Covid-19 – present life and the new normal

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The current situation due to Covid-19 scare though temporary is setting a new normal across all domains of life. Suddenly, our wardrobes look overfilled as we have learnt to survive with the bare minimum. Fresh home cooked healthy food has replaced the weekly orders of fast food. As a matter of fact, people who loathed entering the kitchen are now coming up with mouth-watering recipes! Based on what is allowed and possible today, a new normal is trying to emerge in every human’s personal, professional and social life. We are on a mission to design the present life and defining the new normal due to Covid-19.

Kids/Children

The stress is real for parents who have kids under the age of 10 years. The restlessness of the little ones is a matter of concern. Suddenly, they are not allowed to play anymore in the playground or with other kids. Being glued to laptop/desktop and TV for their daily classes with almost zero physical activity makes them sleep deprived. Not to mention, the challenge of the teachers to establish the connection with kids over digital media as they would in person.

This is the ideal time to engage kids with crafts work and DIY, maybe we discover a hidden talent in them. Similarly, parents can teach them a gardening and ask for small help in household chores. They can also encourage the kids to do some exercise with them in the morning. For example, skipping, breathing exercises etc.

Students

The teenagers who would meet for sports/games after school or go out in the evening for a chat with their friends are missing all this due to social distancing. Nowadays, teaching and assessments have moved online. Consequently, its normal for students to feel the stress and anxiety owing to spending long hours in computer/laptop . In the same way, for teachers to get a satisfaction to meet the students emotional needs as well is challenging. Not to mention, there are also students who might not have access to a laptop or an internet connection. It’s also a challenge for the teachers to ensure the digital lessons/materials to reach them. Additionally, the internet connection is also not very stable in most of the areas.

At this crisis time, combining online/screen time with offline activities and exercises within a session might be ideal. Also, the students can pick up a new hobby like DIY craft, cooking or painting etc, learning a new language or learning a new skill.

Employees

Though everyone is working from the comfort of their homes, what should ideally be not forgotten is that they need their bit of sleep and break time as well. Earlier, we could just move to a desk and talk to the other team member to resolve queries whereas now, it has to be done on call. So all resolutions, queries is done online by e-mails and phone conversations that lack a person’s visual reaction to what you’ve said. The information you can obtain by your physical presence in a conference room is missing in a typical teleconference unless you get every tone right.

The ‘work from home’ is definitely not something new but wasn’t this common. Furthermore, this is possible for jobs which does not require physical presence with people or goods. Most of the companies now have provided the employees with a desktop/laptop  and even the office chairs so that they can work comfortably from home. Thus, if you can set up a proper table with a wide monitor and a nice chair then it’s not that painful for a ‘work from home’ model.  We are also saving the time to commute to work. Additionally, the companies should allow working in shifts for jobs that need physical presence at work. That way , it becomes comparatively more manageable by the employees at this crisis time.

Performing artists

What can be more painful for a performing artist than to have no live audience. That ‘WOW’ moment when a dancer performs a brilliant move and the audience cheers, the roar of appreciation when a singer attempts a complex note efficiently or a percussionist makes a rain of beats will be missed! Its a very challenging time for the performing artists for whom the stage is like heaven. The lights, the audience, the music and the reverberation of the claps all makes a big difference!

Nowadays, different groups in social media platforms like etc conduct a lot of online programs. This can be a motivation to the artists with a few audience but again, it fails to deliver the magic of a stage. Due to the unstable internet connection, the continuous streaming is obstructed and we also face copyright issues with music sometimes. What we can do best is practise by ourselves, make notes , discover the intrinsic nuances of the art, and think of creative and innovative ideas to work on to present in future.

Couple

The situation of working couples with a small kid in this lock-down is quite demanding with no helping hand around. House maids/helpers are unable to work owing to social distancing and lock down. Thus, work, cook, manage the kid, clean the house all by yourself is extremely strenuous.

However, you can utilize the time you would normally commute, to exercise and prepare breakfast for the family together. You can divide your tasks and pray that you both should NOT have a meeting at the same time while the kid is awake!!😉. The lessons learnt during this pandemic can help you to manage your work-life balance in the future. Additionally, you can discover what you are talented at! Both the wife and the husband can contribute equally to the chores and set couple goals 😊.

Senior citizens

Senior citizens are the worst sufferers in this lock-down due to Corona virus. Since, they are at a higher risk of getting infected, they suffer within the confines of home. They cannot enjoy a bare minimum of a walk or a short visit to the nearby market etc. They are also not connected to the social media to interact with people as they are not tech savvy.

However, for them whose children and grandchildren are together, they can spend a good family time maintaining all the hygiene rules. But, for them whose elderly parents are in different cities or staying far away-> talk to them over phone, teach them to attend video calls etc. Order online the vegetables and medicines directly to your parents house so that they do not have to go out and stand in queues. Reassure them. Now, is the time for all of us to be strong and united. Working for the same cause of fighting the present life with Covid-19 virus.

|| THE VIRUS ||"Arrival of the unwelcome"A depiction based on the prevailing unfortunate situation.#StayHomeStaySafe #Animation #Virus #Stayathome

Posted by Shyam Menon on Monday, April 20, 2020

The Corona virus effect

The present life and the new normal due to Covid-19 is evolving. People had to just continue with the situation they were in, not having many choices as the lock-down was declared all of a sudden. There are unfortunate mothers who are separated from their kids because their planning was such that the mother will travel first to the country of her work and then the kid in a few weeks time. But, then the lock-down came and they are still separated as the kid has not been able to travel. Many people who went to different cities and countries for a short break/vacation could not return back to their hometowns. Not to forget, the plight of the migrants, for time and again the news covered a lot of unfortunate things that happened to them.

Amidst this, we can be thankful that we are still together with our loved ones➡safe and healthy. Pray for the unlucky and contribute whatever is possible to the needy, in cash or kind.

What should you remember?

The present life and the new normal due to Covid-19 is temporary but you should ideally follow some rules like below to stay healthy and safe.

1. Wash your hands every 20 minutes with soap and water.
2. Wear mask when you leave the house and use sanitizers. Ensure that the mask covers your nose and mouth properly. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask. Avoid touching the front of mask and only use the loops/ties to wear it.
3. Maintain social distancing. Avoid meeting in groups and maintain a distance of 6 feet with each other.
4. Build up your immune system by eating nutritional and healthy food.
5. Do not leave the house unless necessary.
6. Avoid eating/drinking from outside.
7. Maintain hygiene, take a shower and wash the clothes you wore immediately after coming home from outside.
8. Exercise regularly and practise breathing exercises.
9. Encourage others to maintain the social distancing rules, wear masks and stay hygienic.
10. Keep your surroundings clean and maintain discipline.
11. Stay home and stay safe.

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