COVID-19 AND THE LOCKDOWN

There would not be a single person in this world who would be comfortable with getting the common cold, which includes me as well. Laying in my hostel room bed, frail, surrounded by tissues, searching whether I have the coronavirus, panicked, on the 13th March 2020, the students of O. P Jindal Global University, Sonipat received a mail on behalf of the Vice-chancellor- (Dr) C. Raj Kumar informing, that taking the precaution for the coronavirus, our classes would be suspended from the 14th March 2020 till 29th March 2020. We were told to go back home and stay safe. Lightheaded with 3 assignments due, not in a state to move, I gathered up some courage packed all my books and notes, luckily, winter clothes, and other basic items that all came to my luck later on. Understanding the fact, that I will be back in two weeks, I left my room with the bedsheet and blankets on and managed to get a shuttle to the main gate.

Being back home in Delhi from Sonipat, safe, from 18th March 2020 the class suspension changed to online classes, and soon we were on a break. No more classes, just with one assignment in my hand I was free. Trying not to panic and think about how this break is going to take a turn for my life being how am I going to intern for this semester, will I ever have normal graduation, how are we supposed to cover the course, In what sort of economic situation would I land up in after my graduation? It hadn’t been long ago that India was fighting between the CAA and NRC, now that we were a part of a pandemic. All the protests had stopped with the coming in of the virus in India.

Not knowing what to do and what will happen further, I decided to not go haywire with all these thoughts I made a productive schedule for the days ahead. I browsed through the internet and subscribed to various online news formats because by relying on the news channels, I would find myself distressed with them continuously talking about numbers of COVID patients, them targeting the Tablighi jamaat which led to creating prejudice among my family and neighbors. People around me started blaming them for being the main spreaders of the virus, taking news from “WhatsApp” they seemed to debate on how these Muslims are going to terrorize communities, that it’s in their culture to behave in this manner. I made every effort to put a stop on wrong and fake news that was been circulated in groups I was involved in.

India was on a complete lockdown from 25th March 2020 - 14th April 2020 and with the lockdown people who were daily wagers could not provide food to their family. Henceforth, my father started a community kitchen in our locality. The kitchen was preparing food for about 1100 people daily twice a day. Residing near AIIMS, we were able to provide food to the families of various patients. A community kitchen, of course, is a great initiative, but I strongly opposed my father because even though he was providing food to the people, this kitchen was not being of any need to those who in the actual need. Firstly, for not following the social distancing protocols being the way how people crowded over and secondly risking yourself and your family in this crucial time. By all means, he started with the intention of providing food to the ones who were not able to provide for themselves and their family. But to get permission for the community kitchen father had to seek some help from the local AAP representatives which further lead to the involvement of BJP and Congress too. The food was no longer being prepared for the ones it was intended for but for people in the Police stations, Municipal offices, People residing in nearby guest houses, and residents. Even though it was alright how those people were getting what they required but what about those who were still going to bed empty stomach in our locality. The entire control and acknowledgment were going to the party representatives. When the 2^nd lockdown phase started my father realized that it was time to shut it down before things changed. I thought that by this he would be staying home more, but no looking at the facts how this lockdown will affect his business, he partnered up with my uncle who recently started a sanitation business of sanitizers, PVC masks, PP kits, and more.

He later decided that none of the workers were allowed into the house including the maids which resulted in all the work to be my mother’s duty, from cleaning to food. This became a huge burden on each one of us and leading to realize the need and importance of the workers. With all the workload on my mother, the house seemed to be in chaos, because some people in the house are not used to change. With father being in the office the entire day he seemed to have no clue what was happening in the house and when he returned, he expected everything to be the same as it was before. We are 6 people under one roof, but too apart. Having different views on subjects we find it difficult to connect. Being my Grandmother who was used to going to the temple daily, therapy at the hospital, and her “Kitty parties” was now to stay home. Every day she would have some other problem, wanting us to take her to the doctor. My younger brothers who recently moved on to the 6^th grade are having online classes, missing the wholesome fun of going to school and their friends. They find it difficult to cover up in the online classes and later face scolding from my mother for not completing their work. Having no sport or extra activities they are bored with boredom. How am I any different as them. Stuck in my room for more than 2 months now I have no clue what I am doing. Everyone’s stress seems to bicker out on the lady of the house. Already having a bundle of work on her head she has to continuously face our constant tantrums. She asked me, one month down the lockdown to no longer see her as my mother but as us being best friends and that my best friend needs my help. My mother’s sleep schedule is ruined, she needs to take sleeping and anxiety pills from time to time.

This entire experience is having an excessive mental impact on each one of us. There was a time when watching television for more than an hour was considered unacceptable, but now it won’t switch off. Everyone is stuck to their phones or laptop. I am sure that it is just not my house who is facing these troubles. For sure every woman of the house would be facing this wrath. Of all the work being there duty plus looking after the family with no help or support is terrible. They have no time for themselves. Even she is locked into the house, the same as us. This is mostly how the society works. Mother and I try to have each other’s back. Split the work and duties, try to keep the house sane.

With all these lifestyle changes I am not sure, will I be able to go back to the normal routine. Even if the lockdown end, there would be the same political fight about CAA and NRC. How are things going to be? Hoping that it would soon end with lesser problems, I really want to come back to Jindal, meet my friends, and have normal physical interactive classes and lectures. I just hope for the best for all.