Are We Back to the 'Normal'?

 Our world is troubled by a multifaceted devastation, the magnitude of which is incomprehensible. In December 2019, I read in the newspapers about a novel virus attack in Wuhan and how China was struggling to contain it. The epidemic sparked the world’s news interest. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the change that a ‘family’ of tiny non-living things would bring to the world as we know it. By Jan 2020, WHO recognized it as a world threat-a pandemic! And from then on, ‘life as we know it” just unraveled! And oh yes, it is potent and ever mutating, manifesting in ways which leaves one guessing on its identity. Silent in some and in others intensely symptomatic, and yet reeking destruction on the host body. All around us the world is in a race against time to recognize it, contain it, rescue those traumatized or victimized by it, and find a treatment or a cure. It is testing our economy, lifestyle, knowledge, mettle, endurance, leadership and all finer qualities of humanity.

Now it is mid-May 2020 and the whole world is looking forward to post-COVID19-life and life-after-lockdown. We are reading, listening to experts’ opinions and predictions on post-COVID19 business strategies, life challenges and economic situations. All we are anxiously waiting for and wanting to know is when we can get back to our “normal life” and what the “future” would hold for us!

 Are we ready for NORMAL? If yes, what would be the new NORMAL?

Well, as many have already realized, the “new normal” waiting for us will be a lot different than what we are used to. The ‘invisible enemy’ has altered our outlook towards Personal, Social, Citizenship, Health, Economic and Educational responsibilities.

As a waste management professional, I am looking at two key elements which would be critical for our post-COVID planet.

1.    Social Responsibility

 During the initial days of the lockdown, everyday my youngest son would ask me why he is stopped from playing outside or meeting his friends and cousins. When I explained the pandemic, he reasoned that he did not have the symptoms and so why he should remain ‘quarantined’. My answer was received well even by his very young mind: as responsible individuals it is our duty to help contain the spread of this virus and support the machineries struggling to rescue those individuals or families adversely affected by the ‘lifeless enemy’; and our personal likes and dislikes should not triumph over the common good! So, Stay Indoors, Stay Safe!

I had my team readied to work remotely and implemented a multidimensional strategy for business continuity because the safety of all remains each and every person’s responsibility. Many argue over the potency of the virus. But according to me, all that is secondary. The first point of attack in this case is ‘defense’ especially when the enemy is unknown!

Stringent measures were brought in by the Law to make us socially responsible and safe. But do we need a law to make us socially responsible - mankind whose prided defining and differentiating quality is discernment and wisdom?! In fact, now is the time for us to pull ourselves together and stop waiting for others to be responsible for us because now the challenges are already lined up for us.

Our next biggest challenge: Proper and responsible disposal of Gloves and Masks. These commodities have become an essential part of life. We do not know for how long they would remain so. And most of the reusable varieties are still not allowed to be used in public due to safety reasons. 

Pre-COVID19, so much awareness was spread across platforms about the fight against plastic. Strict regulation for the management of PPE’s from medical institutions and commercial establishments are in place. But we must now fight PPE’s used by the general public. (Recently taken picture for illustrative purpose).

“Awareness, Regulation, Behavior” are the three buzz words that revolve around us during any discussion related to waste management and recycling. We always roll out awareness as our first toll with the help of appropriate regulations to achieve proper waste handling behavior.

 The world is aware of the threats and precautionary measures against the unseen foe. So, the next step would be to logically take the same awareness and responsibly manage the disposal of used PPEs, taking into consideration the distinguishing characteristic of the virus, which happens to be longevity and fast wider spread. In simple words, the PPEs may be infected! Improper disposal of such items which cause contact exposure to unsuspecting public and sanitation workers which would ensure the virus continues to remain within the premises and continue to wreak havoc.

We must get into the habit of following guidelines to Stay Safe, proper sanitation and proper disposal. Otherwise, we would be inviting bigger threats! A shift into the use of suitable reusable safety masks is desirable, else soon, the landfill and waste processing facilities will have a mountain of PPE’s. This would also aid our budget and ease the strain on our drawstring money bag.

2. Minimalism

 One of the positive changes brought about by the pandemic is on our consumption habit: We stopped buying unnecessary items and budget wisely!

It is funny when we think that the things that we bought as necessary at a time end up on the stuffed in our cupboards, boxes or storeroom. They are lucky to see the light of the day during any special occasion. Else, they would eventually end up in a yard sale or charity or in the landfill (as is mostly the case being the easiest choice!). In a similar pattern, surplus food also ends up either in our bodies or mostly in the landfill. We are also learning life skills such as to repair, cook, clean, upscale, look inwards for entertainment, and even make things on our own.

Yes, we have started conserving be it money, food, or other resources. We have always excused ourselves saying others would take the responsibility to provide us with solutions and fulfill our needs. Money was believed to be the answer to any want. Every aspect of life revolved around it. But, the sudden unprecedented times have forced the realization upon us that instead of building an economy based monetary growth, we should build a self-sustaining world which would focus on basic needs like food, clean water, safe environment, space, shelter, proper mental and body health, medical facilities, appropriate education, and relationships.

So what brought about this change? Yes, our worry about Tomorrow and about the Shortage of necessities in the near Future! Once we minimize WASTE, the initiatives of governments would be supported, and Earth would self-heal sooner than later. Ironically, the virus has awakened our sensibility towards resource utilization!

Sustainability advocates have been urging and teaching us to “REDUCE and REUSE” but never has the approach become so well enforced! Let us now promise to retain this good habit even after the current phase passes. The Economy should be sustained, but without a sustained planet, there would not be the need for a growing economy. So, “REDUCE WASTE” to leave a better world for ourselves and the coming generations. Many changes are taking place and many more shall come!

“Never waste a good crisis” - Winston Churchill

Let us join hands (metaphorically of course!) and Do It Right!

Be Socially Responsible, Minimize and Conserve !