The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life in so many different ways that most of us are left wondering if things will ever become ‘normal’ again. Just a couple of days into the national lockdown, an almost eerie silence envelopes our days and the emptiness of the streets seems dystopian. However, there are silver linings – people are finding ways to stay upbeat, we are finding little pleasures to perk up our days - the reappearance and sound of birds for instance. There are bison and civets to be seen in the streets, people playing cricket at petrol pumps, doctors singing upbeat songs and even a corona-themed hamburger.
There are such images coming in from all over India – people standing on lines and designated squares patiently waiting to make their purchases. The normally undisciplined Indian with no concept of personal space seems to be learning quickly.
In Spain and Italy, people are being asked to use larger shopping carts to create more distance between shoppers. Others are finding more ways to do the same.
Some are taking extreme, not very smart measures. How about making coffee at home, someone suggested.
Regular people are trying to help those in need; continuing to pay domestic help who cannot come to work. Meanwhile the CRPF made this major contribution according to one tweet.
This is a massive beast usually seen in our national parks. Now this one wandered on to a street – perhaps because of less road traffic?
Humans in, animals out says this tweet. The accompanying video is that of a barasingha, a species of deer which again is rarely seen on urban streets.
A civet, usually a nocturnal creature that prefers to be in the wild is seen on a street in Kerala.
In Rajasthan doctors at a government hospital, are working hard and are keeping their spirits up like this.
While on any other day, this place would be packed with vehicles, right now it is deserted. As an essential service, the pump is open and the attendants seem to be making good use of the time.
One could say this is in poor taste or one could say yum! Sales have gone up so maybe a bun shaped like a virus isn't such a bad idea after all?
Stay healthy, not hungry said the always-topical Amul ad – lockdown advice in the time of corona.
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