It was this time, last year.
Streets were deserted, people hardly to be seen.
Those that were, stood more than a feet away.
There was a new addition to everyone's attire.
Masks were hoisted as a respectful discipline to cover up till the nose. The scare of the unwelcome visitor that promised adieu was deep seated.
Masks up, follow the 3 Ws ( Wear, Wait, Wash) and many jingles on radio and hashtags were streaming all the time. Daily stay home stay safe reminders in the local language replaced the religious sermons.
Months passed by, masks got tired to serve the purpose due to disrespect.
The invisible visitor took a U turn, elevating the momentary calm to hounding nightmares.
While giving no chance for proper goodbyes or even pyres. The masks seemed confused, reluctant to take responsibility as the previous year. Reasons being insensitivity and ignorance by the educated humans to bestow trust in it's power to protect.
The same roads, the same people, with masks down the chin as if the nose ought not to feel offended. Who cares if there are people dying or getting infected, masks were meant just for fashion, or as namesake. Try telling them to respect and mask up, well it's a new world already turned deaf ears. No public awareness announcements, more closeness when in public places, masks definitely have no significance.
While on one side the ambulance siren and the sound of oxygen cylinders while shaking during transit, chills our spine.
On the other side with masks out or down, there is no sign of fear for loss of life.
Perhaps the fear for loss of livelihood grew bigger than life.
Perhaps life was never treated with such lowest priority ever.
Such was not when you welcomed masks last year as a saviour of you and your loved ones.
Mask up, people. Every breath you inhale and exhale accounts for the lives of probably hundreds. Not just you.
Times call to be TRULY Human.
To be the #MasksUp 3Ws Knight and save lives!!
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