Covid-19 Commemoration When The World Came To A Standstill

Being on maternity leave with two children under 3 years, most things pass me by into oblivion, let alone something that stops the world. I was just living to enjoy my kids’ childhood and family life. When I first heard about the Corona virus in China, it just went to the back of my head about something sinister but not affecting my little world  in Harrow. 

The news was the last thing on my mind as by the end of the day I just wanted to watch some trash TV or indulge in R&R to relax, switch off and recuperate for the next energetic and tiresome day. Most days my source of news would be my partner, even then only listened with half an ear. So I was definitely living in oblivion and denial that it will not affect me!

The significance and implication of the virus hit home when I heard Italy was affected and the death toll was unimaginable in a space of a few days. The nail was hit on my head when my husband, and then, my brother said their offices in central London are asking them to quarantine due to possible cases in their office premises. That is when I started following the Covid journey meandering its way to Harrow (too close to home) and the anxiety started setting in. 

So the cases in London increased exponentially, Northwick Park hospital became one of the hubs of treating positive patients and Harrow was the next borough. Death rates were steeply increased to at least 1000 daily across hospitals, care homes and in the community. 

Then the panic buying started with supermarket shelves being cleared of toilet roll (don't know why), pasta and hand sanitizer. Pharmacies were cleared of surgical masks, gloves, disposable aprons. I refused to give in to this mainly due to my denial attitude but also having the belief the this can surely not go on forever and stock will be available eventually (which I was right) after the supermarkets started rationing, restricting entry and  restricted special opening times. We  just bought what was required. Soon there were memes on social media about using toilet roll paper as currency and being gold dust! Small shop owners hiked their prices to like £10 for a packet of 9 toilet rolls!! But then it all settled and people stopped hoarding, the old and vulnerable got their share and so did we all to be fair and even the prices were policed. Online shopping and Amazon became the new trend.

The lockdown came next, after constant denial that it will not affect me. Although we followed all the rules that the government set with a message of Stay Home, Stay Safe, by keeping 2m apart from others, only 1 hour of exercise alone or only with your household members, no social gatherings of more than 2 people and to work from home unless you have to go in. It was just difficult to fathom that something unseen by the naked eye and inconspicuous could wipe out the whole human race. The playgrounds, shopping centres, parks, youth/children's centres and other learning institutions were deserted and like graveyards where no one ventured. It was like a scene from a horror movie where the life of the community was sucked out. Holidays and flights, social functions, sport events public or private were cancelled and delayed, borders closed along with peoples’ hopes and dreams. Even someone's last respects were only given by 4 closest family members. People were quarantined for minimum of 2 weeks if that had travelled, alone and away from family. Staying in had become the new going out and the world had come to a standstill.

I accepted the situation as it was and there we were, all four of us cooped in our flat, staying home and staying safe. My husband working from home requiring no disturbance. But can you imagine explaining a toddler to stay quiet, that she cannot go to nursery or to the park to play on  the swings, slides and merry-go-round. It was quite a juggling act when both kids need you at the same time, providing a decent working environment for my husband with no help from grandparents or able to take them out of the house for social classes at the children's centres. This was the same story all over the world in homes with young children. 

However, there was a silver lining to all this. My husband and I got an insight to each others worlds when apart. I realised how mentally taxing his work was if not physically and he acknowledged the mental strength and energy it took to nurture children. However, he still did not understand how my important my job and career were to me as I was on maternity leave.  This is what happened in all households I believe where couples got an insight to each others careers and boosted their relationship goals.

Although there was a sense of community and solidarity, where people took to social media more than they otherwise would, to show their appreciation or support or provide general ideas and tips to survive the lockdown, the separation and most of all uncertainty and gravity of the situation. Family and friends who may not see or talk to each other much due to the daily drone started video calling,  Zoom became the app for conferencing to keep in touch and ensure all in the clan were well. There was also the underlying suspicion of each other in the street to be possible carriers of the virus.  Even the slightest sneeze or cough was looked down upon or analysed under the microscope whether it was caught in the elbow, or disposed of appropriately in a tissue and/or hands sanitized properly after.

A lot of creativity emerged from children being home schooled via rainbows, letters, messages, other art and craft to thank key workers, multimedia messages,  news and even clapping from the doorways or windows every Thursday at 8pm. A lot of charities were organised, volunteers came forward, celebrities contributed, companies gave freebies, learning institutions offered free courses and even the government pumped money into the economy to keep people safe but financially stable to survive. And so the famous quote came about, ‘ when the world wanted us apart, we stayed together'.

We are still uncertain when the virus will be overcome even after the lockdown has eased but have all reflected on personal goals, grown together and got new direction. The world healed and we all realised what was more important to us than materialistic gain. There is hope that we will remain appreciative of Mother Earth and not revert back to our selfish and deteriorating ways. 

Personally, I’m secretly hoping this lockdown does not end as I have had the greatest time being with my kids with no rush to be at places, taking them to lessons and classes, or even shopping. We were all in the same boat with no peer pressure to be perfect. My hope of stopping time to enjoy Ann's savour my kids' childhood has artificially come true as the world has come to a standstill.

- Hinal