LIKE most of us, I do not know what the future holds. These times are unchartered, unpredictable and uncertain. There is no playbook for what will happen next. We don’t know when things will get back to normal. We do not know if things will ever be normal.
This outbreak forces us to re-evaluate our past, present and future decisions in a different light. Policies may need to be changed and our priorities may have to shift.
Let’s hope to see change for the better.
1. That people will finally take their health and disease prevention seriously. I hope people get proactive, take care of their health first rather than manage disease in the end. How do we take care of our health? Eat healthy, exercise, sleep more and stress less.
2. That the palate of our people changes from processed food toward food that’s loaded with vegetables and fruits.
3. That the average Filipino household would grow at least five fruits and vegetable plants in its home.
4. That major food chains like Jollibee would offer healthy food choices that the general public could embrace.
5. That the urban planning in our cities is designed to make urban living efficient but equally as important helps people to be healthier, where they can walk more, in environments that are devoid of air pollution.
6. That in our hospitals and healthcare facilities, disease prevention is given more importance than disease management.
7. That people make time for exercise. Whether in malls, parks, gyms or in their homes.
8. That Physical Education in schools is treated as important as Math and History because taking care of our health and knowing its importance must start at an early age and should be reinforced as the student journeys through our educational systems.
9. That companies care for their employee’s health by measuring not only productivity and efficiency metrics in their employees but also seriously assess their employees’ health and wellness and provide standards to be maintained.
10. That our future government officials learn from all of this and provide measures to ensure the health of the Filipino in a streamlined and efficient manner. On that note, we need more hospitals all over the country, and more hospital beds not just when disease strikes.
We will get through this if we sit tight and stay at home. Let’s listen to the authorities and trust our leaders as they help us weather this storm. We do not know what the future holds, but we know He who holds the future.