Corona Diaries 20: Say Hi! To Life In The Time Of Social Distancing

When the world comes out of lockdown, hurt and humbled, we won’t hear much about the indomitable spirit of mankind. After all, a virus, measuring a billionth of a gram in weight, sent us scurrying indoors for weeks, and when we decided to come out again finally, it was after a humiliating deal: the virus will stay with us, claiming lives and as a constant challenge to our immunity firewall.

The world is gradually coming to the consensus that the novel coronavirus won’t leave us in a hurry. Its exit, if at all it happens, will be painfully slow. It will continue to torment mankind; the virulence may drop several notches though. The World Health Organisation made clear as much a couple of days ago.

“It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities; and this virus may never go away,” said Mike Ryan, the global organisation’s emergencies expert. He advised people to be realistic and on the futility of predictions on the disappearance of the disease. To make our understanding clearer, tuberculosis never disappeared, neither did HIV nor common flu. We have made our peace with these. Coronavirus was already there among us; now we have to adjust with its novel version too.

As people step out to resume everyday activities, fear would be the overwhelming factor in their lives, not the urge to be brave. Many actions that were considered normal earlier would qualify as reckless now. The innate gregariousness of mankind would meet with strong disapproval. Till a vaccine arrives on the scene, man as a social being would stand curtailed.

CELEBRATION WITHOUT SOUL

No high-five, no hug, no chest-bumping and no wild saliva-spewing cheering. All of them are impulsive human actions in moments of great excitement, particularly during sporting events. These are the expressions through which the adrenaline rush within gets externalised. How are we going to celebrate without any physicality involved? Imagine Virat Kohli hitting the winning runs in the T-20 World Cup final, and the normally exuberant Indian fans celebrating it without moving a limb or hooting aloud! Surely, they would resemble a sea of mourners. It would be painful sight indeed. Celebration would be without a soul.

GHOST THEATRE

How would it be when theatres get into social distancing seriously? A two-seat gap on the sides and one-seat in the back between movie watchers? Well, that would never make theatres a normal place. The emptiness around would be a haunting presence. Yes, once the lights go off what transpires between the moving images on the screen and the individual viewer is intensely personal. The darkness helps create private spaces. But the social experience is hardly complete without others around. Think of watching cinema alone in the theatre! We are not sure how social distancing would be implemented in theatres or it would be at all, but it promises to be scary.

MARRIAGES WITHOUT THE FUN

Marriages are fun, particularly when you are not the one getting married. Nothing beats the experience of being in a baraat. The spirit of revelry, including the crowd, the noise, the ear-splitting music, the lights, easily borders on the excess in our parts of the country. Then think of drunk friends swaying – palms together over the head, bodies imitating the moves of a snake and in different stages of going horizontal on the floor — to the iconic nagin tune. In Odisha, we never think a marriage procession as complete without the Rangabati dance capping it. With social distancing in place, would it be half the fun? Not really. But we have to learn to live with it.

PARTY TIME, NO CHEERS

We love our parties, no matter what the occasion is. And we hate dry days, no matter what the reason for them. Alcohol consumers claim a few drinks provide them moments of bliss away from the harsh reality of life. It may not be the entire truth though. It is more likely that they love badmouthing people and the drink is a good excuse for it. Whatever the case, we certainly have become fairly uninhibited about alcohol over time. The mile-long queues at liquor shops last week made it evident that the love for the tipple it has transcended all barriers — class, caste, gender, religion and what not.

What is the party scene going to be in the time of social distancing? With masks, sanitisers, six-feet distance and frequent washing of hands firmly in the picture, party time is certain to resemble sessions in college chemistry labs. But fret not, drinkers, being enterprising people, are likely to find a way around. Say cheers to that.