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Covid-19, Lockdown –Nationwide!


The nation woke up to the news of the nationwide lockdown following a report of a COVID-19 positive case in Gelephu. But it wasn't surprising since we were almost sure that we would end up in a national lockdown one day or the other. It was inevitable. And we are finally under lockdown –nationwide!

It is something very serious and immediate. The call was timely and very appropriate. It needs no further explanation and judgement. It is for the cause of the nation. It is the race for life-and-death call. And the government calls it to save us from the spread of this pandemic. Otherwise, everyone of us would face the same fate. 

Four days already down and we are finally experiencing what it seems to be under the nation lockdown. We have had enough news about lockdown elsewhere. We did not give much attention other must have faced and undergone. It wasn't easy altogether. Through this lockdown, I finally realize why Donald Trump was so furious and arrogant to China for the gift of this virus. So far we didn't have any serious cases of transmission, maybe by the virtue of luck or whatever. But now it's our turn and we must reflect on our own behavior and action despite WHO and MoH requests on every individual of COVID etiquettes.  

Did we pay any attention? Did we listen to the protocols set by the WHO and the Ministry of Health? Did we listen to the feelings of our front line workers?

The first Covid case of an American tourist had shaken us little on the deadliest of the virus in the month of March. The panic and the fear just lasted for a few sweet days. Then the fear has gone forever. Nothing much has changed in our mind. We thought it would come and go. We never thought that this disease would one day enter our locality and put us into such a tight tension that we can't even cross our balcony, into a situation of national lockdown. 

However, under the lockdown, Thimphu looks deserted and more like a black-and-white film of Zhabdrung's era. The only difference is the building and roads. However, with no human being on the street the ever-busy town of Thimphu is now filled with stray dogs, roaring of the thimphu chhu, cheerful sounds of birds, fresh air and absolutely silent express highways. Thimphu looks crazy and sexy and lovely again in a century. Nonetheless, Thimphu looks like a lady in sweet sixteen as the nationwide lockdown continues for the straight fourth day.

I am pretty sure, the rest of the Dzongkhags would be experiencing the same feeling and more importantly the difficult times each one is experiencing having to stay inside without much work and movement - basically cook, eat, sleep, and talk. There is nothing more boring and serious than having to stay home, eat and sleep. 

However, everything in place, I am sure a few more days would bring some happy news of lockdown OPEN and movement FREE, but it won't be the same old days. 




 

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