When was the last time you spoke to an old friend of yours?
Now if i’d asked you this question 3 weeks ago, you’d probably have to rack your brains for an answer. If i’d suggested that you should call an old friend and reconnect, you’d probably think that would be a nice gesture and then forget all about it and get back to your daily routine. But that’s just it, isn’t it? Suddenly, we don’t have a daily routine anymore. Suddenly you, me and the entire world has been quarantined. We have been asked to self isolate and fight a virus. Whether you live in Amsterdam or India, Pakistan or Australia – suddenly it doesn’t matter anymore because we are all in this together. We are all fighting to not get infected, to stay as isolated as possible and prevent the spread. Suddenly, it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, brown or yellow – no matter what our skin tone we are all susceptible to COVID-19.
Divided We Stand; United We Fall
All through our childhood we were taught that united we stand and divided we fall. Looks like everything is changing now. We are so used to constant stimulus with daily activities and travelling and jobs, that now when we are forced back to our roots, most of us are almost left shell shocked. We have literally been put in a situation where we are forced to calm down, take a step back and just take it easy. Incredibly, it’s way tougher than it sounds. But we are learning – to slow down, to take a step back and most importantly connect with each other. Ironically enough, physical isolation has made our emotional bonds stronger. People are reaching out to each other, making video calls, playing online games, discussing movies and just catching up (but from a distance). Texts are being replaced with calls, SMSes are being replaced with conversations and although the world is far apart from each other, we are now closer than ever.
Also read: Covid19: 10 Foods You Must Include In Your Diet To Boost Immunity
COVID-19 has also given the world something to talk about. The virus has attacked almost all countries which means that no matter what the culture or tradition of the place – everyone is weirdly unified by a single virus. I called my sister in Ireland and she had a COVID story too. My cousins, whom I haven’t spoken to in years, reached out to me and once again, we were all in similar situations and had something to talk about.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not taking away from the seriousness of the situation or the deaths involved. I’m talking about the silver lining here. The last time I was so chilled out was during my college days. My friends and I would just hang out and we had all the time in the world. With coronavirus, it feels like suddenly life has given us a summer vacation. We know it’s going to end soon and we have to return to a routine, but until then the world has decided to make the best of it and boy, is it heartwarming.