I'VE talked to a lot of people and, everyone is very concerned about how things have turned out since the start of this pandemic -- "dapat lang naman, 'di ba?" Restrictions have been lowered with more and more people now "freely" moving about. On one hand, it's good to see that life is coming back to "life." Being isolated from the outside world has been very difficult for most.
Although the "make the most of your time while at home movement" did help people cope, the distraction of walking outside, roaming the streets, and seeing other people again, has cut short the efforts and initiatives done.
I'm happy that a good number have sustained what they started. In fact, these new entrepreneurs, urban gardeners, artists, creative geniuses, to name a few, have raised awareness to another level. Shifting the focus from the fear factor to the "we can do this' mindset has helped a lot of people, especially the children, in coming to terms with this thing we call as a new normal.
I am saddened that still, the hate and fault finding culture abounds. Perhaps, we need to understand that this will never, ever go away -- the nega, that is. Instead of focusing on the caring, it appears that the scaring has returned. As it is, the negativity also continues to rise with the number of Covid-19 infections rising. People and officials make statements, and although some may seem "inappropriate" or uncalled for, sometimes, the focus on these statements and why these are wrong, who is wrong, who should be asked to step down, who is right, what should be reported, what is not reported, who the competition is, and so on and so forth, is very discouraging. And while they're at it, "kubido" is again rearing its ugly head to the point that people fear going back to square one. "Huwag naman sana."
What do the numbers mean? I refused to look at the stats, or better yet, I stopped looking at these stats several weeks ago. Whether it's the first wave, second wave or the tsunami, I feel it is no longer the most important.
Covid-19 is still here and will remain until the vaccine of the "veeroos" is already available. Having said that, please think about what you should do.
I repeat, Covid-19 will remain with us! So please think about what you should do. It has always been, and will continue to be, a personal thing -- what you as an individual should do. Knowing what you can do, and actually doing it are two different stories altogether.
Studies and results have come out time and again. The longer we dealt with the pandemic, the better the real experts understand the dynamics of "kubido." But what are they all saying? Wash your hands, refrain from touching your face, disinfect with alcohol, wear a mask, avoid crowds or maintain physical distancing. "Mahirap ba? Opo, mahirap talaga!" But that is the best way to avoid getting infected or infecting others. Looking at the mistakes of others and rubbing it in, through socmed, will not. You'll probably get a lot of likes, hearts, sympathizers and comments of "support" (iwwnezzz), but the fact remains -- avoid getting infected by the "veeroos" or infecting others with the "veeroos."
While on my 11th day of home quarantine, I wrote a song entitled, "Isang mundo, isang tayo." It is nowhere near the caliber of "We are the world," but allow me to share a few lines-"Sama-sama nating sugpuin ang salot na Covid-19. 'Di tayo matatakot, tayo ay magwawagi! Patungo sa bagong normal, dalangin ko sa Poong Maykapal. Iisa ang ating mundo, iisa tayo. Iisa ang ating mundo, maki-isa tayo!"
"Halong..."
"It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed." -- Doe Zantamat
"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars." -- Og Mandino
"Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings." -- Elie Weisel