N Jacob
Dimapur
Until May 26, 2020 the Nagas were praising God and thanking Coronavirus haven't reached our land. We prayed earnestly that our land be kept away from the invisible enemy and mostly continued with our daily routine. That it is okay in Nagaland, it hasn't reached us. But that was until June 26, 2020. The number of positive cases steadily rose. But as casual as we are, we had this easy going attitude of, Corona virus is confined to the quarantine centres and the frontline workers.
We knowingly broke all guidelines; no masks, no physical distancing, went buying non-essential materials/goods and off we went with our daily routine. That was until the 2nd week of July 2020. We had positive cases coming outside the Quarantine centre/frontline workers. Still we remain headstrong as ever. We were skeptical of the positive cases and even doubted the recovery numbers updated by our Minister on a daily basis. We continued thanking God that inspite of the positive cases; we haven't had any deaths so far. But, that was until today, July 24, 2020. Unfortunately, we have had everything we didn't ask, didn't wish or expected. With the confirmation of COVID-19 death in our state, we need to raise the alarm bell immediately. We cannot undo the past but we can for sure make our tomorrow a better one.
Fortunately, we aren't animals. We are humans with brains, with a mind to think and a heart to be emotional. It's time we think that it hasn't reached my village, my town, my colony or my doorstep. It's going to be too late once it reaches our doorstep. Let us start practicing good hygiene habits, make physical distancing a norm, avoiding crowds in marriages or funerals an unavoidable situation to take a break and buying only the essential goods or materials.
God has to take care of the whole world, not only Nagaland. We can't rely on God only and do nothing from our end. God will only help if we help ourselves. Do we still need another excuse that we don't adhere to the guidelines!
It's never too late to make a change. Do it today.
