The Diabolic Corona
The diabolic coronavirus is creating havoc all around the world. Nations hit by this pandemic have declared lockdowns to save the lives of their countrymen. Every human being under the sun is virtually imprisoned or caged and only birds are flying in the sky!
Government of India is taking all necessary steps to ensure that we are prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID-19, the coronavirus. With active support of the people, we have been largely able to contain the spread of the virus in our country.
The most important factor in preventing the spread of the virus locally is to empower the citizens with the right information, so that they take precautions as per the advisories being issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
In these frightening and uncertain times, the utmost need of the hour is to abide by the directives issued by the competent authorities from time to time. Any breach can lead the entire country to untold misery.
To abide by citizen-social-code to overpower this notorious coronavirus, following instructions need to be followed strictly and rigorously: Wash your hands with soap regularly and thoroughly. If possible clean your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Wash them for at least 20 seconds every time and practise social distancing. Social distancing is a form of infection prevention that involves avoiding contact between those who are already infected with a disease that could spread further. This measure could, eventually, lead to decrease in spread of the disease. Avoid going to public gatherings and crowded places. Maintain at least 3 feet distance while speaking to anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your face and eyes unnecessarily.
In the course of the day, your hands touch various metal, steel, glass, wood and cloth surfaces. God forbid, if they were contaminated, your hands could transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention immediately. This will allow your doctor to quickly direct you to the right health facility.
Last but not the least, if you have a travel history, stay at home. Watch if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, avoid contact with others and seek medical advice immediately. Timely medical care will help protect you and your family.
Staying at home for indefinite period under the constant threat of fatal coronavirus should be making life both monotonous and challenging for all of us. These are, however, testing times. The entire humanity is put to test and our endurance is at stake. Passing our time should not pose a problem at all. People are taking different measures to spend their time in the wake of these sudden and uncalled for lockdowns. Reading books, listening to music, watching old/new movies, inquiring about the welfare of our friends and relatives more especially relatives belonging to older generation, playing cards and other indoor games can very well keep us engaged and eventually this corona syndrome will pass off peacefully if not willingly and cheerfully. My grandson Shaurya is with me here in Alwar these days. He enjoys playing chess with me and thus both of us take care of each other to pass off the time so easily. Playing with him makes me nostalgic and I go down the memory lane when I used to play chess so passionately and regularly with my colleagues. Needless to say that during the eighties I used to be Secretary ‘District Chess Association’ in Alwar.
I must have played around 20 games with Shauriya during this lockdown period so far. He is convinced that his grandfather is by far superior to him in this art. That is why he sometimes asks me so cutely and innocently that when would he be able to become a chess-player like me? I simply pat him with a fond smile. Little does my grandson know that every game and for that matter every professional art calls for a long-drawn-out practice and dedication, devotion and commitment. I am, however, confident that his passion for the game will surely make him a big player one day. God bless Shauriya.
(Author is a professor, writer, and translator)
