THE IRONIES IN LOCKDOWN LIFE AND THE LESSONS WE LEARN

Photo credit:Nantege Josephine Gladys 

An irony is a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality.

I've observed a few ironies during this lockdown, and am here to share a few.If you do have any other you are welcome to share it here in the comment section below this post.

• Restrictions on movement mean that almost everyone stays home most times, which we are not used to.Most of us are tired of staying home! It's so monotonous and boring to stay home.However, due to the heavy rains that come with strong winds,and the increased water levels of Lake Victoria at the shores, hundreds of people are now homeless, with some taking refuge with nearby relatives.Houses and property have been destroyed, and the threat of hunger and malaria a reality for them.They yearn for homes like ours that are tired of staying in!
• Some families stocked food in preparation for the lockdown, majorly consisting of maize flour and beans for sustainability. It is however tiring to have posho and beans at all meals! On the other hand, hundreds of citizens are impatiently awaiting for the  Government relief food consisting of majorly maize flour and beans, they have run out of what to eat, and worried they may starve to death.On a sad note,just this week a barber who used to operate a small scale salon in our neighborhood passed on.It is alleged that he died of hunger! That he had not eaten for four days yet he had ulcers.The little he could get he could feed his two toddlers and wife.The chairperson of the area said that he would always ask him if his children wouldn't die of hunger as Government food was not getting delivered.
• As learning at all levels is becoming more digitalized during lockdown, a majority of low income households that are struggling to have a meal for the day cannot afford the internet costs for their children to learn online, let alone have android smart phones or tablets to access these learning sessions or materials. Yes, one may say lessons are broadcast on televisions, what about those that have no access to electricity or even the television sets!
• With the crippled economic situation, the family burden is being felt by some. Previously, family time was limited too.So spending so much time with them, without working and earning is a little stressing . However, there are those missing their families as lockdown got them so far from home. There are expatriate workers, nurses, doctors, caretakers, News Reporters, PPE manufactures, to mention but a few, who cannot meet families at the moment because the world needs them to be working!
• Is the popular slogan "Stay home. Save Lives" becoming ironical to couples in abusive relationships? Suspected domestic killings and sucides are being registered across the country and are being investigated. Some of these are over issues related to food and money. In Masaka District, the Southern Regional policespokes person attributed the increasing domestic violence cases to the very many unfulfilled demands made by women yet their husbands are no longer working. However, it should be noted that men too, are prone to being abused in some cases. Thus, some people are losing lives in their own homes, which is ironical.

Allow me to end here, otherwise I am tempted to talk about the corona virus political ironies! Am not a politician...hopefully the lockdown is lifted soon so that we enjoy a normal life!

The lessons we learn

Most of our lives have been affected in one way or another by the pandemic and lockdown, however there are those who have been affected so bad.
Let's be grateful and thankful for who we are and what we have. For the gift of life that we still have, for the meals we have, the family, homes, friends, skills, everything!

Hope you had a nice read. Stay safe!
Warm Regards,
Gladys