If any autowallah in my neighbourhood ends up learning about the contents of this column, chances are, I might have to lug out my under-utilised bicycle to move around for essentials and errands. Truth is, the past two weeks have presented somewhat of a shocker each time I've had to commute in an autorickshaw. The lackadaisical attitude of most autowallahs towards following adequate safety measures for themselves and passengers didn't offer any assurance at all.

Back in early June, I had predicted this development in one of my columns where I was trying to figure how certain types of junta will be able to carry on with work while wearing a face mask – like the bhajiwallah, the Koli fisherwoman [both needed to exercise their vocal cords to draw in customers], and the autowallah [for his spitting routine or yelling out gaalis while driving around town]. Turns out, these not-so-cool riders haven't been wearing masks since it hampers them from engaging in this very same "time-pass" – the spitting projectile routine. Who listens to the countless social media messages to explain how a few simple precautions can go a long way in keeping numbers under control?