Coronavirus has changed the world for ever. Nothing will be the same again even if it goes away or is contained with the help of a vaccine. Nobody was probably ready for such a disaster or catastrophe.

Coronavirus has caught the whole world by surprise as health care system of even the most developed countries has collapsed just like a sandcastle, let alone the developing and under-developed countries. While cross-sections of people and think-tankers are talking about conspiracy theory, probable vaccine and the aftermaths, we have almost forgotten the fact that this particular virus is creating its success story counting on the most obvious universal truth – death. A great number of people have already died so far. It is for sure the number of deaths will experience the same trend for the next few months.

Since the fear of death is pervading all around, people are actually segmented into two groups from a psychological point of view — the first group consist of people like me who are mentally prepared to die any time as they feel fulfilled while there are many other people as well who are having nervous breakdown because the fear of death is gripping them tight. Multiplied by such breakdown such people are getting more susceptible to further health complications. The next few paragraphs are dedicated to those faint-hearted people.

The fact is that death is probably not such a terrible experience as it seems to be. None of us actually know what happens after death and this ignorance, further intensified by religious scriptures and warnings, is the reason why people are so afraid to die. This fear is comparable to the fear of children to go in the dark. Francis Bacon, widely regarded as the greatest essayist in the history of English literature, claims in his essay ‘Of Death’, “Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other.”

Another piece of soothing news for those scared to die is that death may not be an ugly thing considering the notion that death washes away all the misdeeds committed by that particular person. The moment someone dies, people get oblivious to all the sins committed by him/her and begins eulogizing the deceased person. Bacon says in the afore-mentioned essay, “Death hath this also; that it openth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy. The same man that was envied while he lived, shall be loved when he is gone.” It sounds quite convincing, right?

However as far as people who are strong enough to accept death are concerned, life has something in store for them as well. Nobody knows who’s going to be infected and die eventually. It means the next man to join the row of death could be me. So, instead of squandering time we are left with, it’s time to make necessary confessions. If we die of coronavirus, there will be nobody around us to bid adieu to us. When we will be carried away in an ambulance, there may be no one to accompany us. So, it’s better to confess whatever we want to beforehand to our near ones. Philip Larkin, an English poet, has described such a situation in his poem ‘Ambulances’. The lines are – “Closed like confessionals, they thread; Loud noons of cities, giving back; None of the glances they absorb.”

Most importantly, there is no way to escape death. The feeling is so true. Philip Larkin says in the same poem, “And sense the solving emptiness; That lies just under all we do; And for a second get it whole; So permanent and blank and true.” So, instead of beating around the bush, we should accept the fact that death is always after us and so, we should focus on passing quality time with our near and dear ones with a view to creating memories to be cherished after our departure. As we are having holidays, it’s a better idea to sit together and ruminate over those beautiful moments spent together and create new ones.

To conclude, the only thing that’s inevitable in our life is death (later or sooner) and it’s probably not a bad concept to accept if you have lived your life to the full brim. So, even if you are infected with coronavirus, remember the words penned by Francis Bacon in the essay ‘Of Death’ — It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful as the other. But, above all, believe it, the sweetest canticle is, now lettest thou … depart, when a man hath obtained worthy ends and expectations.”

(The writer is a columnist.)