grab some amazing deals online as DMart has pampered us with their irresistible deals through their retail stores all this while.

Soon I figured out that Flipkart is offering great deals in grocery purchases, they were almost similar to DMart’s offer, this revelation was little shocking for me, so I decided to test it myself. I added all grocery items required by me to the cart and when I was about to place my order an, offer caught my attention which was too good to be true. It was for 1rs, I can buy 1kg rice and 500gms toor dal each but I can only buy 1 quality of each of them so I bought them for 2rs flat.

(We have buy groceries minimum for 500rs for Flipkart to deliver it to us. If we order above 1000rs delivery is free else need to pay 50rs towards delivery charges)

I ordered all the items on Friday 1^st may 2020 late evening, after spending almost an hour in identifying best offers for my purchases. In order to complete the order I had to make the payment in advance, which I did promptly and my order was processed with the delivery date being 4^th May 2020. I was given the option to select delivery slot and I opted for 7.30 am – 12.30 am slot.

On 4^th May 2020, sharp at 8 am I received a call from my Flipkart delivery agent enquiring about the address and he requested me to stand at the entrance of my building with carry bags to collect the items. After 10 mins delivery van came in front of my building and the delivery guy push a cart towards him and filled my bags with the items ordered by me.

Back in my room, I checked all my items with the order placed by me, it was perfect.  I wanted to check the quality of items I ordered for 1rs in specific and I was surprised to see the price tags on them, they all were highly priced. Both rice and dal came in good packing with product information along with seller’s details. I should say this was best offer I have got so far from any online platform.

I wanted cornflakes of a particular brand and I was unable to find it at most online shopping portals and the ones which had them did give any lucrative offers but I found same brand’s cornflakes at 50% discount in flipkart, another striking deal.

I was so mesmerized by the amazing deals and prompt delivery by Flipkart, that I informed most of friends about Flipkart’s amazing offers clubbed with my personal experience, that my friends decided to check Flipkart once before placing their grocery orders.

Few of them called me back to say “Thanks” as they were able to get good offers at Flipkart and have saved money, through which they will treat me once the lockdown ceases. Most of my friends tried the 1rs offer out of curiosity can are happy with products delivered to them.

Big thanks to Flipkart, for pampering us with amazing deals during this pandemic situation, when they are overburdened with orders along with logistical issues. Special thanks, to Flipkart’s delivery team who is on road endangering their lives for our safety and for us to remain at home only.

How to overcome the stigma attached to Corona?

Corona pandemic has brought the whole world to stand still with countries across globe in lockdown mode, in order to contain the spread of virus and also to reduce the rate of fatalities. But while executing lockdown and forcing people to adhere the norm, governments failed to impart proper education to the masses about corona and few things attached to it, as a result of people developed their own theories which has now become stigma attached to covid patients and for the people treating them. I would call it failure of communication machinery while focusing only on one aspect ie controlling the spread of the disease but ignoring the aspect of educating people about the disease too.

This stigmatic situation has lead to lot of problems, like doctors and nurses treating covid patients were not welcomed back to their houses, some nurses were even forced to vacate their accommodation. But government agencies and few Samaritans came to the rescue of health workers and offered them shelter and food. Now government has collaborated with hotels and lodges for the accommodation along with food for health workers. Doctors and nurses can stay here peacefully without any threat to their lives.

Due to the humiliation of covid 19, people are reluctant to come forward to testing or share their contact tracking details with health official because they fear for the well-being of the members, they have come in contact with and this is posing as a big challenge for the agencies.

A doctor, who died in line of duty while treating Covid patients in Chennai, was denied burial in his locality and he was buried at far off place mush against his last wish. Now this doctor’s wife has appealed to the state government as well as the Supreme Court to honor the last wish of her deceased husband. Even crematoriums are refusing to cremate dead bodies of covid patients, another challenge for authorities.

Even people who have defeated Covid and are back home, their neighbors or society members are still reluctant to talk or keep any kind of contact with them, as if they don’t exist for them. This is also posing as a challenge for the authorities.

It is now that the government has realized about the challenges faced by them due to the stigma attached to covid and its lack of awareness among masses, coupled with lot of other issues which may crop up over time. Officials have now decided to address this issue on priority to stop the growth of covid stigma along with disease.

Recently a high rise apartment in Mumbai shed off the stigma of covid patient and welcomed a covid recovered patient back to their society amidst clapping and even shared the video on social media. While doing so, the norm of physical distancing was adhered to, as precaution is better than cure.

Now with plasma therapy in place, I think more people will shed their inhibition towards covid recovered patients as people will need the blood of cured patients to beat the disease which can bring some respite to people fighting the disease. Even the survival stories of cured patients will be inspirational for all those who are fighting with the disease in hospitals.

Corona patients have already suffered a lot because of the disease now they want our love and compassion, so let’s give it to them in abundance. So together let’s just shed out the stigma attached to covid and spread love and harmony in these testing times.

Life in rural and urban India during lockdown

People usually want to live in big cities where they have easy access to amenities through which they can lead a comfortable life, in comparison to villages where life is still lagging behind when compared to cities. But lockdown has reversed the thought of people residing in urban area towards rural parts of the country, wondering HOW? Let me tell brief it through few pointers

Living space

I live in my modest apartment in Bangalore and my only connect to outside world is through my balcony, every day I spend an hour in evening sitting there to experience nature.

My parents back in Kerala can walk around the house or the road just in front of house and can enjoy nature to the fullest. They have more access to greenery and fresh air than me, I so wish at times that I could be with them during lockdown.

Stepping out of home

Since Big Basket ditched me, I have to step out of my house once in a week to stock up veggies for the week, in order to follow the norms of lockdown and stop the spread of virus.

My parents haven’t stepped out of their house to buy veggies as they have grown some in our house and rest are given to them by their neighbors, which are also home grown. They have access to organic veggies which I don’t have and I have less option for veggies too here in Bangalore.

Spread of Virus

Cases are increasing in cities due population congestion, as people stay in close proximity with each other which increases the chances of spreading the virus.

Cases are declining in rural India and in places, life has returned to normalcy in comparison to their counterparts in urban India.  Pathanamthitta was one of the worst affected districts during corona outbreak in Kerala, has now returned to normalcy. Pathanamthitta graduated from red zone to orange zone and is slowly progressing towards green zone.

Containment Zones

Containment zones are places, where people have been detected by Covid 19 and their localities have been sealed to control the spread of virus

.

Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Bhopal are few of the cities where containment zones have been created and more cities are joining this list with each passing week.

I doubt anyone of us have heard about containment zones in rural areas, I hope it continues that way.

Jobs stability

None of us can predict what awaits us after lockdown is lifted but few people in cities might lose their job or have to undergo pay cut.

In villages many people are self-employed so chances of them loosing job is very fragile.

When lockdown was announced people rushed to their home towns rather from hometown to cities that itself tells the tale.

Dissimilarities between Bigg Boss and Lockdown

Most of us are an avid fan of the reality show Bigg Boss, where few people stay in a luxurious house for over 90 days and do certain tasks ordered by Bigg Boss to entertain the audience. During their stay in house, these celebs are cut off from the rest of the world and have to do all household chores by themselves. Weekly elimination is conducted based on the performance of the participants and only one person emerges as the winner of the show. Since lockdown was announced many people considered it to be similar to the reality show but there are lots of dissimilarity between the two like.

Housemates

In Bigg Boss contestants share the house will people who are complete strangers to us and have no clue about their personality or habits. It leads to adjustment issues and fights which sometime blow out of proportion.

In lockdown we are in our houses with our family members whom we know well which enhance out comfort level and reduce chances of fights.

Connectivity with outside world

In Bigg Boss house participants don’t have access to mobile phone, TV or newspaper, so they aren’t aware about happening of outside world.

In lockdown we have access to mobile phone, TV and newspaper which keeps us updated about the happenings of the pandemic globally as well with our family and friends.

In-house supply of essential commodities

All essential commodities like groceries, veggies, fruits required by the inmates for a week is provided by Bigg Boss free of cost in Bigg Boss house.

During lockdown people can either rely on online delivery or step out to nearest grocery shops to buy essential commodities and YES they have to pay for these purchases.

24*7 under camera

Bigg Boss house have numerous cameras which captures all activities of house members during their stay in that house, even when they are sleeping.

I doubt anyone of us would have installed CCTV to cover all activities being conducted in our house, if so, bedroom will be spared for sure.

Get paid

All inmates of Bigg Boss house are paid a fixed amount to for their presence in the house.

During lockdown we are not being paid anything additional other than salaries credited by the employer of salaried class.  Businessmen and freelancers are surviving on their saving as the economy has come to standstill now.

So be cautious next time, when you compare lockdown to stay in Bigg Boss house.

Challenges of Migrant workers

From the moment lockdown has been announced in India, migrant workers are one who have been most affected by it. Initially nation wasn’t aware of their plight but when news channels featured their stories, we came to know about their challenges which were not only nerve gripping but emotionally draining too. Thousands of laborers took to the roads to march to their hometowns, which were hundreds of kilometers away, as they didn’t had money and food to survive through the lockdown period. For them death was inevitable either by Covid or by starvation, hence the exodus of migrant workers began.

Taking stock of situation government agencies flung into action to provide both food and shelter to migrant workers, NGOs across India too came out in support of migrant workers to provide them with meals. Joined efforts of both government and NGOs yielded result and exodus of migrant workers stopped. But after the extension of lockdown, things took ugly turn when migrant workers took to the roads in Mumbai, Gujarat and other parts of the country. Migrant workers are being criticized widely in social media for their act but let’s take moment to understand the reason of their act and then reach to any conclusion.

Food

Without food and water neither human beings nor animals will survive for long, that’s one of the concerns of migrant workers as they aren’t sure of whether they will get their next meal or not? Migrant workers are being fed with two meals a day, one in afternoon then at night, that too with no assurance when it will stop. There are times when some of them retire to bed empty stomach too.

If migrant workers are assured of seamless supply of food and water all throughout the lockdown period, things will be better for them as their major concern for survival will come to an end.

Wages

Most migrant workers are paid wages on daily basis, i.e. they get money only for the days they are at work and not for non-working days. Now with lockdown in place migrant workers are not sure, will they be paid wages or not? Most of them have run out of their savings now, while others don’t even have single penny with them. With no surety about wages or revival of work, workers are worried about their livelihood and of their family members who are dependent on them for monetary support.

If clear guidelines are passed to the migrant workers about what lies ahead for them after the lockdown, focusing mainly on their wages and chances of employment, anxiety of workers will be reduced considerably.

Shelter

With lockdown in place, many migrant workers have taken refuge in under construction buildings or in make shift arrangement done by their employers. But all these places lack electricity, sanitation and hygiene which irritates the laborers more and they do the unexpected by getting on to the roads.   

If migrant workers are provided better living conditions, then they might stay back at their place.

This is the time when we should try to spread harmony among masses and not hatred, migrant workers also form a part of it. So let’s all of us join our hands together to comfort the plight of migrant workers to make them feel more safe and secure in which ever city they are.

My first visit to Supermarket during lockdown

Before PAN India lockdown I bought most of the groceries to sustain for a month barring few things, which I thought could be purchased later on as usual. So now during lockdown I am having a smooth sail and with a veggie shop close to my place, I don’t have to think much about them either along with milk.

But there are few things which I can’t get at the shops near my house, which made it important for me to visit the nearest supermarket close to my place.  I ran out of sauces, spices, coffee powder and few other item kitchen items. With no other option in hand I decided to visit the supermarket, for a change ditched my vehicle and went on foot, it will suffice for my cardio too.

Towards the entrance of the supermarket, there were few people standing in queue, all following the norms of physical distancing. All of them were in their face mask and gloves, for a moment all seemed like surgeons barring their white aprons. Staff at supermarket allowed very few people to go inside and do the purchases at a time. I think it’s due to crisis situation now that people were quick with their purchases and were out of the facility.

Before my entry to the store, I was asked to sanitize my hand and get in, for a moment I couldn’t believe I was in a supermarket. My last visit to supermarket was a day before the lockdown, very long period for a person like me, who frequents supermarket often, once a week is mandatory.

Most things had run out of stock at the store, like Maggi, frozen peas, ice cream, butter, brown bread and sauces, I think production and distribution issue. For a moment I thought my visit to the place had gone vain, till I found 250ml bottles of sauces, it was great relief for me. I picked one bottle each of chilli and tomata sauce, along with some biscuits, spices and curd. I didn’t find soya sauce, Maggie and brown bread, was little disappointed but in this situation can’t complain about it.

At the billing counter, I witnessed few people have stacked their trollies with things as if the store won’t open the next day, panic buying. I think I was the only person to buy bare minimum things actually required by me currently.  After clearing the bill, I exited the facility to walk back home to be in quarantine again. All throughout my entry and exit to the store, I maintain physical distancing and didn’t even talk to anyone at store, except staff for some guidance.

This visit to the supermarket will always be memorable to me, it was one of most unique experience of my life so far which I don’t want to counter again. Second thing was all customers treated fellow human beings as aliens which were weird but necessary during lockdown.