Lock down: A social construct dictated by the virus

South Africa has been in lock down for over seven months now and we are currently at level 1. The virus continues to spread widely around the world and South Africa is also getting progressively worse in terms of the spread.

In this level most activities have been permitted. These include exercising outdoors at all times, walking around the beach area, fast food restaurants have opened, the sale of  clothing, alcohol, and general goods, as well as many other trading activities, social gatherings within limits have also been allowed. The shift to opening up most parts of the economy has given rise to more people being exposed and as such more people contracting the virus.

Everyday we receive tons of information via the internet, social media platforms and newspapers, about the many cases of people getting the virus and ways in which they are suffering, together with families dealing with this pandemic. Funerals are heart breaking under normal circumstances, but with the virus, its become far more difficult for family to deal with the loss and mourning of a loved one. I'm certain that at this point we have either heard of a friend, close relative or just an acquaintance that has contracted the virus and in some way been affected by this news. It makes what is happening in society far more real and disconcerting.

Social Observations

I have observed many people when going to get groceries, walking on the beach and when visiting family and friends. There appears to be a spectrum of ways in which society is trying to deal with this virus, however each person is different. We all have our own notion of what "necessary" precautions need to be taken and varying extents to which we apply these. 

The psychological effects on the mind of each person, which this pandemic has greatly contributed to, has given rise to the vast differences in social behavior. Many people have had to go back to work, and are taking precautions, while still risking their lives and that of their family to make a living. We are presented with difficult situations and need to make really hard decisions for the welfare of our families. I believe that not only are we faced with an epidemiological threat but we are also plagued by severe mental health problems which have given rise due to the social construct adopted to "slow down" the spread of the virus.  

There are a significant amount of people that are living in fear, that will not step out of their homes due to the vast amount of warnings and information being circulated, compounding the situation and playing on the minds of many. I have seen other members of society going about their daily routines, doing most of what is in their control, although still taking precautions, using masks, keeping social distancing and washing hands etc. The other extreme also exists where people chose not to take any precautions and appear to think there is no need for taking precautions.

I have had several conversations with family and friends, each with different expressions of concern, uncertainty of what the "right" thing is to do. "Do we go out?", "Should we socialize and to what extent?", "Is it okay to eat out at restaurants or meet for coffee?", "Others are going out, are we just being too paranoid"? I think we have all asked ourselves these questions in some way, however I think that the common and underlying factor is that we are all still unsure of what the "new" norm really is and how to navigate this new socially constructed expectation of us in society. 

We are all dealing with the affects of the pandemic in our own way, we all see it in a different light and the fundamental nature of who we are and our attitude dictates how we chose to live our lives going forward. This virus is not leaving us anytime soon and we need to deal with it in the best way we can. This calls for us to be tolerant of each other, understanding of how each person chooses to conduct themselves and most importantly being respectful of the boundaries set by each individual. Something that you may think is okay, another may find alarming and not agree to, so be mindful of one another.

In reality, there are still many unknowns about this virus, for example we do not know what the long terms effects could be, should you contract it. We have had less than a year to research this virus, and learn about it, analyzing the data we have and formulate strategies for dealing with it. Needless to say we have a long way to go, so we as a society will need to co-exist, we will not be able to hide forever. As human beings we need social interactions, we need to have meaningful conversations and form relationships, we now need to adapt to a new way of interacting, one we are not accustomed to.

As individuals I believe in some way our social circles have gotten smaller, we are more particular with who we spend our time with and expose ourselves to. As we continue in this last level of lockdown, each one of us will slowly be defining our own "new" norm, according to what we know and believe and the material we are given that shapes our perception of what is acceptable behavior to us in these times and this will likely continue post lockdown. 

Let us remember that life is short, regardless of how we choose to continue our social living with family, friends and the greater community, make the most of life and live.....truly live your best life with no regrets.

Much love

~Nerusha R