It was an ordinary day and I was in my class as usual, but then we struck up a conversation which wasn’t ordinary. As a teacher I got this wonderful chance to alleviate some of the doubts and worries that my little friends had about this chaos called Corona Virus.
‘Ma’am, what’s quarantine?’ said a tiny voice all of a sudden. I looked up in the direction from where one of my students enquired and saw quite a few anxious faces. Honestly, I half expected this topic in the class, so I took a deep breath before starting as I knew I had to face quite a few serious questions and I have to be calm, reassuring and also helpful with my answers.
‘When someone is suspected to have a contagious disease, that person is put in isolation so that no one else can get that disease. That is quarantine.’ I tried answering in as simple words as possible.
‘Where does that person stay?’ came another query almost instantly.
‘Well, there are some facilities provided by the government. And some are asked to remain in their homes. Even if they have to go out, they cannot go to any place where there are other people so that there is absolutely no social interaction.’
‘That is very boring’, exclaimed one.
‘Yes, it is. But then there are things that can be done to enjoy the alone time, like watch movies, play board games and video games, read story books, do some interesting DIYs or even study.’
‘So one cannot play with friends?’
‘If someone is sick with common cold or breathing difficulties, then that person should not. Besides, it is always better to avoid social interaction at this moment, even if you are fine.’
‘Ma’am, my school is closed due to corona virus threat. We were about to have a school fete and that has also been called off. It is so depressing. I miss my friends at school.’
‘Yes ma’am, even I am missing my friends and all the cool things we do at school.’
‘Ma’am, will you also close down our tuition classes?’
I could see some very worried faces. ‘No, I will not call off these classes, unless we are asked to. Rather, I will try to make your classes as fun as possible during the time your schools are closed. We can play some indoor games and also I have bought a jigsaw puzzle of some 100 pieces of the world map, we can solve that on one of these days.’
‘But ma’am what about when we are at home. I am getting super bored. Mom also leaves for work.’ ‘Okay how about catching up on your favourite story books. During school days you don’t get much time from all the studies and homework. Now is the time. Why don’t you guys finish ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ and then we can all watch the movie together in one of the classes?
‘Ma’am what else can we do? I don’t like reading story books that much.’
‘Remember you showed me a collage of a peacock you had started making? Why don’t you complete that now?’
Owing to all the school work and overburdening academic curriculum, kids hardly get any time for their personal projects. Now that the schools are closed and kids have nothing better to do at home, this could be a great time for some creative pursuits.
The conversation was going well, but some important questions were still not discussed. I wanted to take them up when I noticed something bothering one of the kids.
‘Shreya, what’s up? Why do you look worried?’
‘Ma’am, will I get corona virus if I play outside with my friends?’
‘Chances are you will not. But why take that risk? It is only a matter of few days. Once we are safe, you can go out and play.’ I tried to sound as reassuring as I possibly could. ‘Also, I would like you all to be very careful in order to stay safe.’
‘Yes ma'am, my mamma said that I need to wash my hands for 20 seconds every time I return home or use the toilet.’ deliberated little Gayatri.
‘Yes, she is absolutely right. Not only that, you must not touch sick persons right now or stay anywhere near them without taking adequate precautions.’
‘What precautions ma’am?’ asked another.
‘You have to wear a mask. You need to wash your hands with soap and water if you touch any sick person. You should always carry a hand sanitizer and use it every time you step into a public place. I would suggest that you avoid going to public places for as long as the corona virus poses a threat.
And in case you feel sick or catch cold, you should go to a doctor immediately and follow her instructions.’
‘Ma'am, will we die due to corona virus?’
‘Look children, it’s a very serious disease. But there are cases where people have been cured. Let’s be thankful to The Almighty that we are all fine right now and start taking all precautionary measures seriously. Let us follow all the instructions that are prescribed to prevent the spread of this virus.’
‘Also, there are many rumours doing the rounds, don’t take everything you hear seriously. If you come across any information on Corona Virus, get it cross checked with your parents or your doctors first. And certainly don’t spread rumours.’
‘Most importantly, don’t worry.’
‘Ma’am, do we need to wear mask all the time?’
‘No honey, you have to wear it only when you are around someone who is sick and coughing or sneezing.’
‘Ma’am, my father has asked me not to shake hands with anyone right now.’
‘Yes, please follow his advice. You can greet people by joining both of your hands as in Namaste. Do you know a lot many world leaders are doing that right now. Now isn’t that cool, our Indian tradition is being adopted by people around the world?’
‘Yes ma'am!’ said everyone together beaming with pride.
It was a good thing that we had this conversation. The very students who entered the class with gloomy faces, left for the day in their usual sprightly and playful style pulling each other’s legs and wishing me goodbye in their usual singsong style.
The government of India has made a comic book for children to know and understand what viruses are, what is Corona Virus and how to stay safe during these troubled times. At Crayonsler, we have made a slideshow for our students. I am sharing it here. Please go through this slideshow and show it to your kids also.
