A Viral Infection, a Lockdown and a Family that’s willing to fight it

Technology has taken us to a virtual world where we are connected 24/7. To some extent, I feel that this has also come to our rescue in these days of viral infection by covid 19. We are in lockdown but still connected courtesy technology. Social media has helped in keeping us connected with the outside world especially in days of the lockout but it has its positives and negatives. While on one hand, it keeps you updated with what’s happening in the world around you, on the other, it also circulates a lot of fake news.

Human beings enjoy pressing the button “Rewind”. It takes them down the memory lane and brings tears in their eyes. The eyes get moist remembering those sweet incidents which happened in their past. On the other hand, social media platforms have got infected by a viral infection called “Forwards”. I am talking about the unverified forward messages on mediums like Facebook and WhatsApp. Each message comes with some kind of warning. These unsubstantiated fake messages at times create a feeling of fear amongst society.

Don’t make a judgment based on social media input

The repercussion of this viral infection is high. There are times when neighbourhood boycotts airline crew at home just because they have come back from a rescue flight. People coming back from international destinations and cleared by the health authorities face forced quarantine at home as if they are infected.

Even a single message on WhatsApp that the government is planning to lock down the city leads to a stampede at grocery stores. Hoarding essential commodities creates a further rift in society. The rich with their surplus income can easily buy and hoard stocks that will last for months. On the other hand, the poor who survive on daily wage are unable to match and end up burning whatever little money they have buying products at inflated prices.

Viral infection has affected our daily life. Let’s see how?

Work from home in days of viral infection

The community most affected by the viral infection is that of dads. They have to work under the constant surveillance of their wives. All of a sudden dads are realising that office bosses are much more compassionate. They allow you to focus on work and give freedom to work at your own pace.

Tea is rationed at home while it was unlimited in the office. The glam quotient is missing.  No more are you surrounded by office beauties addressing you as “Sir” and asking for your help making you feel on cloud nine. The situation has changed at home. The “Sir” has been replaced by “Sunte ho Ji” and it’s is you who is asking for help most of the time.

Fun at home is not so much fun

In-office you used to get instructions from your boss over the mail or in a meeting. But in days of lockdown during viral infection, you start getting instructions the moment you open your eyes. There are times when you get the feeling as if you are suffering from amnesia as the same set of instructions are given to you every day. The true meaning of the division of labour is now clear to you. Delegation doesn’t work at home and teamwork is necessary to achieve your objectives. Sweeping is done by your spouse while you do the mopping. Dusting is done by your daughter and son has to take Bruno out for his daily walk. Together as a family, you make your house functional in the absence of domestic help.

The video call that you have to attend every day is so drab that you just don’t feel like contributing. The same message is transmitted by the boss to every team member on the call daily “Think out of the box”. You have started doubting your abilities as the boss has made you realised that there is nothing in your box.

Fun at home with family

The kids who used to enjoy living in a virtual world suddenly seem to be tired of it. Watching their favourite movie on Netflix or the latest crime series on Hotstar has become boring. Mom is happy to see that the daughter has started taking interest in cooking and helping in the kitchen. The son has finally taken time out from his laptop screen. He can be seen fetching milk from the neighbourhood grocery and laying down the plates on the dining table for lunch and dinner.

Dad has learned how to operate the washing machine. He has also become the tea chef making tea for all family members 2-3 times a day. When he is not busy with the office laptop, you can see him ironing the clothes from his shirts to the pillow covers. The only piece of clothing which he finds a bit challenging is the cotton blouse.

Evening times are now devoted to family games. Ludo , scrabble, playing cards have been pulled out of the drawers. Watching an old comedy movie with family is now becoming a daily routine. Every second day is a party in the evening with home-made pizzas and garlic bread. All of a sudden kids have discovered how tasty home-made food is. There are times when you can see mom giving baking tips to both son and daughter.

Mom at home during the viral infection lockdown

For the first time, the entire family has been lockdown in the house for three weeks with the big boss. If they want to survive the viral infection pandemic then they better start following the rules of the house. The first rule of the game is that nobody can say “No” to the big boss. Whatever task she assigns to a family member has to be strictly performed.

A spouse can’t order any more tea from the bed or the temporary work station. If he wants a cup of tea badly he has to walk into the kitchen, locate the Taj Mahal tea, Milk and sugar himself along with the utensils and the tea mugs. Also, he can’t make tea all for himself. He has to take into a count of who all want tea and make it accordingly.

Time to leave the bedroom and help mom

Kids have been told not to step out of the house. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t step out of their bedrooms. This is the time for the daughter to learn the home skills. She is told that this is like a 21-day crash course for her. The son is told that he better put his wardrobe in order and whatever clothes have not been washed in the last one month need to be put in the washing machine.

The menu choice is limited and no more democratic. Also, Ala-carte is no more being served. It’s a common buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vegan is the flavour and all requests for non-veg dishes are turned down. Green vegetables, Salads, Dal, Milk, Chapati and Rice are part of standard offerings.

It seems the lockdown during the days of viral infection is a great opportunity for the lady of the house to force discipline amongst family members.  It’s this discipline that will help them in their journey of life.

And also it’s the discipline that will make the human race survive the impact of this viral infection. So follow lockdown, stay at home and stay safe.

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