While the pandemic is a reality, the world is still going on bustling with activities, celebrations, travel and holidays. No denying the facts of the covid scenario and a change in freedom of movement and lifestyle because of it but also true are the moments of life that cannot be replaced ever! To miss them for fear of what may go wrong could be a loss of a lifetime.
To spend time with close ones was never so much a dire priority as it is today. Lesson learnt in the pandemic! And hence to go through multiple RTPCRs with mandatory quarantines added to the extra documentation, rules and regulations only to reach the near and dear ones afar, was still worth it. When would a newborn wait to grow up just to make sure the grandparents see her nascent age?
How could a toddler wait for a coronavirus to vanish before he could show off his jumps and jive to his grandma? And where would there be a right and safe time for any of us to spend together than now? The sheer pleasure of trips together to Khao Yai National Park, the jungle walks, the drives, the blabbering and pranks with loved ones that accessorize joy, when would that come if not now?
“You travelled despite the danger of infection” was an awe from many. “Yes, I did”! And without a second thought too. There are masks on every face. There is a ‘forbidden to sit’ label on every alternate chair. There are more eateries serving outdoors. There is a sign of ‘only two at a time’ in a small art gallery.
There are sanitiser bottles at every table and thermometer monitors at every entrance. This is the scenario in Bangkok. But nothing has stopped. People testing positive in the neighbourhood is not alarming. Some isolating themselves from social life and spending time aloof is also not unusual.
People reaching out to meet is an unmissable phenomenon also. Debates about what to do or not to do are rampant, discussions continue, but families with little children seem to have overcome the paranoia much better than those consisting of adults I feel.
Society is a different place to live in today, no doubt. But to expect things to come to normalcy where there is absolutely no danger and a zero per cent risk – is a myth. Pleasures amidst the pandemic paranoia! I made the choice! Or I would have missed it all!
Article by: Seema Moghe
