Life In Lockdown: A Reflection on Lockdown

 

Dear Dairy

Lately it’s been crazy, life was quite normal and suddenly in a few days it turned 180 degrees after we were free to do whatever we want at any time we want. Our way of living has changed significantly since COVID-19 came into our lives. We all heard the news about Coronavirus that originated in China back in December 2019, slowly the virus started to spread out of China all over the world. As time went by the virus started spreading a bit faster due to the fast spread almost all the countries decided to go for a lockdown one after the other. That meant no school, no playground, no going to the library, basically you have to stay home to avoid catching the virus. If you have to go out you need to be 2 meters away from any person to be safe from catching the virus as it spreads through touching (hand shake) or touching an object that is infected. The COVID-19 crisis has the world shocked and scared. I don’t remember a time in my lifetime that we, as humanity, have experienced such shared horror. Drastic measures, like national lockdowns and daily reports on the ascending death rates. Staying home is not too much fun; it feels like you're a prisoner in your own home. it’s almost as if we’re living in a state of suspended animation. Life under lockdown can feel like being adrift on the Atlantic: we’re desperate for any sign of land, yet nothing but uncertainty. In this lost-at-sea moment, many of us are clinging to the hope of returning to our previous lives. Although going forward will (and must) change, for the most part, we’re all waiting for the world to again resemble the one we knew not long ago. As the wait continues, so does our anxiety as if we’re sailing into a storm, we close our eyes and hope it’ll all be over soon. The trouble is, none of us know when this voyage will end. Now when you look back at your everyday life it makes you appreciate the simple things we took for granted. Like having fun time in the playground or spending the weekend at grandma’s house. It makes me appreciate going to school everyday and seeing my friends and having fun together during the lunch break. All these simple things that we all took for granted are now forbidden for everyone’s safety. The year 2020 has been one like no other, the Coronavirus lockdown has undoubtedly taken its toll on many people. We all were hoping that 2021 will be a better year than the previous one but I guess we were wrong. In Mid February 2021 we were back to lockdown once again. The news talk about a new strain of Coronavirus, first South Africa Variant (type)  then the UK Variant which is  "10-times more lethal than the one seen in Wuhan". So it’s more dangerous and more deadly and now the Brazilian Variant. Scientists discovered that Coronavirus keeps on evolving into different versions of itself as it keeps copying and multiplying. Even though there’s news about a Vaccine but I wonder if it will be effective to the different new Variants or not! You are aware all the time that you shouldn’t touch anything outside your home. Once you get home you have to wash your hands and face with warm soapy water for 20 sec then dry it properly. The fewer people you’re around, the lower your chance of infection. But really, life in lockdown at home is a breeze compared to the gruelling reality healthcare workers have to face day to day fighting COVID-19 on the front line. As lockdown continues, it has become like groundhog day – day after day seems to be a never ending – wake up, wash, breakfast, school work dotted with occasional breaks. With my school work I have been trying to keep up as best I can but it’s stressful as it was hard to keep track of what is set and when it’s for.  My everyday routine is wake up, wash, breakfast, school work dotted with occasional breaks, exercise, playing on PS, tea, watch TV and bed…Click ‘REPEAT’ oh yes and then at weekends, hmmm…same thing again but no school work.