As the coronavirus spreads its tentacles into every crevice of our planet, a lockdown is observed across many parts of the world. Social gatherings are banned, educational institutions, gyms, marriage halls and shopping malls are closed.

Since no vaccination is discovered yet for Covid-19, the only viable approach to curb the virus spread is to practice social distancing. People are advised to stay in their homes. While we all are stuck in this together, the question arises that how responsible we are to deal with the current situation?

Panic won’t help

As public life has come to almost a halt at most places, people feel trapped inside their homes. They turn to social media to feel less disconnected in these strange days of a pandemic. Whereas it is always good to be informed about the happenings around the world, it is equally important to realise how social media can aggravate anxiety into full-blown panic.

Nowadays, Covid-19 is the most talked-about topic and our biggest concern. Many healthcare professionals are using social media to share preventive measures against Covid-19. However, the general public should avoid sharing any virus-related content.

Not only has social media caused the mushrooming of misinformation, but it is also reported that constant reading and sharing virus-related content on social media has triggered among people the panic buying of essentials such as sanitisers, handwash and masks in bulk. Sadly, this panic buying has created a product shortage even for healthcare professionals who are risking their own lives to treat infected people.

A small mistake can be harmful

Among all age groups, kids complain about getting bored most of the time. With schools closed and nowhere to hang-out, young minds constantly struggle to look for ways to kick off their boredom.

Whereas there are a lot of indoor activities to engage minds, many kids deliberately break lockdown rules and play cricket on the streets. Kids should understand that this is a very irresponsible act. Covid-19 is an unseen enemy that could be lurking anywhere outside. Unknowingly, you could bring this enemy into your home and possibly infect yourself and your family members.

Don’t break lockdown rules

A lot of people were posting pictures on social media while going outside for fun during the lockdown. Don’t they realise that posting such stuff on social media for a few likes and shares may bring forth serious repercussions?

People like to imitate each other, especially when they see others doing something challenging. We are asked to stay at our homes not just for ourselves but for the sake of others too. There’s a great need to exhibit a sense of responsibility and discipline during this difficult time.

Things to do at home

If we change how we perceive the current situation, staying at home will make us feel better and can tackle the crisis without aggravating panic. Let’s try to look at it as an opportune moment to spend quality time with our families, instead of scrolling over social media feeds or going outside. We should realise how rarely do we see all family members together unless it is an occasion. But now, we finally have the perfect moment to enjoy each other’s presence and strengthen family ties.

Play some indoor games, read some good books and tell each other stories, engage in family conversations, help your mother in household chores, learn to bake and cook. There’s a long list of things you can do to spark your creativity.

Make it a habit to practice gratitude as it has a great potential to enlighten your vision. It will help you stay calm. Keep a firm belief that God has saved us and our families until today. Likewise, He will keep protecting us all in the future too and whatever is the best for us is going to happen.

Keep your faith high, stay at your homes and things will get better in the future. Let’s redefine curfew to make it sound less horrible. Instead of curfew, you can call it “Care for you”!

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 18th, 2020