Pandemic and New Heroes

Pandemic and New Heroes

Have you ever imagined that one day your grocery delivery boy would be you, hero? I am sure; your answer would be big NO as we normally correlate heroism with glamour and fame, not with the act of real heroism. It’s not your fault, because this is the way we are conditioned to think. In the ongoing battle of survival, when the world passing through health and economic disaster, there are people working on the frontline dedicatedly to make it possible for us millions to survive. In normal circumstances, we always fail to appreciate their service, but the pandemic has made us realize how important they are and who are the real heroes.
On the brighter side, the pandemic has forced us to realize and appreciate the effort of frontline warriors, who are serving people without despite being exposed to life-threatening risks. This is the time when we need to look beyond the traditional meaning of heroism and redefine include the service of those who are serving unconditionally. We are heading towards a new normal when social distancing would be considered safe and we have to forget handshaking and hugging for time being, if not forever.   
If you are not among the first responders like doctors, healthcare professionals, security personnel, rescuers, essential service delivery force it would be tough for you to imagine their mental state. With full knowledge of the life-threatening risk involved in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, these people are going beyond self to serve humanity. Imagine the mental frame of the person serving on the frontline and coming home to relax in total isolation and going back again to serve those who don’t even care to appreciate. You need really an ultra big heart full of love to be like them.
When I interact with friends in the medical profession I don’t see even a micro-level hesitation, rather they show heightened concern saying that the patients don’t just need medical treatment but also emotional and mental counseling. When in quarantine, it natural for patients to be in shock and they need an extra mental boost to remain motivated as motivate souls could fight with the diseases better, especially when there is no remedy. Seeing people die with no option other than waiting for immunological antibody response to the virus is very painful for people working on the frontline to care and cure.
It is pretty natural for healthcare professionals, as they are human first and professional practitioners later, to be little fearful, not for self but family members. Even in this kind of situation all you will hear is that at the end of the day all they want is to go home, hug family members, and come back again to serve. Since most of the first responders are under self-quarantine to avoid chances of spread, they aren’t in the position to meet family members. Seniors professionals are rightfully highlighting post-traumatic stress disorder chances amongst the first responders after the pandemic. Currently, all professionals are working in an auto-pilot mode and once the pandemic ends it would be very challenging to de-clutter and rewire for a normal life. Some people say these people are trained to serve in the emergency situation; yes they are trained to perform under extreme pressure but not consistently for over 60 days that too without any emotional support of family. 
It is a fact that they are mentally wired to save patients, and currently, they are doing it risking their own life. But once the pandemic ends they will have to come in terms with their own mental health issues. When you live in a particular condition for long you get accustomed and start taking it as new normal. So, it going to be very challenging for the frontline warriors to get back to normalcy as they are watching the devastation very closely that too in absolute loneliness without love and care of near and dear ones. Is there any answer for how it will shape, frankly not, because except the Spanish Flu of 1918 there is no record of health catastrophe of such scale and intensity.
For a moment one can accept the professional wiring of healthcare professionals, but what about essential services providers like grocery stores, bank professions, cleaning professionals who are not equally trained to work in emergency situations like this. They are actively participating in the battle of survival and making it possible for millions to get essential items of need by risking their own life. Pandemic will have a devastating impact, but on the positive side, one can see the shift in perception towards these people who are providing all possible services to keep us alive. Although, human memory is very fragile and self-interest overshadows normal thinking, but I hope this disaster will change us forever at least in terms of appreciating those who help us on day to day basis to live life in absolute normalcy. We shall and must not forget the real hero and come forward to say thank you to all.
I am locked inside my residence for the last 60 days and I can imagine what it takes to go out and serve those who you don’t even know. I could manage to remain at home only because there is those great soul working day and night to delivery services as requested at the doorstep. I am not the only one who is thinking like this, and this is a positive change happening right now. People are redefining the way they used to celebrate heroism. A little gesture like a salute, clap, or simply namaskar could do wonders. Do it without any ifs and buts as they are the one who is making it possible to keep you alive.
Frankly, I don’t know what will be the shape of the world six-month down the line, but I can see the change happening, especially among youngsters. All we need is to be humble and thankful from the core of the heart and say thank you loud and clear. You will see an unconditional smile on the face of the frontline warrior and feel the eyes moistening.