Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered daily life, social norms, and professional roles, leading individuals to adopt unexpected behaviors and protective measures.

Abstract

The article reflects on the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society, noting the abandonment of previous goals like "vision 2020" in favor of survival. It highlights how the virus has necessitated unforeseen changes in personal conduct, such as security guards checking temperatures, individuals wearing welding shields in public, and the stigmatization of coughing and sneezing. The piece underscores the surreal nature of these changes, particularly in how they contradict pre-pandemic expectations and norms, including the author's own surprise at wearing masks in church and the general shift towards more natural appearances due to reduced focus on makeup. The pandemic has redefined societal roles and perceptions of what is considered normal or acceptable behavior.

Opinions

The author expresses disbelief at the changes brought about by the pandemic, emphasizing the surreal nature of the new reality.
There is a sense of irony in the role reversal where security guards, rather than medical professionals, are now tasked with using medical equipment like infrared thermometers.
The article suggests a critique of how quickly societal norms can shift in response to a crisis, with actions once considered unimaginable becoming commonplace.
The author points out the fear and caution that the pandemic has instilled in people, leading to the adoption of welding shields as both protection and a fashion statement.
The piece reflects on the loss of innocence in social interactions, where actions as simple as sneezing or coughing have become taboo and sources of fear and suspicion.
The author seems to lament the loss of community and the introduction of fear into everyday interactions, while also acknowledging the necessity of these changes for public health.

I am Not a Welder. It’s Just This Virus; It Has Kept Me This Way

See the unimaginable things this Virus has made us do

Nobody is talking about the vision 2020 anymore. All we are concerned about now is being alive. Everybody is fighting and running from the invisible enemy called Covid-19.

This invisible enemy has turned the world for us and made us do the unimaginable.

The world is turning. It is taking us to different bends.

The world is turning around indeed and no one knows where the next bend will lead to.

It is the truth. Ever since this virus broke out, life has never been the same again. It has made us do the unimaginable.

Will The Nurses, Doctors, and Professors of Medicine Ever Agree If We Had Told Them That One Day, The Security Guard will check their temperature?

A security guard in GT bank, checking the temperature of a customer who came for a transaction (Photo credit: Author)

But it is now a reality. Covid-19 has turned the world and the status quo has changed.

The men at the gate now check the temperature of our doctors and nurses before they are allowed to walk into the bank or other business premises.

This is was not so before.

Before the outbreak of Covid-19 and Ebola, Stethoscope and the Infrared Thermometer were known as the doctors’ companions. We only saw it in well-equipped health care centers and hospitals. They were always on the Doctor’s table. The Chief medics are always the custodians of the highly adored medical kits.

But see where we are today.

The virus has turned the world upside down for us. The medical kits have entered the hands of our security guards and it is their turn to take the vitals of our darling medical doctors.

It is a weird world!

Who will ever believe that I will look this way one day and go to church?

Oh! I would never agree.

If the President has told me to mask this way and walk in the streets, I will protest. If he had said that I should dress this way and go to church, I would cry “Islamization”. I will lead a protest on the streets with my friends.

But the virus has made us do. I am now masked in the church for the fear of the virus.

What about our make-up? We don’t talk about makeup any longer. The virus has made us go natural.

Excuse me! I am Not A Welder.

I now go out every morning wearing my brother’s welding shield. I have never imagined this.

Many people don’t even know that this shield is worn by Welders to protect their eyes while working with a welding machine.

The funny part of it is that it has become a fashion for us. The original owners are not proud to flaunt it. My brother only put it on while working. But we put ours on and move freely in the streets. We even attend occasions with the shield.

It is unimaginable.

This virus has turned the world for us. We are wearing the Welders’ shied for protection and for fashion.

Innocent Sneezing and Coughing In a Crowd is Now a Taboo

I missed those days when we sneezed and the neighbors next to us would say; “live to you” and we replied; “live to you too”. The civilized ones around us would tell us; “sorry” and added “dear” to it.

But now, sneezing in a crowd is a crime. Sneezes that follow by a cough has made you an automatic Covid-19 career.

****

Thanks for reading.

What are those unimaginable things Covid-19 has made you do?

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