Sharing and caring begins from the kitchen amid the pandemic

Acts of liking and sharing have moved to the non-virtual world as food lovers are being selective about social media posts, finding happiness in cooking for friends or neighbours instead

As the country copes with a surge in COVID-19 cases, there is a visible shift in social media patterns. This time last year, people were sharing pictures and videos on baking sourdough and doing home bar takeovers, even as they participated in viral challenges like Dalgona coffee. However, this year, battered by the emotional and physical impact of the pandemic, even if people cook and eat for comfort, many are choosing not to share it on Instagram. Lecturer Chandrasekhar Sarmah from Odisha points out: “I don’t want to be insensitive to people’s suffering. Last year I had close family members suffering from COVID-19, so I know the stress. I don’t want the people looking for help on social media to be fed with unnecessary information about my Ramzan menu. Even before lockdown, I stopped posting tempting food shots of Ramzan specialities so that viewers aren’t tempted to venture out.” Of late, food shots or videos being shared are mostly related to food for COVID-19 patients under quarantine; with the hashtag #CookForCOVID being particularly active. Mumbai-based networking consultant Nina Mishra says it is important to keep people’s social media feeds free of unnecessary information like lunch or dinner spreads.