Not many pay attention to cleanliness. The coronavirus that has spread is indeed a lesson for all of us. I am sure there are many who have never used sanitisers or seen them before this pandemic. But why wait for a virus to spread to be hygienic? (“Europe toll crosses 50,000, virus crisis EU’s biggest test: Merkel,” April 7, Gulf Today).

Cleanliness should be a way of life. It is not a forced phenomenon and everyone should be practicing cleanliness whether at home or in an office, etc. All this starts through education and awareness. 

Home is our first school and we should be learning cleanliness as a child. We can see various sicknesses spreading in a short span of time. It is necessary to keep ourselves clean to avoid disease from affecting us. Keeping ourselves clean is the first step.

Due to the pandemic, we have reached a stage where people are forced to sit indoors today and most of us are in a panic stage as to what is going to happen next. Business cannot run, families and friends cannot catch up even for a little chit-chat, spiritual gatherings are postponed, parks are closed and not many people are seen outdoors.

Many life-threatening diseases are caused due to the lack of cleanliness, whether it is at home, schools, etc. If we follow proper hygiene and take care of our environment, all these health issues can be avoided and we can enjoy a happy life. Whether it is your room, school, garden, community, society, etc. we have a duty to keep it neat and tidy.

Cleanliness is not something that should be forced upon a person but it should be practiced and be a part of one’s lifestyle. A clean and well-groomed person will always succeed. Lastly, cleanliness will also help us to be fit and be healthy, mentally, physically and socially as well. So let’s not wait for sickness to spread and ruin our lives and the life of others. Remember “prevention is better than cure”.

Mathew Litty — By email