Curbs gone, but discipline learnt must stay

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The wheels that had come off the world two years ago seem to be back on, at least as far as the city is concerned. Mumbai is returning to near normal with the government rolling back Covid restrictions and stipulations. Masks have become optional.

This should bring some relief and cheer to citizens chaffing both literally and metaphorically while restrictions were on. There are reports about experts cautioning certain vulnerable sections to keep wearing masks and alerts about the global scenario where Coronavirus continues to be a problem.

Meanwhile, it is also time to see what we took away from the pandemic and whether these lessons should be for life, practised even if the world itself bounces back to what it was.

We must practise hygiene in all aspects. Do not give up on the frequent hand washing, Covid or not, as this can be extremely beneficial for overall health, too. Now that we have been doing so these past two years carry it forward.

Learn the values of orderly queues for safety and mental well-being. When lockdown first started, the foreign media had highlighted the circles drawn outside shops, for people to space out and stand in a line. Even if not keeping the same distance from each other as before, benefits of lining up at all public amenities and facilities should have been learnt and the practice should be continued. This is direly needed on our station platforms just making life safer for all concerned.

Empathy for our everyday ‘warriors' on the roads, in hospitals and giving us a service. With us toeing the line, we show them respect and this results in a much better standard of living and overall experience. Lessons learnt must not be left behind.