Preparing for festive seasons amidst pandemic

 

Our all time favourite festival “Durga Puja” or “Navratri” now at doorstep, but, we are surrounded by COVID-19 pandemic since six months. So, during this time, it is necessary to discuss about some course of actions we all have to follow in this festive seasons. 

“Durga puja” is the most popular festival among Hindu Bengalis, which can’t be avoided. Our emotions, love, happiness all are related with it. Cultural programme, arts, award, pandal hopping everything is included in this festival.

However, this time, it is supposed to be obstructed by the pandemic. We all are a little bit worried about our enjoyment in the festival now. I know this happiness only comes once a year, but nothing to do with this instance; we all have to maintain some protocol for our own convenience.

Till now above 66 lakh people are affected by COVID-19 and above one lakh people are died in this six months in our country, so, it is a prime matter of concern specially during festive seasons [1].

This article brings seven guidelines to follow during festive season. Just go through it to prepare yourself for festive seasons amidst pandemic.     

Photo by ConSCIENCE

1. Wear a mask even in pandals

Pandal hopping with beautiful dresses and makeup is our dream. Each year we prepare for this festival for long time. However, due to Coronavirus, we are forced to wear a mask.

I know, a great proportion of face get covered by it, girls can understand the problem, when you have to makeup and wear a mask. However, if you contact any unknown person with COVID-19, then it is possible to catch the virus containing droplets for you, if you stay without a mask.

So, try to wear a mask when you’re out even in pandals. Wear a non-transferable lipstick and set the makeup with a setting spray. 

I think boys need no instructions in this case.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

2. Sanitizer is a must have product

We must bear with the Coronavirus during the festive season too, and the ultimate weapon against the virus is washing or sanitizing our hands frequently.

As the soap and water can’t be available always, then, the alcohol based hand sanitizers are very useful during our  pandal hopping or even in tea stalls.

It is of pocket sized and you can carry it easily in your pocket or purse. So, don’t forget about it. Sanitizer is a must have item for this festive season amidst pandemic.  

I advice not to eat outside your home during this season, but if there is no way to avoid the outside foods then it is must to sanitize your hands well. Just put the required amount of sanitizers in your hand and rub it well for at least 30 seconds.

It is not only necessary during eating, but also you have to sanitize your hand if it is essential to touch your eyes or nose.  

Photo by ConSCIENCE

3. Avoid crowded place

“Durga Puja” means crowding, staying in queue for hours, watching the idol with the crowd, gossiping with the friends in the crowded ground, visiting fair etc. where everything is related to crowd and it is unavoidable.

But, now a days, key concept is to maintain social distance, otherwise you may caught COVID-19. So, as far possible maintain a distance or avoid crowded place for your convenience.

I hope everything will be all right next year and then you will enjoy a lot like previous years, but for this time visit idols when the pandal is somehow empty. Don’t chitchat with friends from other districts or countries without maintaining social distance.

Photo by ConSCIENCE

4. Don’t be so ritualistic this time

Yes, you read it right. I know you may not like this point, but it is important to take care of yourself and your family during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Try to avoid gatherings during all the ritual time, if you still want to go for rituals then find some spacious pandal and maintain at least 6 foot distance from another person.

Take the offerings like flowers from your home and try to avoid eating the raw cut fruits in the pandals.   

5. Help others

2020 is a dark year for our life. From March, lockdown, due to COVID-19, has started in India. In this crisis, health, economy, social system has disrupted much.

The exponential spreading of this virus has killed a lot of people. Many persons lost their jobs. A large quantity of people has faced lack of food, medicine, dress and so many things.

At this perspective, we are still safe and prepare to enjoy at festival. This is common, but, what if we can help someone needy! If possible, you can buy some food, medicine or new dress for those people who need it the most.

Visit your community and extend a helping hand towards them to bring smile to their face.  

Photo by ConSCIENCE

6. Depend on electronic or social media for this time

Visiting different pandals and idols among different districts is a thrill for us. But, this time we going to miss it. To avoid infection, depend on electronic media like television and social sites for pandal hopping.

As far as possible, stay at your home. We all know that the COVID-19 death rate is low in India, and a larger percentage is recovered, but why should we risk ourselves?

Jump between different channels and pages where you can find all the idols throughout the world.   

7. Stay low-key

We are going through this dark phase which will be hopefully conquered very soon, but now it is affecting above 3.5 crore people and above 10 lakh people died worldwide, even India is nothing less in statistics.

Many people including our friends and family members are affected and many known persons have died due to Coronavirus. So, naturally we should stay a little low key this time.

Many families are broken; a lot of people lost their jobs, and so on. With so many bad situations around ourselves, we can’t be so happy ethically like every year.

Therefore, enjoy your part but stay a little low-key.

ConScience

Nobody of us can avoid the year old tradition; it is an inseparable part of our life, so, enjoy with proper safety measures. Because, peak time of COVID-19 is running now in India and it will probably increase further after this festive season especially in West Bengal, just like Kerala [2].

So, take proper care and maintain all the protocols. Always remember that safety first, for you and your family.

Happy Puja in advance. Stay happy, stay safe.