SUNDAY FEATURE

The world as we know it has turned upside down. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is spinning out of control over the globe, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. It began in December 2019 in China and has developed into a global problem, not at all like anything any of us have ever observed in the past. Today, social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have become leading sources of information. Social media platforms have played a crucial role in disseminating news about the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

In the face of COVID-19, social media is a great way for individuals and communities to stay connected even while physically separated. During the 1918 flu pandemic, which infected a third of the world’s population, people didn’t have the same sources of communication we now have in the 21st century to quickly share news and information. For a frame of reference, a public health report on Minneapolis’s response to the 1918 flu shows that critical information regarding the virus was primarily shared via postal workers, Boy Scouts, and teachers. Can you imagine having learned about COVID-19 from a mailman knocking on your door and telling you to wash your hands?

On May 12, 2020, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray proposed that some of the districts of the state could use the Goa model for combatting coronavirus. Goa, on April 19 was declared the first zero COVID-19 state in the country with the last seven positive cases turning negative making Goa the first green state in the country with no case of coronavirus being reported from April 3. The coastal State had a total of seven positive cases, of whom six had travel history and one was the brother of a positive patient.

 But, a few days after being declared free from coronavirus disease, Goa on May 14, confirmed that seven people have tested COVID-19 positive during rapid testing. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that all seven patients were shifted to the designated COVID-19 hospital in Ponda. “The war against COVID-19 is far from over," CM Pramod Sawant said, on his Facebook page. "We must continue our fight against this virus by adopting a modified lifestyle which gives priority to safe health norms such as sanitization, wearing of face covers, social distancing and staying at home during the lockdown period," he added.

New Delhi: The world has been fighting a constant battle since it has been hit with this life-threatening pandemic. People were not aware of its intensity and ferocity of this virus until it started wreaking havoc all over the world. About 6 million people have come in contact with this deadly virus, and around 3 lakh people have already died battling COVID-19. Moreover, divorce rates and domestic violence cases have increased as people are being forced to stay with the partner they may no longer get along with, have drifted apart from, an abusive partner, or just find it hard to live with. The future of many young children is also at stake as schools and colleges are shut down.

It seems unlikely that this would be over anytime soon. Many people are of the opinion that this virus may never fully go away, we might have to accept this disease which will kill thousands of people every year. We might have to adapt to the new “normal”. But this cannot stop us from getting on with our lives. Even this deadly pandemic has a bright side.

A total 16 migrant workers walking down to Madhya Pradesh from Maharashtra were mowed down by goods train on May 8, 2020 while they were taking rest on railway tracks in Aurangabad. Picture of Rampukar Pandit, a labourer, mourning for not being able to attend the funeral of his dead child surfaced online. These stories have become symbols of the tragedy of labourers.

The crisis all began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020, a move to combat coronavirus pandemic. This immediately sent the migrants into a panic, as they gathered in large numbers to rush to their villages from the cities. They were working as daily wage labourers, domestic help, street vendors, drivers, gardeners and involved in many other such work. The lockdown has impacted the livelihood of as many as 4 crore domestic migrant workers.

The lockdown and the closure: simmering feelings! As the society is closed, for some time, there are multiple issues and subjects bothering and haunting all of us. By and large there is environment of pessimism expressed through repeated questions – ‘when will this end up and when will the good days return’? Then there are immediate existential concerns-availability and supply of consumables, maintaining cleanliness and hygienic practices about which there are conflicting views causing further stress! Further there is news (mostly unauthenticated) of rise in the number of COVID cases, unpleasant, sometimes fake sometimes real factors precipitating their occurrence and spread. Then the holocaust and dooms day stories accompanied by examples of dooms day carriers sneaking out and traveling in say - ‘Five buses originating from a place which tend to get multiplied into -50, on way’.  Sarcasm apart, they are examples of miseries woven by individuals and institutions and conveyed to the people. Needless to say, they are impacting us adversely more so to the gullible souls!  They cause and create    psycho social problems, many of us may be aware of!