As we are on the brink of ringing in year 3 of the pandemic, I am proud to say that I am fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19. But on the day of my booster shot last month, I did wake up feeling anxious about getting back to a post-pandemic normal life. After a few days of pondering over my strange reaction, here are some reasons why I think the idea of unmasking is not making me jump with joy.
- First, as a rule of thumb, I don’t
jump or twirl. I literally can’t. I don’t have the balance for it. Plus, I am on an injury-free streak this year
and have no wish to jeopardize that.
- I will have you know that my husband has invested heavily in masks and sacrificed a lot for the safety of our family. In March 2020, you may remember that all the world went crazy and hoarded up masks. It was so hard to get our hands on any, but did I lose heart and wring my hands? No sir, not me. I immediately went online and ordered a shiny, new sewing machine and before it was even delivered, I got ready by cutting my husband’s many excellent cotton dhotis into small pieces. When the sewing machine arrived at our door the next day, it struck me that I had overlooked a small detail. I didn't know how to sew. Not a single button worth my spit. Still, all was not lost. I stored the machine inside a closet, placed an order for masks with a manufacturer in China for only a small fortune and used up all the cut pieces of dhotis around the house as rag cloths. I figured the money I saved buying rag clothes would offset the cost of the masks from China. I love how these things work out in the end. Anyway, I am fairly positive that my husband has forgiven me for making koththu parotta of his dhotis. Every time I see the sewing machine in the closet now, I remember his sacrifice and consider wearing a mask a tribute to his generosity.
- After many months of meeting friends
and family only on Zoom, I don’t know how I feel about seeing everyone back in
full human form with bodies, arms and legs instead of just neck and up. I worry about not recognizing them. With good reason, I must say. A lot of my new young students have only seen
me on Zoom. One such little boy knocked
on my door with his father a couple of months ago wanting to get my blessings
for Vijayadasami. He looked dazed and disturbed
the entire 5 minutes he was here. He
wouldn’t believe that I was the same aunty that he saw each week on Zoom. I had sprouted legs and all, you see. I had to finally glare at him with squinted
eyes like I would in classes before he would give me a nod of
acknowledgement.
- Do you know how much money I have saved from not going to beauty salons these past 2 years? I can probably invest in a small condo in Alaska in another 6 months if only I keep up with this lifestyle. Why bother buffing and polishing when no one was going to see me? Yes, I scare myself a bit at times seeing my own reflection but hey, I throw a towel on the mirror and take care of that problem.
- I am afraid my rusty social skills need super heavy polishing before I can be pronounced fit to enter society again. In pre-covid era, I have a vague memory of curving my lips upwards while meeting people. I think it was called smiling. The only expression that my face can remember to make any more seems to be a scowl. Know of a place where I can sign up to relearn basic social skills?
Looks like Covid is here to stay for the foreseeable future and we may have to learn to live with it. The year ahead may yet be paved with anxiety and uncertainty but today, let’s give thanks to the power
above for keeping us safe from Covid these past two years and march ahead
together in goodwill looking forward to a better and just world. May we all come
out of this pandemic and live long, happy, and healthy lives. Happy New Year 2022 everyone.
