Blog-Positive
Impacts of Lock down
1. It is heartening to note
the positive impacts of lock down in India and across the world in recent past
2-3 weeks in Mar &Apr 2020 since imposition of lock down in our country on 25 Mar 2020.One will be
surprised to know the positive impacts of lock down when everywhere corona virus
is taking toll of humans of all ages. There are mainly two broad fronts where
we are seeing the positive impact due to lock down.
1. On
environment 2. On Individuals –
On
Environment
i.
Air Pollution –
The greatest
positive impact of lock down in our cities and also across the world saw air
pollution levels plummet. Now we breath clean and fresh air. Reduction in PM
2.5 and NO2 registered in most of the countries.
e.g 21 Indian
cities come out of top 30 worst polluted cities of the world. But the air
pollution dropped in all our metro/major cities even in the 2nd week
of 21 days lock down.
Delhi’s air
pollution levels fell in category of good about a week back as per newspaper
report. Delhi’s AQI (Air quality Index) improved since lock down from severe 200
to on a good day (anything more than 25 is considered unsafe as per WHO).
Nowadays typical AQI is around 30.The general air pollution drop was around
71%.
We all know
that It was because of all vehicular movement stopped, industries and
construction were shut down all across the country.
All this drop
in air pollution has been noticed in all countries. NASA
(US) and European Space Agency satellite pictures clearly show significant drop
in NO2 levels over India, China, Italy, France and other European countries.
ii.
Clearer water-
Water in
river has become clearer. People might have seen the visuals of cleaner river
Ganga at Kanpur and Varanasi. Even fishes are seen near Varanasi Ghats now.
There are
reports that water of Delhi’s river Yamuna has also started to appear cleaner.
iii.
Clear Blue Sky-
Not only
Delhi experiencing cleanest skies in years, residents of Jalandhar in Punjab
woke up to an incredible sight of distant The Dhauladhar mountain range in H.P.
These peaks are 120 miles away and had not been sighted on Punjab horizon since
last 30 years.
iv.
Noise Levels-
CNN reported
30-50% reduction in noise levels. Now you can hear the voice of neighbourhood
birds from balcony of your house.
v.
Positive effects on climate change
Environmentalists
are saying that there are positive impacts on climate change also.
vi.
Clearer surroundings
There is vast
cleanliness in our surroundings during this period. It is difficult to believe
the pictures uploaded by people on social media.
2.
On Individuals
Every one is
saying that Corona virus is not good but it is teaching several good things in
life. The most important ones are that
i.
We all are getting plenty of time for self and for
family.
ii.
Our life has become so simple whether rich or poor.
Our needs have reduced and still we are happy. Other wise we are always busy
with work and to earn more and more to meet our needs. But now we have realized
that we can live happily without running after materialistic things in life.
iii.
Situations are not always as per our choice. So we
have to be mentally strong so that we face the situation easily.
iv.
Every one is saying that it is normal to get scared
due to corona virus. But on the contrary we cannot afford to be under tension
and anxiety at this time as we will get influenced by the negative vibration
all around us. We can save ourselves from corona virus but can be overwhelmed by
negative vibrations if are not mentally strong.
4. Lessons
learnt
a.
We can work from Home. I suppose our govt. and
private organizations will take a lesson out of it to avoid crowding at places.
b.
We can enjoy local vegetables, fruits and other
grocery items instead going for costly imported food items.
c.
We can save lot of money which we waste by eating
out and indulging in unnecessary purchases.
d.
If we want we can reduce pollution of all types.
e.
We can keep our surroundings clean if we want.
f.
We can consult doctors through tele medicine/online
from home for minor ailments to avoid rush in hospitals.
A few lessons
our government should also take.
1.
Our public healthcare system needs to be totally
revamped and overhauled to handle such situations in our country in future.
2.
The essential supply of daily needs also needs to
be overhauled to enable people to get daily needs in their neighborhood.
3.
Online supply system should be further strengthened
and encouraged so that one can get even daily needs while sitting at home.
4.
On line payments and transfers should be made
obligatory for all employers even in private sector. Cash flow should be
reduced to bare minimum for all.
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