comparative study

COVID-19 has changed lives all around the globe. Everyone is confined to their homes and the absence of a cure to this disease gives rise to fear and uncertainty. What initially seemed minor, as it only affected some parts of the world, has now spread across everywhere, leaving almost no place unaffected. Nevertheless, there are a plethora of aftermaths of this disease in addition to the many lives that have been lost.

The economic and political changes will be most significant, affecting all of us. In my opinion, the world we will live in post Covid would be very different and perhaps better. A major positive change would be the realization of how unpredictable and short life is. I mean, I could never see myself stuck in the house for my summer break. Maybe once this period ends, we might understand how materialistic things only give us temporary joy and don’t add any REAL value in life. It is, in fact, family and health that lets us feel happy permanently.

This situation will also affect the future by encouraging unity and collective strength. And once we rise stronger, we could do wonders. According to me, it could possibly reduce the amount of conflicts between people. The loss of so many working hours and workers will for sure weaken our country economically and this would be worse for other countries, such as the USA, on which the virus has taken a serious toll. I think this will change the superpowers of the world post Covid and India could rise up stronger than the USA in the post Covid world. These changes of countries’ powers will definitely affect different relations amongst countries, thereby affecting the world.

Although, I believe there are 2 sides of a coin, Covid can bring out negative consequences, exacerbating the predicament, people may think that ‘life is short and unpredictable’ and thus behave haphazardly and thus may hoard up necessities and products which will cause inflation affecting the poor more than the rich. Additionally we would be living in a world that is constantly in the fear of relapsing.

Since the inception of the lockdown on 24th march, the life that we knew outside the house is completely different. The casual walks around the block, the morning jogs in the society, playing around in the park is now no more. The auto rides to the nearest shopping centre, hanging out with friends, and going to school...no more. We have to stay indoors in order to protect ourselves from the deadly virus. No one leaves their safe haven unless absolutely necessary. In fact, in Mumbai, The Indian Army has been released onto the streets of the city to prevent the people from leaving their homes. The lockdown seems like a lifetime of imprisonment.

But what will the world look like after this lockdown is lifted from the country? Will life go back the way we know it in the outside world, or will there be a separate and more cautioned code of conduct? What will our lives be like?
Masks and gloves are now going to be general articles of our clothing. It will be a compulsory part of our lives. Social distancing will be the new norm. I can imagine all the public spaces having transparent screens, separating people from each other, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

How will India be affected?
In India, the economy will be under pressure due to a surge in unemployment and pressure on healthcare. Industries will suffer losses as there will be lesser demand and hence reduced production. The medical departments of our country will be under pressure to cure millions who are going to be infected. The educational experience will be different for all as the strict COVID-19 prevention guidelines will prevail. People will suffer from financial losses as no one will frequently visit shops or salons or groceries.
However, not all is lost. This circumstance will teach us the basic rules of personal hygiene that we should have practised earlier. Due to the decreased population on the roads, nature will be given more space to breathe. People will learn to value their lives and the lives of others. Sympathy will be in play. Over time, our kind has become very selfish and self-centred, but now we are helping others. Donating food, clothes and money to those with less fortunate lives. We are also learning to trust and put faith in fellow human beings and treat others with the respect they deserve. Now that we are forced to become independent, we realise how much we depend on others, how easy they made our lives.

There is no doubt that our lives cannot go back to the way it was immediately after the lockdown is lifted, but slowly and steadily it will change. During these times we need to be cautious for ourselves and for others. We are humans, and it is human nature that we socialize with others and it is impossible to keep ourselves inside the home for the rest of our life just because of the COVID-19 virus, so life must go on. Life will not be the same as the ones that we led before this pandemic but we must be grateful as a country to have the freedom that we will get once the lockdown is lifted because there are many others who may not have that freedom for a long time now.

While we know this pandemic has damaged the world, we have managed to forget that whenever the human race has had a downfall, it has always come back up and fought it. Just like that, we will win this fight against the virus. The pandemic is reshaping the world and some things are perhaps going to stay years after the lockdown is over. What I am trying to say is that we are going to have to adjust to a NEW NORMAL.

First of all, let us talk about fitness. Fitness is key. Fitness is something a lot of people pursue in hopes of staying fit and often use gyms to do so. In addition to many people being in a room, while working out, people sweat quite a lot while exercising. Gym equipment is also used by many people in a day. I believe that separating gym equipment in separate rooms would help. Additionally, 2-3 people could use a room for 30 mins and then once they are done, they could press a button that sanitizes the whole room. This allows the room to be disinfected for the next person.

Secondly, public transport. Public transport could potentially increase the spread of the virus. The amount of people using public transport must be controlled. While I believe it's best if people don't step outside in the first place, this might not be possible for all. Instead of using local trains and busses, people can, for a while, use their own cars or autos/taxis as such modes limit the number of people.

Lastly, masks and gloves must be made a necessity. If someone is caught not wearing masks and gloves, they must be fined...it is the only way to bring in discipline.

I would like to end by saying we’ve been sitting on our comfy couches for too long. It is time to get up and get creative. Even though there isn't much we can do, thinking and innovating is something we can. We wanted to go to space and we got creative, built a spacecraft and went to space. Similarly, we have got to get creative and create a NEW NORMAL and normalize it.

As people stay at home they are safe and sound until they decide to go out for some fresh air. The question is if it is really important to go out of our houses? Or can we just stand in our balcony and take in the fresh air, just grab a chair, a coffee cup in our hands and just enjoy our peaceful time.

‘THE NEW NORMAL’ is an oxymoron. It is a complex situation but also a very easy task, sooner or later you just get the hang of it. COVID-19 is a really new pandemic in our normal life. So does the fear still stay?

I don’t think so because people are there in their homes with so many activities to distract them from this new pedamic. So this really new pandemic has become a really simple situation now. An easy way to say this is, following the 4s’ :
Stay Home, Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy.

I have listed down a few normals “pre-covid” which have now become the new normal “post-covid”

It is most definitely in our human nature to criticize any situation we experience. Naturally, you and me have cribbed throughout the 80 days of lockdown. However, in these dire, once in a 100 years, situations we tend to forget how unbelievably fortunate we are. While the lockdown might seem to be an eternal war between you and boredom, the world and the majority of its people are fighting a rather one-sided battle against survival.

As news flashes of rising poverty rates,and crippling living standards flooded my news feed, I realised how ignorant the majority of us have begun. The Monetary Fund(IMF) has conducted a detailed analysis of post-COVID-19 poverty rates. Extreme poverty in the world will rise this year by about 50 million people compared to the original 2020 forecast. With numerous people moving onto the streets by the end of this year, economies will crash, politicians will start playing the blame game, the gap between the rich and poor will increase and entire communities will cripple.

The upper strata of society- the men, women and children blessed with means to fulfill their needs and wants- have forgotten their roles as humans. Perhaps you and I fit into this category and it is our moral duty and responsibility to help the people in need, NOW. The loss of countless lives due to poverty and not COVID-19 will affect each and every one of us, regardless of our socioeconomic status. Helpers, cleaners and security guards can be helped, rather, rewarded by giving them some money, safety equipment or donating money through authorised NGO’s.

As for our new normal post corona, things that affect the majority of you, everything changes. The pandemic has allowed us to easily identify and eliminate inefficient activities. Offices will render useless as companies prove that working from home is more efficient both, time and money wise. As for the majority of us Indians, our horizons will continue to expand. With an increasing well-educated population, Indians will be able to produce and manufacture more, our rise to stardom will take off and take the world by storm. Collectively as humans, our medical expertise will increase dramatically, giving us an edge over any possible pandemics in the future(let's keep our fingers crossed till then)

I could have presented a thousand facts in front of you but that would not do any justice to the gravity of our current situation. I strongly urge you to start taking some action, this time as men and women call us for help, we cannot afford to hit the snooze button. And that, is our new normal.

The impact of corona virus has reshaped the world. All institutes have closed down, the shops, schools, offices, temples and transport too. Everyone is working and learning in the comfort of their houses and are trying their best to adapt to this situation. With lockdowns continuously increasing, our hopes of going out of the house are dying down. Recently, the Maharashtra government has allowed only essential movements for medications or to visit hospitals. They have also allowed private offices to open but with only 10% of the workforce. Only two wheelers, four wheelers, taxis, cabs and rickshaws are allowed to move on the streets. There are still many restrictions right now, for example- hotels, educational institutes, temples and places of worship, large gatherings, spas, malls, restaurants, salons may remain closed. Even after the lockdown ends and we will be unable to continue with our normal life, there will be some restrictions and measures we will need to take. Some of them are-

• Wearing masks and using sanitizers.
• Continue the practice of social distancing.
• Schools may need to separate tables in cafeterias.
• Planes may be operational but with only a limited amount of people.
• Avoiding mass gatherings.
• Try to avoid contact through money and instead go cashless.

In many other countries, schools have resumed but with new rules and practices. For example- Each student has their own cubicle around their desk made out of glass slabs to avoid contact. In my opinion we should continue online classes as that reduces risks of being in contact with many people. Now is the time to update our digital methods and make this a digital age due to the risks outside. There are many people risking their lives at this very moment. Doctors and nurses staying in hospitals and taking care of corona infected patients, Doctors and scientists trying to find a cure and end this all, watchmen and guards staying in buildings to help the people residing in it and many more. Practicing all the guidelines is a must as we need to protect ourselves for we do not know what is laying ahead waiting for us.

Referring to the current situation we are going through, it is extremely difficult to predict what will be coming our way as we are amidst a huge crisis the world together is facing.We are not certain about when this will be over and when will we be able to experience a ‘normal’ routine again.

So far, it has been a tormenting time for all of us and we have been trying to work along and co-operate with these conditions.But at the same time realizing the severeness of the cause of this pandemic has kept us going and being considerate.After all health matters more Covid-19 has surely been one of those events that caused chaos all across the globe. .It has entirely changed our daily lives.We have reconstructed our schedule since lockdown and have tried to adapt to it. The Human race together have altered their lifestyles and follow different principles in order to stay healthy. This is of paramount importance to fight this upheaval. Research has mentioned that this virus will exist and has already existed.Hence, the solution will be to find a cure for it.

Transforming not only our current lives, this pandemic also poses changes for our future. Even after the offices, schools, markets,and the other public places open up, everyone will have to take few precautions to maintain hygiene and avoid relapsing. This can include forming various rules which ensure a certain amount of distance between each and everyone and all the places are sanitized.For example increase the amount of cleaning in the area. If it is a store and clean ups were a weekly thing, it must be changed to every two days or everyday. In queues (at airports, supermarkets, etc.) maintain two to three feet of distance between each individual. If not followed, strict measures must be taken. Public places, including schools, must check everyone’s temperature through non-contact infrared thermometers before they enter the premises. Avoiding trips to international destinations is also important as it can cause contact with various people beyond your country’s border which can be dangerous. A limit must also be set on the number of people who travel in local trains as local trains are so densely populated.

We will definitely have to reshape our future. After all, it is beneficial for us and in the support of our survival. Change is something the human race doesn’t prefer and doesn’t want to experience in their lives, but being in your comfort zone is not the very key to survival.

Like Steoehn Hawking said, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

According to me, the changes below are something we will experience once things get relaxed. This will be our NEW NORMAL.

Once we reach school, in front of the school gate, we will have to sanitize everything- the bottom of your shoes, hands, and whole body.Maybe a sanitation room. After that a machine will scan our bodies to detect anything unusual such as fluctuating body temperature.

Then, every class must have different time slots to go up the stairs to their respective classrooms. In their classrooms, each desk could be about 1-3 meters away from their neighbouring desk.

In the lift, floor number buttons could be placed at the bottom of the lift so each person can press the button with their feet.The lift will sanitize itself after a person leaves and when the lift is empty. Perhaps done by sensory-automated equipment.

Supermarkets will also have to follow the rules of self-distancing and sanitization as well.Gloves should be compulsory everywhere we go. We must not be allowed to touch anything without gloves.

Since the evolvement of the COVID-19 virus, fear has been spreading globally, alarming families and companies into taking appropriate precautions avoiding the spread of this deadly virus. It has taken millions of lives and shows no sign of stopping.

It has reshaped our lives in unexpected ways, making us more cautious and aware of our surroundings. With bad news coming left and right, it has made us appreciate those around us and taught us to be grateful for the lives that we have, for the food and other basic necessities that we are provided with and the luxuries we receive.

Having brought sorrow to many and destroying countless families, it has forced us to take precautions to avoid the same happening in the future.

Some of the precautions that I believe should and would be taken are :-

• Social distancing taken to a certain extent at places such as schools, offices and other public places. This may not be taken very seriously but should take place wherever possible.
• Schools and offices could have a sanitisation area where students and employees entering the building could sanitize themselves.
• Slots could be given to students and employees as to when they could use the lifts or stairs.
• A special place could be provided to keep bags, lunch bags etc.
• Cleanliness of schools and buildings would have to be improved after they resume working.
• Play areas could have restrictions as to how many people could be present at a certain time.

COVID-19 has infected over six million people over the world, due to which, around 400,000 have lost their lives. This pandemic is taking a toll on society and will continue to gravely affect the entire world for months to come.. Some governments have been wise enough as they have taken strict and adequate precautions in order to contain this virus. On the other hand, some governments had prioritized the economy and imposed restrictions when it was already too late. On a positive note, nearly three and a quarter million people have been recovered. This event will surely be remembered in the future because it is going to severely impact some ‘normals’ of the society in the future.

Let’s recap a few things. Some governments, like the Indian one, have taken some harsh but effective decisions that have tried restricting the spread of this virus. A lot of influencers like Datta Ram Patil and Sonu Sood, just to name a few, around the whole country have been helping the poor and needy with aid such as distribution of food packets. A police inspector, Arun Kumar Singh, who was on medical leave decided to start his own community kitchen where he could help the needy with food packets. This is an example of a case where humanity is respected and put before everything.

As we know that this pandemic is a major blow to the world’s economy, there will be some changes in our normal lifestyle that will come into place because of this deadly virus. According to me, nearly all public places will be strictly observed and restrictions on gatherings like limiting it to not more than 4 people. Similarly, workplaces will make some changes to their work schedules, like shifting desks with more distance between them and shifting break timings so that less people can gather. Schools would also do the same and take a little more precaution as children are more prone to infection. Cinema halls and stadiums would also keep in mind social distancing. Regularly, people would be wearing masks everywhere. We may have to look at a masked world.

I feel that even when we are done with the COVID-19, we would have to prepare ourselves for any such forthcoming events. For instance, the USA, where one-third of the world’s cases are, was late in decision making and its supply and production have been very low because most of the cases are from factories. The world is not going to look as it did before because of the new norms implied everywhere.

This event is probably going to make people believe in what the old man said
- Prevention is better than cure