Life’s Like That – The year that was

Remembered Yesterdays

by J. Godwin Perera

2020 may well be called the year of Covid-19. ‘Annus Horribilis,’ is an apt description. This term came into prominence way back in November 1992 when it was used by no less a person than Queen Elizabeth II. That year saw the Royal family in disarray. Except for the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who had zealously adhered to their marriage vows and led dignified scandal free lives, in many other aspects it was the worst year in her monarchy.

Here in Sri Lanka the first case of Covid-19 was detected on January 17. Coincidentally it was a Chinese national, a 44 year old lady from the province of Hubei. After all the very first case in the world was from Wuhan city in China. After her complete recovery she was given a ceremonial send off with a bouquet and a kiss from the Minister of Health the Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi. It had to be so considering the fact that very close ties exist between China and Sri Lanka. On March 16 the first Sri Lankan was tested positive. From then on Covid -19 has spread its tentacles throughout the length and breadth of this country. In fact these tentacles have reached out to every continent and every country in the world.

But it will be a serious omission if right here at the onset, the most honorable of honorable mention is not given to those who valiantly did their best to control this virus during the past year and are still tirelessly doing their best. Heading the list is the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa whose initiative and commitment is most admirable. It will be recalled that on his instructions SriLankan Airlines UL 1423 brought back to Sri Lanka on February 1, 33 students trapped in Wuhan city. Since then thousands of Sri Lankans have been repatriated fulfilling their hopes and wishes. Yes, our country is fortunate that in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, we had the right person in the right position during this critical period.

With military precision and political acumen he led the anti –Covid troops. Next is General Shavendra Silva who as Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid -19 outbreak was an able second-in- command. Then there are the others like the Director General of Health Services and the Chief Epidemiologist. And so to the ground troops where pride of place has to be given to the Public Health Inspectors. Theirs was a thankless job. But they did it. Even being spat upon by an unpatriotic, bigoted, stupid.

However it must be noted that this is not a sequential description of where and when this virus spread here in Sri Lanka. Nor is this a summary of the number of Covid cases detected, the mortality, the number of recoveries and other statistics for the past year. For this other sources are available.

This is merely some highlights in the life of a very ordinary citizen during this period. A year of coping and moping with lockdowns and lockups. Of grumbling and mumbling due to shut downs and shut ups. Of reading and re-reading the same books for the 45th time because the Public Library was closed. And all the dust covered books and old magazines on the shelves at home were cleaned and read and re-read with monotonous regularity. But let’s give credit where credit is due and that too, thanks to the credit card. The super markets were really super. There was on- line ordering and groceries etc… delivered to the home. Of course there was the occasional mish-mash when the quantity delivered was more than the quantity ordered. But as the good lady in the home declared ‘ It won’t go waste, no?’

Purchasing the doctor prescribed medicines was a test of patience. First a run through of the check list before leaving home – face mask? prescription? wallet? credit card? All in order. As soon as the car is on the main road a policeman raises a hand to stop. Prescription shown through the window. Policeman waves you on with a smile. Arrive at hospital. ‘Pharmacy Open 24 Hours a Day’ states a notice board. So far so good. Car is parked. At entrance feet, hands are scrupulously sanitized. Personal details like name, address, mobile phone number are entered in a register.

Things are looking better. Enter the pharmacy area. There is a long winding queue of over 75 people. But the hospital is very considerate. Chairs are placed four feet apart and one is told by a very polite nurse to go sit at the end of the queue. Now begins a game of musical chairs. Every 10 or 15 minutes one has to hop on the chair in front. The chair is warm. Very warm. Body heat from the previous occupant’s rear has still not dispersed. One wants to stand but is politely told by the polite nurse to sit and wait. Emphasis on the word ‘sit.’ One smiles and politely inquires as to how long one will have to wait.

She looks at the seated queue ahead and sweetly says ‘ About two hours only’. But adds hopefully ‘if you’re lucky may be less.’ There is a cafeteria close by. It’s tempting to have a cup of tea and a bite. So once more with a smile (One must always smile when dealing with officials who hold your future, however temporary, in their hands) the nurse is informed. She says ‘Please tell the behind seated patient to keep your place.’ Advice heeded. Behind seated patient is informed. He nods sympathetically. After two and a half hours medicines are purchased and one is on one’s way home. Policeman waves. I wave. Whew! that was a relief.

But hold on. Consider how Covid -19 impacted our lives last year. A report stated that the air quality in Colombo has shown a drastic improvement. Naturally less vehicles. Less pollution.

Then consider the new concepts which were implemented under the term ‘New Normal.’ A change in our life-styles which experts say will last a very long, long, time. Like ‘working from home.’ Not to be confused with ‘home work.’ Will employers consider that this in the long run is beneficial to the company ? Less office space, less cost of air conditioning, less usage of petrol. But will there be a higher level of productivity? How does one motivate employees through working from home? Where is the inter-personal relationships that makes the office environment more conducive for work ? But what will the employees say? Perhaps it’s best to leave this to the HR experts.

Will school heads consider on-line teaching and learning as advantageous in the long run? Less classroom space. Less equipment like blackboards etc….Less maintenance work. Most importantly will students enjoy what we of an older generation experienced – the happiness of school days.

Then consider this. One report stated that the periods of curfew/isolation, working from home, on line learning, brought families closer together. Both physically and more importantly, emotionally. Husbands and wives. Parents and children. No office. No socials. No clubs. The question is did it really bring families closer together? Was there not a vast vacuum of emptiness? A desperate longing to get out of home? Yes, home and families are the very foundation of our society. But we humans are social animals. Friends, co-workers, club associates, early morning walking companions, gym pals. This is the social milieu in which we spend the greater part of waking lives. Change that and we lose our very personalities. We will even lose the value and love of home and families.

Since we are still in the first month of the New Year it is not too late to wish and hope that 2020 – the ‘Annus Horribilis’ will be only a once in a century phenomenon. May you have a Covid -19 free and very contented New Year!