V2V AND EvERYTHING ELSE (17-July-2021)

 

Virus to Vaccine and Vivid memories of Vacations from the past…

Vacation was the most cherished endeavour in the pre-Corona days.  The details that went into planning by the family members or a friends’ group was both fun-filled and exciting, nonetheless sometimes even excruciating than the actual event.  A keen eye and ability to pay attention to minutest details victimized a person relegated to be made the scapegoat to don the coordinator’s role; a contrasting character rendered many in the group stranded at crucial juncture in precarious situations.

Virus swamped us from the beginning of 2020.  Many remarked that the pandemic was expected to last only a few months and lockdowns would break the community spread.  An anti-climax of sorts – to draw a parallel the fans expected a 4-hour T20 cricket game, while it turned out to be a never-ending game much beyond the five-day test match.  Nothing classical about this onslaught, which has venomously assumed a plethora of avatars around the world and rendered vacations a thing of the past having to recall only vivid memories of past sojourns.  Virus onslaught has continued unabated in 2021 and new reports point to its vicarious pleasure extended into the next calendar year!

Vaccine was projected to be the mantra and a panacea for this rummaging pandemic.  With a double-digit number of vaccine brands now available around the world and currently only two here in India, most fingers point to a gross miscalculation of demand vs supply exacerbated by the lack of any progress in a few countries.  There appears no end in sight either of a cessation of the virus notoriety or the entire human race vaccinated, rendering the light at the end of the tunnel fused-out.

Vodka as a drink aided a few folks with a new-found solace since any movement outside the home boundary stood challenged, more so during lockdown periods.  Their new hope in this distilled alcoholic beverage popularized by Russians appears in anticipated preparation for the third vaccine – a Russian Sputnik, to get its nod into the Indian market.  The ‘Lakshman Rekha’ of sorts has kept people confined to the four walls, while the clarity of the line has blurred between the work-from-home and work-for-home quantum of tasks.  This elixir in the interim has offered a surreal experience of the virus-vaccine effects as humans dream about their next vacation spot.

Valiant attempts by medical fraternity notwithstanding, mutations have wreaked havoc and vexed all plans with its latest move from urban to rural villages.  India shares a dubious race to the top precariously perched along with USA and Brazil in infections and fatalities.  As the scientist community assumed new learnings from the virus behaviour, the more it flummoxed the courageous healthcare workers with virulent attacks.  Adverse reactions and few stray deaths from vaccination has confused many to move forward with trepidation.

Volunteer programs have effectively managed the influx of patients at hospitals as well to coordinate vaccination drives and is replete with humanitarian and memorable experiences laced with dedication and commitment.  Free lunches distributed and good Samaritan instances caring for the infected are worthy of a mention.

Versatile, we the people are to changing scenario as we live with a renewed hope of new vacation destinations.  The virus and the vaccination due to valiant efforts from a volunteer community has alleviated the situation for many to enjoy the precincts of their own home sipping Vodka for a drink to calm their nerves.

V2V AND EvERYTHING ELSE – Witness the unfolding to remain sane till the victory bugle is sounded when the virus is vanquished!