Oh, what a night… no dances, no parties!

December 31st is generally much-looked-forward-to by almost everyone, the world over. And, who wouldn’t want to experience the dawning of a new year!

This year, however, we have all got to think of New Year’s Eve, 2020, in a entirely new setting…now being referred to as the ‘new normal.’

My mind was focused on this ‘new normal’ scene, for December 31st, 2020, when an interesting letter came my way.

Sumedi Rathnayaka says she is a a very keen reader of my Tuesday and Thursday pages, in The Island, and…yes, I believe, she has contributed some articles, in the past.

Her last mail did make interesting reading and I thought of sharing it with you.

And, this is what she has to say…

“I was kind of nonplussed when I came across an online article where it was mentioned that New Year’s Eve parties, and large events, have been banned.

“According to the article, police spokesman Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana has said that the festive season must be celebrated, only among family members.

“Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, parties, and events, to mark the New Year, will not be permitted, he is quoted as having said..

“The importance of wearing face masks, social distancing, and continuously washing, or sanitizing your hands, has also been stressed.

“This is quite in order, and I endorse his instructions, taking into consideration, the situation, in the country, with regard to Covid-19.

“However, I’m curious to know, from readers, and, perhaps, from DIG Ajith Rohana, as well, has to how the shooting of teledrama episodes still continue!

“Can one wear a face mask, or keep that required social distance, when the filming is in progress?

“Even these local reality shows are exposed to the dangers of Covid-19.

“I think the law should apply to everyone.”

I agree with the views expressed by Sumedi Rathnayaka, and, in fact, I’ve also touched on the shooting of these teledrama episodes.

I’m not aware of any action taken by the authorities concerned as I continue to see, on social media, photos of the camera crew, production team, actors and actresses, etc., enjoying themselves, unconcerned about face masks and social distancing.

Where reality shows are concerned, I wonder if each contestant is given a separate mic for his/her performance or, is the same mic used by all the participants!

Also, I would love to see the venues that now provide live lobby entertainment, for their guests, strictly abide by the rules, laid down by the health authorities, so that the entertainment scene will not be taken to task, at any stage, with regard to a spike in Coronavirus cases.

In the meanwhile, German virologist, Professor Hendrik Streeck, believes that parties, and other large gatherings, should be stopped, completely, in order to lower infections.

“This virus is not disappearing. It has now become part of our daily lives,” he is quoted as having said. “It will still be here, in three years, and we have to find a way to live with it.”