I'M SITTING here in a row of seats outside the bank in a mall. Where used to be we'd sit squeezed beside each other, I'm now at the other side as the line of chairs are filled up near the door. Beside me, the guards and the QR (quick response) code checker at the mall entrance. All in face masks and shields. I, too, am.
It's interesting that ten months into this situation we collectively brought upon ourselves, there are still those who insist on their ways. The QR code checker is the most likely subjected as there are still those who refuse to show their code.
It's sad that ten months into the situation we put ourselves in, there are still the entitled ones who insist to do as they want and not what's good for all.
No, the one who ate the bat stew isn't the only one to blame. Everything that led to the bat in the bat stew to have that strain is to blame. Of course, that is assuming all this really started from the bat stew in China. That has never been confirmed, as much unverified information is being passed around. As many who will read this will rant against and taunt me.
Amid the noise that bombards us every day in social media, even as we are isolated from each other points to where humanity failed. The bat is just symbolic of the utter disregard we have given the Earth and everything around us in that search for adventure, for the exotic, for things that feed our basal instincts, the insatiable urge to travel the world, included. Imagine, this time last year, the sun was scorching like the summer sun. Now, with travel restrictions and the 50-plus daily flights in and out of Davao alone that has been reduced to just five, and we are experiencing the cold of two decades ago. Multiply that worldwide and imagine the carbon footprints that have been reduced. And that is just the flights because half the population wanna party somewhere else.
But many only blame, never accepting blame. In the process, we're still here, behind our masks and shields, six feet apart, uncertain about the future. (Lucky are we six feet apart, for many are now six feet under). Be still, we have long been told. But, we'd rather rage against anyone and everyone. The ten months that should have been spent in introspection, becoming a daily battle of words and insults against anyone and everyone on social media, and the poor security guard and QR code checker.
In the meantime, as I was finally allowed to enter the bank, ten months since I last entered one, I asked the guard: "Where do I go?"
It's a question we must all be asking by now, but most especially when we emerge from this pandemic, freed from the shields and masks and compulsory quarantines, freed from travel restrictions, and able to see all our friends and family again. Sad to say, only a few will, as the greater urge will be to party and celebrate freedom in basal ways, the same ways that brought us all here.
We've been restricted for ten months now. Please take responsibility and do our part. All of us are equally to blame, stop the ranting, the taunts, and the anger. It's not doing all of us any good.
Be still and know...
saestremera@gmail.com