Fetalvero: Helping hands

SOCIAL distancing at face value would seem anti-social. However, the coronavirus phenomenon inspired some civic-minded citizens to get out of their comfort zones and to reach out to be part of what a group of millennials call “make it 20.” Why “make it 20?” They were packing some face masks, alcohol and other medical supplies to be distributed to the homeless without realizing as they were packing, the 20 packs became 40, then there was 60 and more. There is no limit to generosity when the intention is bigger than one’s heart.

Remember the parable of the two fishes and the five loaves of bread? It fed hundreds of people and there were even leftovers. The parable was the Lord’s way of telling us in generosity, there is abundance.

Glued to my rocking chair—since staying home is the suggested remedy to remain uncontaminated—with the TV remote control in hand, I switch from one station to the next getting all the information about Covid-19.

I was deeply touched by one “taho” vendor filling up cups of this soy-based delicacy to be distributed to the police and military personnel manning the checkpoints. This poor street vendor was willing to do away with his day’s earning because he was being considerate of the thirst and hunger experienced by the uniformed men on a hot summer day.

Mother Teresa’s take on charitable acts is rather difficult to comprehend. She said: “Admirable is one who gives but also bleeds.” Meaning, you give your last centavo even if your next meal is uncertain.

Businessmen are known to be shrewd but this time there were a number of them who got involved in the government’s efforts to allocate food packs for barangay residents. House-to-house distribution of groceries, and rice diligently on a day-to-day basis is no joke, especially when a municipality’s resources are limited. Donations stream in packing centers. A group of architects volunteered to build quarantine facilities. Chefs joined forces and cooked their favorite meals to be distributed to those manning checkpoints and health workers accommodated in different places close to the hospitals.

Churches remained open to the homeless. While being sheltered, they were fed. Hungry barangay residents in Quezon City should have sought the help of their parish priest instead of protesting in the streets for delayed rationing of food. Rising tension between protesters and policemen could have been avoided.

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