There are always two sides of the same coin and it depends on our perspective as to which side we choose to see. The COVID-19 pandemic, alongwith a lot of bad things, brought several good things to us as well. In this article, we will do a comparative study of the pros and cons of the pandemic that has made its way to the society.
| COVID-19 Good | COVID-19 Bad |
| Working from home has enhanced family time. | Even while staying home, not enough time is possible for the family due to work-life imbalance. |
| Promotion of virtual learning via online classes and such technology. | Teachers in virtual classes are being ridiculed and maliciously harassed as they struggle to adjust with technology. |
| Parents are getting more time to spend with their children. | There has been a drastic increase in reported child abuse cases. |
| People of India have righteously raised their voice in support of Black Lives Matter movement. | The same people have turned a blind eye towards the migrant worker crisis in their domestic nation. |
| A dip in pollution and improving AQI has given us the cleanest air in years. | Staying indoors and wearing masks mandatorily in public is preventing us from enjoying the fresh air. |
| Number men actively participating in household chores have increased. | There has been a spike in reported domestic abuse cases. |
| The waters of Ganga and Yamuna are the cleanest during this lock-down due to lack of human intervention. | Reportedly, there are more masks in the ocean than jellyfish and possibly they are choking the marine life. |
| We have harvested increased respect for our domestic helpers. | Thousands of domestic helpers have lost their jobs during the lockdown and they have no source of stable income. |
| We have newfound respect for healthcare workers who risk their lives to keep us and our loved ones, safe. | There have been a number of violent attacks and ostracizing of medical professionals who went beyond their designated duties to save lives. Several frontline workers haven’t received their salaries. |
| We are maintaining cleanliness and being cautious about hygiene. | We are wasting too much water. |
| Locking up of humans has helped animals reclaim their well deserved public spaces. | Poaching has doubled during lockdown animal cruelty cases have increased. |
| There has been a comparative dip of sexism at workplaces due to restricted “bro culture” while working from home. | Women have increased pressure of single-handedly managing household chores, responsibilities of child-care and working from home. |
| Finally arrangement of “shramik special” trains for migrants to go home. | Surged prices being charged from migrants who have exhausted their savings in lockdown and have no income. |
| Awareness programs regarding mental health. | Influencers misleading their role with professional psychiatrists and misleading followers. |
| Checking up on friends and family online. | Not being able to physically connect. |
| Building community spirit by clapping and lighting diyas. | Risking lives by breaking distancing norms for religious and marriage ceremonies. |
| Giving up on addictions- smoking, drinking etc. | Unhealthy lifestyle due to odd sleeping and eating routines. |
Positivity in crisis is the only means for health and survival!