WE HEAVE a sigh of collective relief as reports come in that the vaccine against Covid-19 is coming out of clinical trials and into the commercial markets.

We have to take the word of the pioneer manufacturers of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine that it is almost effective against the disease, after the results of several clinical trials were evaluated by the responsible persons.

Now, President Duterte, who pledged P100 million to whosoever first discovers the vaccine, can be confident in announcing through the Task Force Inter-Agency that we are nearing the end of our fight against this dreaded and deadly disease. Perhaps, the Inter-Agency Task Force would be ready to proclaim our entry into the new normal.

For almost ten months already, we have been living dangerously close to death amd fatal consequences. It was tough and very challenging even to tough guys and hardened heads of families.

This pandemic literally changed our lives and habits and, because of it, we've learned to live on a tough day-to-day basis.

Funds became scarce everywhere, even the local government units felt the economic crunch, with none to spare.

Prices of essential commodities spiraled above the normal indices, inflation ballooned to unimaginable proportion and unemployment and poverty registered at their highest levels.

Never have we seen the most devastating effects of the global pandemic but only now. Everyone had a harrowing experience tale to tell. The never-ending narrations of sorrows became most pronounced.

Truly, this decade brought indelible scratches on our nation's forehead. But the suffering and deprivation were widespread and even the wealthiest of nations cried for help.

***

As I've written before, the pandemic has drastically changed everything we hold dear. With the advent of the new vaccine, we hope that the deadly virus will forever be obliterated.

And then, we can live normally and vigorously than before. In the meantime, we ought to observe the tough health protocols imposed upon us by the all-knowing authorities!