For those who had either booked a summer holiday or were planning one, this probably is a huge setback to their plan. And it has happened out of the blue. That’s why most would be feeling a little let down and some also staring at the prospect of losing money too through cancellations or even visa expiry for international travel, if the situation does not improve. And of course worried.
We all are worried. It’s not just about our money here that we would lose. It’s about our welfare, our freedom and our life. Travel is not just pleasure, it’s about serious business too. Or just moving around freely. And the handicap it brings when we know we can’t travel. And much more.
The huge damage that lies ahead for airlines, airports, travel agents, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, railways, bus operators, taxis, foreign exchange dealers, banks, organizations, business, education. The list is endless. And the overall effect on the economy of the world.
“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
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What next?
What can each one of us do?
Pray for the departed souls and their families and the speedy recovery of 43,000 or little more people across countries, who are not yet out of danger and fighting the infection today. And pray that the virus does not spread further and each of us act responsibly and do not panic. And ensure we don’t spread panic.
Adopt the best hygiene standards for self and family members. Wash hands frequently with soap or alcohol based hand wash for at least 20 seconds every time. And not touch our mouth, nose or eyes.
Stay indoors as much as possible and Avoid crowded places and get together. And stay at least a meter away from those who seem to have a cold. If we have to cough or sneeze, we do it on our arms with a bent elbow or use a napkin and throw it in the bin immediately. Visit the doctor or the nearest medical center for the slightest of cough and cold symptoms. And make sure we do not shake hands with anyone, strictly. Instead say a Hello from far.
Use a mask when going out. It will help our cough and cold infection, if any, from spreading to someone else. And also filter out out harmful particles for us. But if we do not wear it in the correct fashion, then it’s useless. So take care.
Expect things to improve and be positive in this hour of crisis. I can understand what must be going on in the mind of all natives and my friends living in China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, Germany & USA which are the most affected till now. And all other countries where numbers have gone up in the last week or so, including my country. But then life is about hope. Let’s hope every single day that we will overpower this menace very soon. And get back to normal life again.
And lastly, the man I always remember while I wish for something in my life. Paulo Coelho again. And his book, ‘The Alchemist’.
“The Alchemist” is the story of a young shepherd named Santiago who is able to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. Santiago is a humble shepherd whose desires are few–he wants to be free to roam with his sheep, to have some wine in his wine skin and a book in his bag. Fate intervenes, however, in the form of the recurring dream of a great treasure hidden thousands of miles away at the base of the Egyptian Pyramids. Along the way, he learns to listen to his heart and more importantly, realizes that his dreams, or his personal legend, are not just his but part of the Soul of the Universe.
An Alchemist is one who transforms something ordinary into something extraordinary. Someone who can predict the future through his beliefs, practices and actions. And in his book Paulo Coelho mentions “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Let’s Wish, Pray, Dream and Act Together and we would soon have this unwanted menace out of our life. Hopefully soon. Live life normally. And if you ask me, I was looking forward to holidaying again this summer. Like every year. Looks absolutely out of question. It’s time to stay safe and face the challenge.
That’s what I believe. What about you? Do share your thoughts. It would be a pleasure hearing from you.
Good post and a good reminder to everyone. We can’t predict what’s going to happen next, how long this will last or what the lasting effects will be on the economy. All we can do right now is focus on the preventative steps that each of us can take to minimize the spread and prevent it from getting far worse. If every one of us steps up and does our part, it can have a profound impact. I know a lot of us are feeling helpless, but we need to remember that there IS still stuff that we can do to help.