This Is Not The Long Break That I Had Always Wanted

©OLUWASEMILORE OLUBIIRE

…Not a laughing matter

First, I couldn’t go out for almost two months because I was in exams. And now, I am forced indoors again for only God-knows-how-long, because a pandemic had decided to visit humanity.

It would be a little tolerable if I was an indoors person, but no.; I am an outgoing girl, not for the sake of it, but because I like to get busy with worthwhile things, doing business, any business that catches my fancy and has opportunities of generating a naira or two.

I love teaching people (especially kids); I just love outdoors, not to sit at home or a place.

Yes, I had always wanted a long school break, but it wasn’t a lockdown that I aspired to.

How on Earth will I be in my apartment without visiting anyone in a week or without going for an engagement? Hell no! I’d never do that but surprisingly I’m forced to do that right now. I’ve not gone out of my area for the past one week and it’s making me sick.

I’ve always worked on maintaining a good shape and having a moderate weight but I’m scared that might not be possible by just sitting down at home doing things. Gyms have been locked down, sports centers have been shut down, markets have been closed up, everything looks devastating because of this pandemic.

The last time I checked, I’d not gone for a checkup since January because of exams and now I can’t go because of this pandemic just as a way of been secured. I only hope I’ll still keep a healthy body once this thing dies down.

Everything could have been okay only if we were allowed to go to our various places of worships because that’s where my friends are but no, religious centres have been closed down too.

We are shouting lockdown! Lockdown!!, but have we thought of those people that get their daily one or two square meals from Hawking? Have we thought of those old women who are still living because of the people they meet in their local markets?

Have we thought of those drivers/riders who feed their families from the little they earn? Have we thought of those builders who help in constructions?

Okay, some civil servants and company workers have been encouraged to work from home and still get paid, fine. What of those who do not have any offices to go to, but survive on daily hustle?

It is almost certain, in fact, already happening, that some people will actually die during this period not because of the virus but due to loneliness because loneliness itself kills.

Imagine someone who has no neighbor nor anyone living with him/her, no food to fees on, no money to stock up, no family to run to, how would such a person cope?

The needy are encouraged to ask from those who have but what of those who get rejected when they ask? Please what should we do? Many more questions to ask, but the answers are short in coming. God, you are out help..