Mine was ordinary
confinement with my ‘bundle of joy’, intended to strike out a couple of months
on the calendar (provided by the local bank) hanging on that wall. Who
knew it would be etched in the history of mankind, (no) thanks to the
microscopic convoy going haywire! I was tired post-childbirth and
mentally unprepared for the sleepless ‘cry-full’ nights. It was chaotic for me,
and nobody told me it would be so. Days passed by in learning, recovering, and
adjusting to the high pitched crying. Like any other lazy person, I have always
wished for a time when I wake up in the morning without having to hustle
through the routine. Now I am awake every two hours without a routine! While
earlier a 30 minutes nap did not count in my sleep cycle, now I look forward to
it.
In between changing nappies, I could catch up with some updates on the current developments. A couple of weeks ago when the gravity of the pandemic had not hit us Indians, daily soap operas and films dominated our television screen during primetime. Now, it is buzzing with news of the overkill from across the globe. On the global scale, countries were (are still) learning to carve their way out of the pandemic. The world was moving towards “lockdown”. Across the world, nations have sealed borders. And we still don’t know for how many more days. I couldn’t help but think of the similarities between my personal confinement and the global restrictions on movement. Our way of life is now being altered by the restrictions imposed to ‘flatten the curve’ under the pandemic. These restrictions are subtle reminders of the fact that our ‘bare life’ is what matters the most.
Globally, restricted movements and self-isolation are the recommended ways to slow down the spread. As a customary practice movement of the new mother-baby duo is also restricted to a great degree. I retained my connection with the world through my mobile (phone) during this time of immobility. Even there, never-ending SMS notifications have moved from ‘visit our nearest branch’ to the importance of ‘sanitizing hands’, ‘stay indoors, stay safe’, and ‘recharge and transact online’. Under the lockdown, the number and duration of phone calls have increased. Long lost acquaintances are also reconnecting. Owing to limited mobility, traffic has shifted from busy roads to the internet. Stranded in a different state from us, my husband is one of the patrons of the World Wide Web. Confinement for us meant a few months of distance yet the option to visit was always open. Lockdown inverted our expectations and dulled our collective emotions over the uncertainty.
Our privileges are embedded in us so much so that oftentimes we forget to notice them. I began to value the finer details of my life during this confinement. Six months of maternity leave is the latest privilege I got. It is going to be the toughest at the same time the most exciting leave of my life. Soothing the crying infant and washing soiled nappies are the two most time taking activities. Earlier ‘time’ was a privilege that I thoroughly enjoyed. Now some days just pass away trying to monitor different activities of my baby. ‘Me time’ is a thing of past at this juncture. The ability to access basic amenities, groceries, television, and the internet is another set of privileges we enjoy. Every time my father goes to the market to fetch groceries our fingers are crossed. We are also witnessing a wave of change in the way hygiene is practiced at a larger scale. Hand sanitizers are selling like hot pancakes. More people are washing their hands. Unfortunately, not everyone is endowed with these privileges.
I have been keeping a tab on my infant’s actions and reactions; anything new soon becomes a problem in my eye. So, I tracked down several online resources to educate myself. I am learning and trying to respond accordingly. Tons of resources are available online that explain the current public health emergency. News channels and newspapers are full of Corona related updates. Science of virulence may not be a cakewalk for many but how about common sense? In spite of warnings, the news is filled with the irresponsible behavior of individuals and groups. How do we bring a collective sense there?
As I tend to my newborn, I hope the world learns, adjusts, and recovers.
We must take this time to reflect on our lifestyles and value the privileges we enjoy in simple things in our life. Distance will hopefully bring people closer, making us value togetherness. And hopefully, we won’t forget to wash hands after the lockdown is over.
P.S. I sent this piece to a popular daily, they did not publish it :(
In between changing nappies, I could catch up with some updates on the current developments. A couple of weeks ago when the gravity of the pandemic had not hit us Indians, daily soap operas and films dominated our television screen during primetime. Now, it is buzzing with news of the overkill from across the globe. On the global scale, countries were (are still) learning to carve their way out of the pandemic. The world was moving towards “lockdown”. Across the world, nations have sealed borders. And we still don’t know for how many more days. I couldn’t help but think of the similarities between my personal confinement and the global restrictions on movement. Our way of life is now being altered by the restrictions imposed to ‘flatten the curve’ under the pandemic. These restrictions are subtle reminders of the fact that our ‘bare life’ is what matters the most.
Globally, restricted movements and self-isolation are the recommended ways to slow down the spread. As a customary practice movement of the new mother-baby duo is also restricted to a great degree. I retained my connection with the world through my mobile (phone) during this time of immobility. Even there, never-ending SMS notifications have moved from ‘visit our nearest branch’ to the importance of ‘sanitizing hands’, ‘stay indoors, stay safe’, and ‘recharge and transact online’. Under the lockdown, the number and duration of phone calls have increased. Long lost acquaintances are also reconnecting. Owing to limited mobility, traffic has shifted from busy roads to the internet. Stranded in a different state from us, my husband is one of the patrons of the World Wide Web. Confinement for us meant a few months of distance yet the option to visit was always open. Lockdown inverted our expectations and dulled our collective emotions over the uncertainty.
Our privileges are embedded in us so much so that oftentimes we forget to notice them. I began to value the finer details of my life during this confinement. Six months of maternity leave is the latest privilege I got. It is going to be the toughest at the same time the most exciting leave of my life. Soothing the crying infant and washing soiled nappies are the two most time taking activities. Earlier ‘time’ was a privilege that I thoroughly enjoyed. Now some days just pass away trying to monitor different activities of my baby. ‘Me time’ is a thing of past at this juncture. The ability to access basic amenities, groceries, television, and the internet is another set of privileges we enjoy. Every time my father goes to the market to fetch groceries our fingers are crossed. We are also witnessing a wave of change in the way hygiene is practiced at a larger scale. Hand sanitizers are selling like hot pancakes. More people are washing their hands. Unfortunately, not everyone is endowed with these privileges.
I have been keeping a tab on my infant’s actions and reactions; anything new soon becomes a problem in my eye. So, I tracked down several online resources to educate myself. I am learning and trying to respond accordingly. Tons of resources are available online that explain the current public health emergency. News channels and newspapers are full of Corona related updates. Science of virulence may not be a cakewalk for many but how about common sense? In spite of warnings, the news is filled with the irresponsible behavior of individuals and groups. How do we bring a collective sense there?
As I tend to my newborn, I hope the world learns, adjusts, and recovers.
We must take this time to reflect on our lifestyles and value the privileges we enjoy in simple things in our life. Distance will hopefully bring people closer, making us value togetherness. And hopefully, we won’t forget to wash hands after the lockdown is over.
P.S. I sent this piece to a popular daily, they did not publish it :(
Story of metamorphosis at personal and social level, entangled in an alluring post. Best idiosyncratic moment a women can be at - triumph of a motherhood and curiosity of a social science nerd collides. Within sealed borders you have open gates for love and care for your newborn, irony at its best.
ReplyDeleteConfinement is an illusion while lockdown is real. We are physically restricted but figment of mind is free to fly. Roads of web could be congested but power of reasoning doesn't care. Draining energy to care for little one, sleepless nights (& days) and lack of appreciation drives anxiety. Brain tricks solace in curiosity. There are two way of quenching the eternal human curiosity either explore the world or explore self. Later is the call now, a new curve of learning. Privileged are those who have new toys to play.
Mankind evolved without a routine and so does each individual. Nature doesn't reward undeserving individual but this gift comes with challenge that you are so used to - planning. It will break some thought process but like chrysalis bit by bit everything has to be molded, reframed to realize the true potential.
Society as a whole makes better decision compared to most intelligent individual. Collective determination will rule the verdict in favor of humanity. Journey continues, enjoy the story till you can ...
Lovely writing!
ReplyDeleteVery nice article!
ReplyDelete