Tough times do not last, tough people do!

I have been working from home since last week and our family has voluntarily self-quarantined since past 4 days now. All interactions with the outside world being limited to nothing but virtual! I personally, haven’t ventured out for more than 72 hours now and plan to continue like this for another 48 hours at least!

Over the weekend, memories took me back 30 years, almost to the day, when I was in another self-imposed (well parental actually) quarantine for a week. What amused me was that even then it was about survival and this time is no different.

 Here are my learnings from that quarantine which I find relevant for the current one:

1.    As a teenager who loved outdoor sports, it was difficult to stay put, but I managed. So, however hard it may seem, it can be endured.

2.   Then I thought my parents were paranoid by not allowing me to go out, but in hindsight (always 20/20), it was the most sensible option. So always pay heed to words of wisdom.

3.    When your enemy is unseen and has no sense of discrimination, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4.    I used to think, nothing would happen to me (most likely it wouldn’t have), but now I know, risking one’s life to the folly of youth is not worth it. In current scenario, we’d not be risking just our lives, but also of the ones known and unknown to us, which is absolutely unforgivable.

5.    If you live another day, you can always fight back (in current case, go back to a new normal).

6.   Tough times do not last, tough (in this case sensible) people do. You just need to hang in there!

Given current scenario, it seems such quarantine will continue for some time! That's why it is important to understand that in times like these, its mostly the financially weaker segment, who is at maximum risk, so try to help them. Since last week, we’ve already sent our domestic help on 15 days paid vacation to keep her family, as well as ours, safe! We'd be glad to extend same to a month or more if need be.

We’re doing our bit, hope you’re doing yours! Together we can overcome this by being sensible and ensuring social distance until it is deemed unnecessary.