Threshold and Comfort: Pandemic Schedule

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A threshold can be defined as a barrier or boundary between two entities. Due to the pandemic, the old thresholds have been broken and new ones have been created because of the social distancing and the safety measures that are being taken. A threshold could be the virtual lectures that we’re attending or the usage of the terrace or balconies as a replacement for the public spaces during these times.


The map shows the daily schedule of my family and neighbor during this pandemic and how the comfort level of the activities have changed and how the various thresholds are safe or unsafe. The comfort level of “0” defines itself as a state of comfort before the pandemic. The comfort level of the daily activities has also changed due to the pandemic. If we look at the schedule of my father, he used to go to his office with 5 more people in one car including the driver. Now because of the social distancing, there are only two people in one car where they both wear masks and hence, my father has to drive. This threshold of change has caused discomfort which he rated as -3, the extreme. 


The safety of the threshold directly links with the pandemic and its consequences directly.  The safety boundaries and its threshold is being affected by the various daily activities of a person. The more unsafe the threshold is, the more is the person at risk of getting infected. If we take the example of the comfort level of my mother buying groceries online is -3 and is an unsafe threshold because of the indirect physical contact of people and the time barrier. 


Before the mapping, it was felt that the unsafe thresholds will always result in a lower comfort level. Apparently, after the mapping, it was realized that the comfort level and safety of the threshold are not always dependent on each other. After mapping the total comfort level of the day can also be calculated.


Shrayana Ray


 

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