Sanitizing Our Minds

Trapped inside our minds and houses,
We try to shut all the existing doors.
Attempting to even stay away from ourselves...
We arrest our affirmative sides.
And as we take a moment,
We realise- what we need to do first is to                        
                               Sanitize Our Minds 

A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people.”

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. Seven, including the new virus, have made the jump to humans. The very first case of Coronavirus or Covid-19, as we know was detected in Wuhan, China. After the sudden outbreak of Covid-19 in about 186 countries, it feels like life has come to a pause. The scientists have classified this virus into two strains, one more aggressive than the other.

This virus has affected people in a very large number causing approximately more than 11,404 deaths in all over the world. There are about 2,76,125 known cases of this overspreading virus. After China this virus has majorly affected countries like Italy, Germany, Spain, United States, Iran, France, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom etc. According to WHO as of 20 March 2020 a total of 223 Covid-19 cases(191 Indians and 32 foreign nationals) have been reported in 20 states/union territories.

As we’ve been suggested by health ministries, we all shall stay indoors, practice social distancing and  avoid going to crowded places. The government asks people to not to step out of their houses and stay in ‘quarantine’ as we say unless it’s very important. After several efforts put in by the government and other  organisations spreading awareness, people still tend to take this matter of  life and death for granted.

Apart from that, we shall not forget that we are comparatively safer in our houses than the homeless people who are deprived of the most basic facilities and are forced to stay outdoors during this crisis. It is our responsibility towards the society to spread awareness, stay indoors, practice social distancing, avoid unnecessary travelling and most importantly not spread rumours. We often come across useless messages on social networks that are just meant to spread rumours. These messages spread fear and distract people from their actual role towards the society. These rumours can be deadlier than the actual virus. As mature and responsible beings it is our responsibility to not to trust all the news that gets flashed on our screens.

It is also imperative for us to realise that as social beings we are supposed to assume the mantle of our fellow beings. If we see people around us catching the symptoms of Covid-19, we shall not become hostile towards them. No one chooses to get affected themselves, it’s simply their fate that has led them to this. Also it is the fate of the entire planet that has made all of us undergo this crisis.  It is also important for us to look on the brighter side of the situation. Here, as we’re locked in our houses, we get an opportunity to embrace the warmth of our loved ones. It is the need of the hour to analyse the positive side of the crisis where we can stay safe under the same roof and all of us can enlighten their creative minds by trying out novel activities. We can keep the elderly members of our family safer and cheer up each other by sharing some joyful moments.

Let us all take a moment to thank the people around us who are working day and night and keeping the environment safe. Doctors and nurses work tirelessly to ensure our well being. They contribute their bit-part towards the society...now it is our responsibility to help them by staying safe. Apart from that, the cleaning workers and security staff that still work efficiently cannot be treated less than God. They strive to make sure that we are safe in our houses and with utmost courage step out of their houses for our protection.

•Let us make sure that we join hands and fight against this virus by ensuring that we are safe.
•Let us not spread rumours and trust only reliable sources.
•Let us take this situation of ‘house arrest’ optimistically and take care of our dear ones.
•Let us learn our lessons after undergoing this critical situation.
•Let us SANITIZE OUR MINDS and hands.

-Vedanshi Shah