A rich man's disease is a poor man's struggle

The world is under the grip of Covid-19 or known as the Corona Virus, with a global standstill, life has become slow as if we are near a black hole’s event horizon where time slows done and everything appears to be static. Social interaction is intrinsic to human nature but social distancing is seen as the only way forward to flatten the curve.

 

21 day lockdown in India brought Ramayan and Mahabharat back on Doordarshan, Netflix and Amazon Prime have become a saviour. The word ‘Quarantine’ has become as common as  “abey yaar”. People are doing everything to pass these 21 days and are eagerly waiting to go out on 15^th April and some are waiting to get their work back.

 

Initially, Corona virus was called as the rich man’s disease, soon it became a pandemic. The effect is across the spectrum, but struggle is different. A rich man knows he’s capable enough to feed his family and can bring back normalcy in his life. He’s finding ways to pass his time everyday and making sure his family is safe.

While a poor man is also worried about his family’s safety, but is also worried when will his life come back to normal? Will he be able to go back home?  What about money, he has to feed his family. It’s difficult to understand what they are going through because the privileged have different problems in this distressing period. The Government is working really hard to help the poor in every possible way, they are making sure they get food, shelter and essentials to survive this lockdown so that they don’t have to migrate, but sometimes, any help from the government seems trivial to overpower the fear of survival.

 

Thousands of migrant labourers reached Anand Vihar ISBT just to go back home. Government advisories, social distancing and staying indoors was secondary for them because their home town/village was the only place where they could feel secure, safe and could feed their children. Some were lucky enough to get a bus arranged by the administration, but the unlucky ones walked miles just to ensure they reach home, safely ? they weren’t sure about it.

 Quarantined at home is a privilege for many but for some it’s just a distant thought.

 

Home is not just a place, it’s feeling of safety, security. In any crisis, we feel more protected in our house, we know that we can take care of ourselves better at home. Our family is with us and the sense of togetherness during tough times gives us strength to fight any battle.

This pandemic has brought the human force to its knees, those who are privileged, came back to their place because of that same feeling, but how authorities treat the under privileged makes it not only a medical crisis, but also about human dignity and respect we hold for the disempowered. Spraying disinfectant on labourers is inhumane and is very distressing, the difference in treatment say a lot about our prejudice against the poor.

 

For some, the effect might not be ephemeral. It’s a test of humanity and we have to stand strong and stay indoors to fight this battle and not ghettoize anyone.