Things we are going to miss from the pre-pandemic times

The government has ordered everyone to wear a mask in public. Super shops and restaurants have set up disinfection booths at the entrance. Offices and educational institutions are holding meetings and lectures online.  Experts are asking everyone to practice social distancing and maintain hygiene. The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything for us.

Whether we like it or not, embracing the new normal is our only option.

It would not be easy to change our life-long habits, and undoubtedly, we are going to miss the way things used to be.

The Business Standard spoke to people from different professions and asked them what they would be missing from the "old world".

Rokshana Begum, a doctor

She would miss a life without PPE. Doctors are the frontliners in the fight against  Covid-19. As they are more exposed to the disease, they have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while dealing with patients. It does not matter whether the person is Covid-19 positive or not.

Rokshana said that she would miss attending patients without the fear of contracting the virus and without wearing PPE.

Rushdi Ashique, a communications expert

He would miss jogging without wearing a mask. Rushdi is concerned about his weight yet he cannot join a gym.

He is not sure when he can restore his faith in public places like gyms.

He would miss the world where he did not have to wear a mask during jogging. He would also miss shingara from roadside restaurants. 

Photo: Mumit M/TBS

Mahfuz Mishu, a journalist

He would miss human touch and bare faces. Mahfuz Mishu's profession requires him to communicate with a lot of people on a daily basis.

However, with the barrier of facial masks, communication seems incomplete. 

He said that he would miss adda (hangout), human touch and seeing people without masks.

"Shaking hands is not safe anymore. I cannot pat my friends on their shoulders during a conversation. I cannot see the faces of my colleagues or those of my dear ones. It is painful," he said.

Farhan Sami, a photographer

He cannot imagine a life without fuchka. Sometimes, Farhan Sami misses his office.

Although he regularly attends Zoom meetings, he misses human interaction. 

"I used to spend more time in office and with friends than at home. But now I am confined at home and have not met my friends in months. I know meeting friends frequently would not be possible in the new normal. I would miss that," he said.

"Also, I cannot imagine a life without roadside fuchka or bhelpuri," said Farhan. 

Tasnim Nishat Tonni, a banker

She would miss inviting people at home.  It has been a long time since Tasnim invited anyone at her place. She misses family get-togethers. She wants to visit her relatives again which she cannot do frequently in the new normal.

"The new normal is creating distance among people," she said.

Zannat Progga, a student

She would miss roadside tea and trying out friends' lipsticks. Progga is known as a tea addict among her friends.

She is upset because the tea from tong (makeshift shops) is now officially labelled as unhygienic. 

Moreover, the fact that she cannot try out her friends' lipsticks anymore in fear of transmission, is another bad news to her.

Photo: Mumit M/TBS

If we continue making a list of things we are going to miss from the pre-pandemic world, the list would only grow longer.

It may seem that we are being deprived of a lot of things – but this may not always be the truth.

This correspondent also spoke to people who are  at ease with the new world.

Hossain Al Wasi, a civil engineer

He is one of them.

He explained why he liked the new normal.

"In a congested city like Dhaka, everything has become quieter. Three days a week, I get to work from home, this saves the time wasted in traffic jam," he said.

In addition, he thinks people's hygiene practices have improved.

He said, being an introvert, the new system suits him.

His perspective may make people think that the new normal is not that bad altogether.