Sunday is observed as a day of worship and rest in most of the countries of the world. In Christianity, Sunday is also considered as the Lord’s day – a church day.
For almost four decades, I have been enjoying weekends — Saturday and Sunday after five days’ work. Interestingly, for the last five weeks, I’ve had no face to face class, no departmental meeting and, in fact, have been sheltered-in-place at home. In addition, due to my age, I have been spending strictly self-quarantined days as enforced by my daughters, who are living in different cities. I find every day appears to me the same Sunday though, getting up early morning as usual, having tea while tuning to TV and browsing different newspapers around the world.
What a development in 21st century technology: human longevity along with the positive exploration of our planet as well as the whole solar system! I feel life is really exciting even at older age.
History tells us of all the pandemics in the past, and we see they were mostly regional. The one we currently are experiencing seems very unique.
Whom to blame? Some religious person will tell it is God’s punishment. Which God? Christian God, Muslim Allah, Hindu Goddess or Jew’s God? Or it is the work of human? Seriously, we don’t know.
I know soon there will be a sticker — “coronavirus survivor.” Namaste those survivors.
Now I would like to talk about my profession, which is completely dismantled by this pandemic. We are expecting tremendous impacts on academics in the future. With a simple 3-4 days flu virus, students can stay out of class only for a few days.
However, in the future, coronavirus will affect people including students, teachers and staff. Mild infection also takes a month for full recovery. It seems to me, face-to-face class will disappear unless a vaccine can eliminate this virus from this world.
In the future, every academic institution should have a health clinic equipped with coronavirus diagnostic kits, PPE and every hospital should have isolation units. I know microbiology and virology education will be booming along with biotechnology.
There is still a controversy regarding whether virus is airborne or not. The next virus, imagine “COVID-20,” may become completely airborne and able to travel miles. Think about the situation! Our virologist should initiate research thinking of that picture.
Our leadership took very lightly the Wuhan situation, and we are seeing the current fallout. Can we disagree with scientific facts and experts’ opinions? Many third world countries are now wondering how they can battle the coronavirus if the world’s superpowers are helpless against it.
Science can send space craft to Mars; science can predict climate change; science can cure lots of diseases. Thus, I think our leaders of non-scientific background should rely on science and scientist’s opinion to solve a science-related situation.
The other day I was talking to one of my friends over phone. He contracted one handyman before this outbreak to do a renovation of his house. My friend is over 70-years-old. So, he is now self-quarantined in Starkville and the house renovation is on hold. But the handyman needs work for his livelihood. He started mowing my friend’s yards instead without telling. He had the key, so he entered inside and wanted to talk to my friend. He needed some cash. My friend gave him.
I can feel the pain of so many people not only in the USA but around the world who live on daily income. What a terrible time we are passing. We like to see it over soon and are looking forward to seeing a new world to say Namaste.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.