I am writing this in a time in history that we have never seen before. In the city of Mumbai, and in diverse countries, a microscopic virus identified as COVID-19 has totally changed the entire way of life for millions.
The National Park has been shut down. Malls, Gyms, swimming pools and schools and colleges across Maharashtra and other states are shut down.
CM Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday directed transport agencies like BEST, Metro, the railways, the state transport corporation and even private buses to run their services at 50% passenger capacity in order to decongest public transport. The state government has also asked local bodies in urban areas to reschedule timings of shops in order to avoid crowds.
Importantly, BMC officials, accompanied by cops, will start visiting private offices across the city from Thursday to check if they are implementing the state’s “50% staff only” directive in the wake of Covid-19 concerns.
This is something totally unprecedented in history!
The virus has made us humans realise how powerless we really are.The nation grinds to a halt. People are told to work from home. WFH. Except of course the soldiers on the frontline of the battle, the Health care workers.
The economy is bound to get hit badly. The Stock market has plummetted.
Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur have been declared shut down today by the Chief Minister.
Let us hope there are some real hard lessons we all remember from this, even as we reach out to our neighbours with practical help in these times of trouble.
Shalom Lifecare 