I wanted to write and publish this as quickly as humanly possible not only because it is still afresh in my head but also because of circumstances changing by the minute. It is highly likely that even while I type this, governments across the world would be imposing more economic, social and transportation regulations on their citizens, and for valid reasons too.
I’m sure I come off as hypocritical, condemning travel whilst having done it myself, but my circumstances were compelling. I was on a semester abroad to my university’s campus in Melbourne when life as we know it descended into a chaotic pandemonium. With my home university urging me to rejoin and academic as well as social events being cancelled with each passing second, I had to make a quick decision. However, whether it was a wise move or not, I’m yet to find out. Regardless, this article is just a recollection and reflection of my insights into a gruesome, troubling and anxiety riddled journey back home.
- Understand that your travel advisory advices against air travel for a reason- and not just because of the obvious ones.
It is safe to presume that every immigrant away from their home country right now is facing an emotional turmoil. Especially my fellow international students, situated in countries with varying degrees of adversity, extremely prone to vulnerability and homesickness, tempted to book the next flight home while there’s still time. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no- there isn’t. With several countries which have already closed their borders and more doing so by the minute, it is in the best interest for you and your family back home if you remain isolated in the country where you’re pursuing your education. I’m a student at the Sunway campus of Monash university in Malaysia, a country currently going through a period of complete lockdown, most of my friends, being international students, still do have an option of going back home (Note: This does not include India currently, as the Indian government as restricted all incoming and outgoing flights to and from Malaysia), but the fact of the matter is, even if the country is currently facing 1000 active cases and counting, you’re still better off shut inside your room than you are by engaging in air travel, which is, with sound logic and reason, equivalent to exposing yourself to a higher risk of contracting the virus.
In case you snoozed through the above paragraph, here’s the gist- Don’t go back home, stay put.
- If you plan on coming back to India before it suspends ALL international flights before 22nd– please reconsider.
At the cost of reiterating my previous argument, choosing to travel to India right now comes with a near insurmountable emotional, financial and physical burden. The airports are a nightmare to say the least, and with government imposing mandatory facility quarantine to the passengers returning from Korea, Italy, China, France and Spain (the list is not exhaustive and continues to be updated)
and with most other countries being subjected to special screening, getting out of the airport is an ordeal of its own. Like I said, you are putting yourself, and subsequently, your family and friends, in a greater risk by being in the vicinity of airports, which is how the virus initially began to spread transnationally.
- Social and economical disparity is non- existent in times like this
In a country still unfortunately dictated by the social norms of the hierarchy of class, the solidarity of all the passengers regardless of their backgrounds was a very refreshing sight. Despite visibly being from all walks of lives, being stranded at the airport for 8 hours brought everyone together, perhaps the only sign of silver lining in this adversity. A writer feeds on stories of mundane lives, and throughout this time I witnessed banters being exchanged, complains being echoed, and most importantly, friendships being formed.
- Monkey see, monkey do
The ruckus at airports at the moment is far worse than you can comprehend. Flights are few, people too many, staff and officials scarce. All this mixed together spells nothing short of a disaster. If you find yourself landing at your final destination right now, depending on how your government handles the situation, please brace yourself for the worst. Refrain from the sheep behavior where passengers stranded with you are likely to get aggravated and pick fights with the airport authorities- all it does is delay your departure. This therefore is another compelling reason to avoid flying in the first place.
- If you have travelled internationally- Self quarantine is both a privilege and a responsibility.
In a scenario where you have already travelled and been sentenced to a 14-day period of home quarantine, which, in India, would mean getting a stamp on the back of your left hand, please understand the underlying implications. If they already haven’t, the health ministry has complete authority to send you in a government facility for the mandated quarantine period, so understand that getting to go back home is a privilege that many are denied. Follow the guidelines which include, but are not limited to-
- Staying away from other people as much as possible, this includes your own family members. I understand the desire to be affectionate towards your parents but remember that there is a strong possibility of you carrying this disease without your own awareness and the first people to contract it from you will be the ones living with you.
- Stay isolated as much as possible. Everything you touch is subjected to plausible contamination, therefore, wash your own dishes and linen and ask for your food to be left at your doorstep. Please remember that you and everyone you know is trying to combat this pandemic together and the least you can do is play your part by distancing yourself from others in order to slow down the growth in cases as much as possible. As inconvenient as it might sound, these measures go a long way, they can go as far as you playing a passive or active role in saving lives.