It is almost eight months since the first case of Covid-19 was registered in Bahrain in late February.

A string of preventative and precautionary measures were implemented immediately and strengthened as more cases were reported and fear of the unknown spread across the kingdom.

No efforts or expenses were spared by the government as officials worked tirelessly round-the-clock to control the pandemic in Bahrain and enormous financial packages were passed in order to off-set the negative economic impact of the virus.

Facemasks became mandatory, social distancing became the new norm, family gatherings became non-existent, remote learning became the preferred option and entertainment outlets closed as the community came together in support of the government’s efforts.

But, have we really thought about how we’ll readjust once this is over and the world is virus-free?

We have forgotten what it’s like to hug our families – our children have associated facemasks with urgent errands – students have been conditioned to remote learning – we can no longer gather over meals or distribute food to those less fortunate – sanitising became the new regular social behaviour and we can no longer greet people the way we have become accustomed to as our fates have become uncertain while the entire world continues to battle the pandemic.

It isn’t just job security, health, and the economy that have become threatened with this uncertainty but also our humanity.

The truth is – our lives may never be the same again as we have been forced to fundamentally change what it is like to be human.

I am optimistic about the future that’s for sure because I know my country will spare no effort and no expense to get us all to safety with the least casualties and losses possible. But, what worries me is when I will be able to hug my family again, when I can see my grandfather again, when I can hold my 18-month old niece once again and when I can finally be free of the facemask that has suffocated me in more ways than one.

The fear and social anxiety that have spread because of this pandemic shouldn’t be taken lightly as we feel like a hand shake has become a lethal weapon and a hug has become a death sentence.

Bearing in mind I’m a 31-year-old educated and highly functioning adult and I still haven’t come to full grips with all that is happening and I have no understanding of what is yet to come and the fear of the unknown is confusing me and scaring me.

So, imagine what our children feel like?

They don’t understand what a virus is, they don’t know why we haven’t gathered in Eid with our extended families sharing meal and hugging and they certainly don’t understand why they can’t go to school and play with their friends while being forced to stay at home and wear masks whenever going outside.

We need to all take care of ourselves and take care of our families and be committed to this fight as it isn’t just the government that is responsible for ending the pandemic in our beloved kingdom.

Hand-in-hand we can get through this and hug our families once again and our children can be children once again. 

Picture by GDN photographer Ahmed Al Fardan of his son, Adam, after getting his Covid-19 test.