Much has been talked and continued to be discussed
about Covid-19 so I’m not going to do that. What I want to say is that almost
everybody hurts and is hurting from it.
The healthcare personnel who are exposed to all
sorts of diseases and now having to include this menace into their everyday
battle. They have to leave their families behind and don face masks, face
shields and thick skin to deal with patients including those who think they’re
above the hoi polloi.
The public of course who have to observe social
distancing, new norms, restricted movement, lockdown and whatnot.
The traders, be they small Mom-and-Pop set-ups,
small and even medium-size businesses.
Those in the service industry.
Those in the hospitality industry. A number of
hotels have already been closed and gone out of business.
Parents who now have to do home teaching to their
children.
Children who are missing their friends, teachers,
schools, the parks and their extended families like grandparents, uncles and
aunts.
The senior citizens are already living on their own
and who view the short trip to the restaurants as a small pleasure they look
forward to.
The mosque-, church-, temple-goers.
The abused wives who now have to stay in with their
tormentors 24/7.
The abused children who have nowhere and no one to
run and turn to.
The fishermen and farmers who couldn’t sell their
catch and produce earlier because of transportation restriction (hopefully all
have been resolved).
Those sick and bedridden or dying alone who are
robbed of the presence and comfort of dear and loved ones in their final hours.
The family members who are robbed of performing
their last duty to their loved ones.
The factory workers and other low- and unskilled
workers who are made redundant when the factories and construction works are
stopped.
The sportsmen who cannot train and compete.
And the list goes on and on and on.
Every single one of us hurts.
Some say we’re all in the same storm but not in the
same boat. And yet some say we’re in the same boat but not in the same storm.
Whichever it is, we’re all facing Covid-19 at the same time but our experiences
will be different. And while some have taken up new skills or explored new
sides to themselves (some may have discovered they are decent cooks or gifted
painters), some may not have taken up anything. No matter. Surviving this is
already a feat on its own. Every one of us have our own challenges and trials
that no one else knows about so getting through this trying times is more than
enough.
