New Year, New Variant
2021 began with a lot of anticipation. Indians, after a year of living in fear of Covid, we’re grateful to scientists, doctors and pharmaceutical companies who worked at superspeed to ensure that people around the world would get vaccinated. We prayed that this vaccine would safeguard us from the deadly variants of Covid.
The rollout of the vaccine was disproportionate across the world. While some countries stockpiled, others tried unsuccessfully to procure vaccines for their population. Fortunately, India developed its own vaccine. Despite the size of our population, those willing to be vaccinated got their shots in a phased manner in 2021.
However, the Delta variant created havoc in densely populated India. The breakthrough cases were not severe, but many who had not received their vaccine succumbed to the deadly variant. Shortages of oxygen, hospital beds, queues at crematoriums were a reality we dealt with throughout the year.
By September in India, things started looking better. Covid cases began to recede, and people began to meet, socialise, and normalcy seemed to be returning. Diwali was celebrated with optimism, and we hoped that we had seen the last of Covid.
However, the virus mutated, and reports from South Africa of a new variant started making news.
I decided to brave a visit to Dubai. After two years of being homebound and not meeting family, I willingly chose to undergo tedious testing at home, then at Delhi and Dubai airport and one final test 48 hours before return.
We had a lovely vacation thanks to my sister-in-law and brother. We were careful, and much to our surprise, Dubai had so many tourists from all over the world who were quite casual. Malls were packed, and people seemed fearless. Most locals had already received their booster doses, giving them a false sense of security.
We returned just as omicron was spreading across the world and numbers were growing exponentially. We were happy to be home safe and sound before it arrived in India.
We all make resolutions at the onset of a new year. This year, after two years, of dealing with Covid, I was in no frame of mind to make resolutions.
I love to travel, but travelling during a pandemic is too risky and cumbersome.
I love to socialise and meet friends, but the contagious and fast-spreading nature of omicron denies me the ability to do all the things I enjoy.
I have not seen a movie or enjoyed popcorn at a cinema for two years.
I have forgotten to dress in formal attire, use lipstick and now have a collection of masks that I hate wearing but need to all the while.
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”
What goals do I set for myself in 2022?
I have decided to devote this year to being a nicer human being. To be compassionate, understand the challenges the less privileged face and help out wherever possible.
I have to be grateful and devote more time to being fit and eating healthily – no more binge eating out of boredom or just for taste. Eat to live and be happy as the choices you make impacts your physical and mental well being.
I must appreciate my good fortune and the fact that I do not have to step out to earn a livelihood. I see so many who have no option, so despite the threat of catching the virus, they continue to work and expose themselves and their families to the risk every day.
I appreciate the fact that doctors have been working tirelessly for the last two years to keep us all fit and healthy. They have been on a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs, and I pray that 2022 gives them a respite and the pandemic comes to an end.
Yet the beginning of a year fills one with hope and positivity. Hope that I can meet my friends regularly for lunches and dinners, visits malls, shop blingy clothes without guilt, go for head massages and pedicures without having to worry. I would like to travel to countries I have wanted to visit, but not had the opportunity these last two years. I want to go back to the days when family members could freely visit each other without the fear of spreading Covid. The fear of stringent measures or closing airports should become history, and I pray that future generations do not have to live through a pandemic ever again.
I want to delete and empty the recycle bin so that the virus never returns to haunt humanity again.
As we move ahead,
“We have a chance to do something extraordinary. As we head out of this pandemic we can change the world. Create a world of love. A world where we are kind to each other. A world were we are kind no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, what religion or lack of or what job we have. Let love and kindness be our roadmap.”
Johnny Corn
