The coronavirus has got the attention of Mumbaikars as the government ordered all schools, colleges, workplaces, and the mall’s closed this also included Cinema halls basically all places with a large public gathering. People are advised to stay indoors and also watch what and where they eat. I was inundated with calls from friends and relatives urging me to return back to Delhi and avoid having meat or chicken as the virus has infected them also. Some rumors flying say that it is a biochemical weapon gone wrong that causes the havoc. All international flights have been canceled and airports will be empty for the coming three weeks or so it the situation becomes stable. The virus has spread far and crosses 40 countries, every place I went to eat there was a sanitizer somewhere to clean my hands repeatedly to avoid infection.
Mobile call outs came on my phone telling me how to protect myself from the virus giving numbers of health clinics and government doctors who could help if someone feels ill or affected by the virus. The case spread through false news on the social media, even my taxi driver yesterday was warning a face mask, not to mention the waiters of some restaurants I dined in. The paranoia has slowly spread with the Sensex and the economy bearing the brunt of the slow down due to the virus and the health hazard it has created, people have lost jobs, sales have slowed down, people are not buying chicken prices of poultry has dropped dramatically, along with the Yes bank Fiasco the Sensex has tanked thousands of point and now stands at its lowest. People are not sure they have seen the bottom of the gloom, recession, and the downward spiral.
I, however, remained cherry I had a lot I could do in my room, I could read and watch movies online and order food at will. It would help me write more being in my room all the time as they are not going to be any more meetings as the city is on shutdown. I might proceed to Allahabad to continue my work on the audiobook, but there is still work for me in Mumbai.
Ashish was happy to see his kids were very excited that they will have a one month holiday and no school due to the virus. Its party time for the kids as they can play all day with video games and surf the net all day being locked up at home, no more Sunday outings at least not till the virus has not cleared. I read that an Israel pharaoh company has come out with a vaccination which is the antidote to the virus, but they are still testing it to get the all-clear and be perfectly sure that it is safe. The only precaution I have taken is washing my hands constantly and not eating meat, I have instead had fish all this week just to stay clear of the virus, and most of the time I am indoor’s.
Here is hoping that we see the back of the virus soon and life moves on as usual but till then for the sake of Mumbaikars I welcome this break and urge them to make the most of it, by relaxing and connecting with themselves and their dear ones.
