COVID 19 is no more a fiction or a human tragedy abroad. It’s a scary reality which has not only engulfed our country but have completely terrorized our minds. Fear of the unknown is too strong to be taken away or managed by taking all the precautionary measures against virus or by remaining informed on the subject. The stress is taking the best of us all. Even after adopting self-isolation even within homes, disinfecting all surfaces from table tops, door knobs, taps to books, spectacles, keys, mobile phones etc., washing hands at least 5 times in an hour leaving the hands turn white with dryness and trying to eat immunity building food, the dreadful thought of getting the virus by the parents or kids is constantly mongering round and round in the head.
It’s even affecting family relations and offending relatives as some are trying to be responsible by adopting social distancing while others foolishly want to indulge in family visits, outing or social gatherings hence creating a divide among relatives and friends. Only decent action of the matter is to not care about such irrational approach and simply tell people to stay in their homes so that these family members will be well and healthy to meet in future. Another breach is between the so called passionate professional and the rest of the community who consider it an act of heroism to continue working in extremely small offices with hardly an arm’s distance between workstations and handling too much paper work – ideal environment for virus spread. But if you ask them to take leave to remain safe, the response is nothing less than an immature display of passion. This happens when our priorities are not straight. Is there any second opinion that one’s health and family come first and foremost everything els?
Its no doubt a battle of nerves for an individual – to keep the sanity and sensibility intact and keep faith. One needs to find ways to pacify the mind, take considerate decisions and avail this testing time as an opportunity instead of freaking out and making people around us crazy.
Firstly, to keep the stress level in control, one may feel at peace by devoting time and self towards one’s religion. As Muslims, there are many holy verses and Surahs from the Holy Quran like Surah Rehman, Surah Yaseen and Surah Muzamil which many of us recite as a routine. It not only helps in building and strengthening our faith and link with Allah Almighty but also leaves the heart and soul enriched with peace and positivity. One can also gain positivity by reading a good book, doing physical exercises indoor like yoga, playing indoor games with kids like Scrabble or even Luddo, fixing your wardrobes and cupboards, watching some good tv shows, movies or documentaries and so on. Let’s give a break to listening to all the endless talks on Corona Virus. Remaining informed is good but too much information is the first step towards chaos and insanity and more when most of it is myth only. Let’s take the precautionary measures, keep ourselves positively engaged and leave the rest on Allah Almight.
Secondly, we should be considerate and accommodating at this hour of extreme anxiety and stress which is a calamity for everyone alike no matter which strata of society one belongs to. However, its more pressing and deplorable for the people with limited resources. Let’s be helpful and a sigh of relief for people who greatly contribute in managing our daily routines; our cook, driver, guard, gardener etc. It is not a favor but our duty to ask them to stay within their homes by sending them on paid leaves so that they can protect their families without the fear of food and shelter. Why to wait for Ramadan, lets distribute the food/Rashan packets among needy so that the daily wagers can feed their family.Allah is Gracious and Merciful, He may reward the gesture even more than the blessings of Ramadan.
Thirdly, We may avail this time to fulfill and materialize our long pending dream, idea or even assignment. Like if you want to write something; a story, an article, a novel or even a film story, this is the time to do it and keep the mind positively busy. Or if you have a business idea but your job never allowed you the time, so you can definitely draw an outline or prepare the feasibility or the business plan to see what will it take to implement it. Working mothers and even fathers can utilize this time to spend with kids engaging them in constructive activities. Like I could never do comprehension and mental math exercises with my school going kid because of the loaded routine of us both and now availing this time, I am trying to make him interested in doing it. Most importantly, we can take benefit from this time and tragedy to start working on strengthening our bodies ‘immunity system. A highly significant but extremely neglected area of health care. We spend so much on skin care, body shaping, hair nourishment etc. but so few of us invest on immunity care in terms of attention and time. Let’s learn this lesson and modify our lifestyle to build a good immunity level which has the strength to fight with such viruses and be more confident and braver under such circumstances which God forbid may never happen again.
Lastly, it’s a war of wisdom and speed for our government. We shall InsahAllah overcome it together. However, Imran Khan, our dearest PM, will have to fight it from the front. We were late in preparations but let’s pick up speed and make timely wise decisions to deal with it in an honorable manner. Shutting down the cities will be inevitable but if not timely can cost us beyond imagination and to an extreme pain and sorrow. Together, as a nation we will not let you fail Mr. Prime Minister and neither will we let our countrymen die of hunger. Devise a plan and we shall follow to minimize the spread and curtail the deaths as well as feeding the ones with no means to do so. Let’s rise above this crisis as a nation. Let’s rise like real Pakistanis; Unpredictable and Unbeatable.
The writer is a Development sector practitioner and can be reached at sunniyakhn@gmail.com
