Self-Isolated Rambling

The full impact of living in a virus infected world is upon us. And this time it’s a real-world virus, which can infect populations and even kill.

As it races across the globe, social distancing, flatten the curve, community transmission are phrases that have become part of everyday conversations. It’s been a swift trajectory from anxiety to bewilderment to helplessness and fear.  The world has never felt more global, and its terrifying.


One of the advantages of an interconnected world is the constant update on news and information about the spread in different countries. The flip side of course is that you could end up constantly peering into your phone. The spread of misinformation and panic, I really don’t get it - why would anyone want to do that? Then there are hilarious memes that give relief from the building tension.


Families everywhere are finding their own ways to cope. My husband and I live in Bangalore while our children live in North America. So, we have to make an effort to not worry all the time or badger them with advice about their safety. For the two of us, inside our apartment in self isolation, there’s the comfort of routine. We read, there’s Netflix, phone calls with siblings, friends and updating each other about the latest Corona figures or generally chatting. This week we played chess after years!  We even completed online submissions for our new electoral cards.


Within our apartment complex I have watched the response of residents grow incrementally. A little over a fortnight ago I noticed younger people out during my morning walk. They were now working from home and were using the gained commute time to relax. The residents’ WhatsApp group exchanges were more casual. People asked if the vegetable vendor had arrived or which hand sanitizer was better. A couple more days and schools shut down. The discussions turned to - what are we going to do with the kids?


The situation grew serious and the messages turned increasingly anxious. Should children go downstairs to play? Why are people still gathering in the evenings to chat? Soon it got urgent. What about sanitizing lifts? Railings? checking people at the gate for symptoms?

New Normal 

Then a few days back a small group of residents took the initiative to work out safety protocols and got this going quickly. Part of this process included a training session for security and housekeeping staff as well as domestic helpers employed here. Their special reach out to us senior residents is not only reassuring but also very touching.

Experts warn that community transmission could be underway in India. We looked out of our balcony at the main road in the distance. There seemed to be no let-up in traffic. Yesterday we watched aghast at visuals of crowded chaos at the main railway station in Mumbai as poor immigrants to the city scrambled to get onto the train, before the lockdown, to reach their home towns. Social distancing? Is that a plausible strategy in India?

I thought of the domestic helper who called out a cheery greeting to me yesterday. I wondered if she was as heavily conscious of the situation as I was? Once she leaves this place, is she able to wash her hands and follow precautions when she reaches her home in a crowded locality? When she stands in line to fill water? Is she worried about coming to work? Many of us have asked our helpers to stay home and have committed to pay their salaries. A very small gesture at best in the looming economic picture. For there are millions like her in India. Unorganised, no benefits, no certainties, no choices. Do we have a plan? How can we help them?