For the past several days, I am feeling a bit amused (or confused?) in NOT starting the day the way, I have done in the past. I am not picking the morning newspaper and glossing over the headlines, not going through the WhatsApp posts along with the cup of my favorite morning tea. This is because, I already knew what I am going to see in those headlines, what emotions it will churn and how helpless it will make me feel. The Covid 19 related news and its various statistics certainly have had an impact on me as well.
The Corono/Covid 19 Virus
This invisible nanoparticle size devil (virus), the novel Corona/Covid 19, traveling all around the world and wreaking havoc galore has exposed the fragility of human life and endeavor. News on impending job loss, a slowdown of the economy, hoarding of food items by people and difficult times ahead are covering left, right and center of the newspaper pages. Social media, not to be left behind, has gone on hyperbole with statistics, expert opinions and much fake news spreading faster than the virus itself, Our world was not prepared for “Covid 19”. Certainly not my MS Word editor which admonished me by highlighting the “Covid 19” in red underline 😊.
There is every germ of truth, in the fact that (as on 22 Mar 2020) there are 308,615 confirmed cases worldwide spread over more than 188 countries causing death to 13,071 people so far.
Every country, including mine (India) has jumped into taking necessary measures to contain the spread of this insidious virus. Respective Government has urged its citizens to take precautionary steps including voluntary social distancing, screening at airports, all ports of entry, and imposing junta curfew (mass lockdown) on certain days. The government has mandated every state and private hospitable to create the capacity to quarantine infected people and this has already been put in place. Vaccinations are already in the final stages of trial and will soon be put to use. The government is also taking all steps to create awareness and ensure things do not go out of control. On 22/Mar/2020, the social experiment by our Honorable Prime Minister to stay indoors during the day and thanking the medicos for 5 mins at 5 pm has received unprecedented support throughout the country. The whole country has come together to show solidarity to fight the common enemy, like never before. Thank Medicos
But there are numerous souls who are taking great interest in forwarding depressing news and grim statistics on social media including Whatsapp to their social circles. They are thinking they are creating a great service in creating much-needed awareness on the threat from Covid 19 virus.
The Cumin Seed:
This reminds me of that cumin seed, which got lodged in between my teeth. I noticed it post-lunch , during my drive to Ooty, the beautiful hill station in South India, a few years back. The destination was still several hours away, and the ride was through some beautiful jungles of Madumalai and Bandipur with trees, greenery, and serenity all around. But my whole attention had switched to that cumin seed. My tongue was going back and forth glossing over the tooth to dislodge the stuck cumin seed. The harder I tried, the deeper it went into the gap between my teeth. My anxiety got the better of me. I was not enjoying the scenery anymore. I was thinking when I will reach my hotel, locate a tooth floss or a toothpick to get rid of that cumin seed. To help my frustrated tongue, I was sometimes poking my little finger’s nail into my impacted teeth, only to realize that my car was swerving dangerously close to other vehicles on road. I was not helping anyone. Instead, I was putting my family and myself at great risk. Wisdom struck me soon, when I shifted my focus on driving safely and enjoying the scenery along the way.
The temptation to forward news, statistics on Covid 19 is like that stuck cumin seed from where the senders are unable to take their attention off. It does not help anyone. Rather it makes us lose sight of our destination and stops us from appreciating what the present moment is offering us. It is not saying that we should be lazy and not take any action. But once we have taken action (see list below), to do everything in our power to try and rectify the situation, we need to take our attention from this unpleasant situation.
· Social distancing,
· Work from home
· Maintain personal hygiene, use hand sanitizers or wash hands
· Stay away from going to public places unless urgent, etc.
· Helping other people in need by supporting them financially or otherwise, etc.
· (please add more in comment!)
The “ZARASAAUR” mindset
I bet you will not find this word in Google. And it also not related to any animal or novel virus. Stay tuned!
If we have acted (as per the list above), we need not worry or feel compelled to share those depressing statistics to others. Rather we can start capitalizing on enjoying the opportunities that this unusual situation has bestowed on us:
1- Spend quality time with family – This is a great time to stay indoors and spend quality time with your family members. Complete that long-postponed ‘fun’ projects with your daughter or son or laugh and cheer together by watching the movie with the family. Cook the favorite recipe together with your spouse.
2- Spend time for your self-development – This is the golden time to invest in your self-development. Complete reading the book you always wanted to compete, write articles to express your thought leadership or start practicing meditation to make a better version of yourself.
3- Volunteer to spread the social message on safety and hygiene – Create awareness session in your community (through webinars), support government initiatives such as junta(mass) curfew, create and share content that will motivate people to adhere to the safety guidelines- e.g. make a video that shows the importance of handwashing to the kids. Etc.
4- Crowdsource funds to help impacted people – There are many people, like daily wage earners, people working in unorganized sectors, who are or will be severely impacted by this situation. You can initiate or support some crowdsource fund collection projects/initiatives to support such citizens. Thankfully, the digital platforms and high-speed network will allow us to do that from the boundaries of our home.
5- Feel Happy about the connected Digital World – We should feel happy and express our gratitude for living in an era where we are connected through digital platforms to get most of our work done from the portals of our living room. This is coupled with the fact that, in India, we have the cheapest mobile data rate in the world ($0.26/GB in India vs ~$6-$12/GB in western countries.)
6- Feel Happy on your contribution in reducing pollution – Fewer vehicles on road means less vehicular pollution level. Data is already showing the pollution levels in the air in metro cities have reduced significantly. We should feel happy that we are contributing our bit to make our air cleaner.
I am sure this list can go on. please share more.
But can we push ourselves for “Zara Sa Aur”
“Zara sa Aur” means “a little bit more” in Hindi – India’s official language. Can we spend “zarasaaur” time for self-development, “zarasaaur” minutes with daughter, spouse and parents, can we donate “zarasaaur” money to the help people who are needy, etc. etc. This is a great opportunity to exercise “zarasaaur” in all the activities that will help us make a better version of ourselves. So, the next time, you are tempted to forward a piece of news (fake or real), saddening event or grim statistic that evokes negative emotions, you may pause, think and reflect, is it worth it?
We should resist every temptation to share/forward Covid 19 related news (fake or real) and statistics that depresses us. We should take the mind off from that metaphorical cummin seed (annoying thing/s), rather focus on our direction and drive and enjoy it. We need to push ourselves for “zarasaaur” in each and every action, that our government and health experts are coaxing us to do. This will certainly help us reach our destination of the Covid 19 free world soon. Covid 19 will then exist, but only in the pages of the history book.
By SoumenDe
December 30, 2025
