MORE than a year into this pandemic comes the realization. Indeed, this is a World War. But unlike the two world wars, this war calls on the global citizens to fight as one, do our individual roles to Stay Home, Save Lives, Save Money and wear mask, wear face shields, wash hands, be vaccinated and continue to wear shields and masks and wash hands.
Yes, there are no guns and bombs. The suffering is in silence. The casualties die alone, those left behind mourn over ashes. The rest of us? We wait, and wait, and wait.
We wait to be summoned for our vaccination, and then we wait in line to be vaccinated. How many thousands have spent sleepless nights after receiving a text message from safedavao, the QR code tracking service that calls you for a swab test when you happen to have shared a space with a confirmed case.
After that message is received, you wait in line again. And it's not as if you didn't wear a mask and shield and washed your hands... you just happened to share a space and then you have to clear yourself through a swab test.
"My whole family has been infected," a friend said. Luck was with them, the virus was kind with just minor symptoms manifesting. Another friend isn't as lucky. He's still in the ICU two weeks and counting.
Last year, people were all talking about a new normal. It was the buzzword. But it's difficult to change just like that. Social media still holds sway, and the less discerning are easily swayed. They stand firm against vaccination, they scoff at the virus. Until the virus hits home. This is beyond just choosing to live in a new normal. This is committing to change.
This world war doesn't recognize religions nor race. The loud opposition was sneering at the efforts of the government, comparing our lumbering economy that they have for so long corrupted and ravaged to the likes of Singapore and Taiwan, and yet they can't even make their immediate family behave like Singaporeans and Taiwanese. And if the news are indeed true, then even Singapore and Taiwan has been sideswiped and are now facing a fourth wave. What happened? People and governments became complacent, and there aren't just Taiwanese and Singaporeans in these countries as the virus spreads.
We're in a world war and it's calling on the global citizens regardless of age, creed, religion, and political beliefs. We have all been drafted.
saestremera@gmail.com