As the government gradually eases the lockdown across the country, people are going back to how they lived their ‘lives before corona’. However, what they seem to forget is that we are still stuck in a global pandemic. But as these last few days have shown, Eid shopping is more important than safeguarding our lives.
Market places and small businesses have reopened since Monday after a month of lockdown. However, things like malls, cinemas, restaurants, public transport remain closed.
Despite a rise in the rate of coronavirus infections across Pakistan, the government decided to ease the lockdown as it was affecting the economy.
The cases have risen up to almost 32,900 and yet, Pakistanis are not taking it seriously.
Traffic jams and overcrowded markets were observed on Monday throughout the country. What is more shocking and disappointing is that many people were not following the basic guidelines to further prevent the spread of the virus, i.e, wearing masks, gloves, and maintaining an acceptable physical distance.
Look at line of women outside #khaadi Gulberg Lahore today. #lifeinpartiallockdown pic.twitter.com/2pDL3GSyaF
— Ali khizar (@AliKhizar) May 11, 2020
#Alarming situation in Federal Capital #Islamabad, people rushed to the markets as lock down eased, no precautionary measures, I request all plz stay at home don’t take ur children out for #Eid #Shopping, lives at risk 🙏#coronavirus #CoronaVirusPakistan #StayHome #LockdownEnd pic.twitter.com/9XOsa2WvFz
— Shakeel Ahmed (@shakeel_ahmed9) May 9, 2020
I’m working with fashion retailers. Some of these brands have got about 100k orders in last month.
An avg brand is getting about 700 queries per day on FB regarding the opening of outlets.We thought the Pakistani awaam would be scared of covid. Nah,Asma wants that Eid suit! https://t.co/9RejkTM9tS
— Ali Raza (@AliRazarizvi34) May 11, 2020
Is Eid Shopping Really Important Right Now?
We thought that people would become more aware of the risks with the ever-increasing daily death toll from coronavirus. Yesterday, 42 Pakistanis succumbed to the virus, and the number threatens to go up. But unfortunately, it is the other way round as far as most of us are concerned.
Instead of being more cautious and follow the government-issued measures, people are leaving their homes to find the ‘perfect’ dress for Eid.
Apparently ‘Eid shopping’ is way more important than our lives.
Crowded market, traffic jams and queues outside retails stores seen on the first day after lockdown eases in Karachi. Pakistan govt said people are responsible for distancing https://t.co/BIe4tiH24D pic.twitter.com/0wg4Ru7mSe
— Faseeh Mangi (@FaseehMangi) May 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/eyesonpak/status/1257599572496580609?s=21
Today sialkot main bazar😝😝smart lock down sop😝😝😝😝 pic.twitter.com/Bh48jqWH04
— AITZAZ ASLAM (@AITZAZASLAM3) May 11, 2020
Anarkali bazar after smart Lockdown. pic.twitter.com/3AH3fdskza
— Fahad فہد (@iFahdii) May 11, 2020
Haripur main bazaar is full of women who’re out for Eid Shopping. How are clothes more important than life itself ? #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/WFFKQtCeQ4
— Faizan Khan (@Faizankhaan91) May 11, 2020
PM has obliged on People of Pakistan, This is lahore, Punjab where Women are in queue fr Eid Shopping, with no Social Distance, No proper safety measure are taken. Such Shops should be sealed who don't follow the SOP for Coronavirus.#Covid_19pic.twitter.com/kLdoA3LbF3
— Khaleek kohistani (@KhalekKohistani) May 11, 2020
People in Karachi’s DHA gather outside a bank waiting for it to open
The guard on the righg at the entrance checked temperatures and tried to tell the people to keep a distance between themselves but no one seemed to be listening pic.twitter.com/oeubIVk4QV
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) May 12, 2020
Karachi ki smart phone market mein smart lockdown pic.twitter.com/maN3Dnd39U
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) May 11, 2020
I mean how difficult is it to keep a distance of six feet if you are standing in line pic.twitter.com/robTN17g03
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) May 11, 2020
Concluding thoughts
It seems that many have forgotten the whole purpose behind the lockdown and social distancing after staying at home for too long.
Yes, Eid is an important occasion, but that does not mean we should start queuing in front of stores without following the precautionary measures. Health and safety should be our first priority in this crucial hour but people have decided to throw it out the window just for the sake of a few clothes.
The death toll is rising at an alarming rate. And if folks continue to act like the world is going to end if they don’t go outside now, then we are at a bigger risk of losing more lives. Think of your own closed ones if God forbid, you come into contact with a carrier outside your home.
The point of this post is not to say that all of the populace should be out right now. Daily wagers who are just trying to make ends meet have no option but to work, and their employers need to ensure that their safety is a priority. But for those of us who are privileged enough to survive without worrying about making ends meet, it is not too much to expect better from them.
The world will still revolve. Life will still go on. Everything will still be there after we have come out of this global crisis. Be patient. It is not the time we should be risking ours and the lives of our loved ones. We must take a step back and reset our priorities.
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Can you pls put an email forward symbol on your site, as I would like to share some of your reports with those of us who do not live in Pakistan and are not on Twitter/FB etc.
Thanks