Hey, everybody!
How are you all holding up amidst this COVID-19 pandemic? I’m hoping most of you are in the safety of your own homes isolating and practicing social distancing. Handwashing and the use of alcohol is the best practice as well.
COVID-19
I am writing this because I’m starting to feel melancholic thinking about the worldwide COVID-19 crisis and its implications. Probably, many of you feel the same way. I think it’s because of the constant reminder of the spread and effect of the virus not only on people’s health but on all aspects our lives. From waking up to going to sleep, to working, to grocery shopping, we are being reminded of this deadly virus. We are all affected in many ways. Many even say that life after COVID-19 will never be the same.
As of this date, there are more than half a million people infected and 25,000+ deaths of the virus worldwide. Every time I see these numbers constantly go up day by day, my heart breaks for all those patients and their families and loved ones.
We are all worried.
I am worried. And I know everyone is too. A world’s crisis in this magnitude has never happened before, in my lifetime at least. Or is it in the history of humankind as well? We had epidemics and pandemics in the past but they weren’t as globally spread as Covid-19, I think. The changes and effects it caused in our lives are troublesome. Millions have lost their jobs, schools have closed and people have died are only among them.
Canceled Plans
Plans are canceled. One example is my best friend’s wedding in May. She told me that they will probably postpone the wedding considering that the situation might not be fully resolved by that time. I mean, who knows when all this will be over? Unless there will be a discovery of a cure or the availability of vaccine soon. But for now, we do what we have to do to slow down the transmission of the virus. That is by staying in our homes and by doing social distancing.
My goals and plans are also affected. I haven’t shared these plans in my blog yet but I promise to write about them at a later time. A part of this plan is me flying out of town last March 18th. However, my flight was canceled because of an enhanced quarantine implemented starting on March 17th. And I’m not going to lie, I was frustrated when I first heard about it because of the inconvenience it caused me.
It’s hard to accept when plans change and it’s not your fault. Worst is that it’s not anyone’s fault, it’s the situation itself. I understand now so I am calm about these changes. And to think, everybody is recently hassled by this crisis, not just me. My friend who was supposed to be traveling outside of the Philippines for the first time canceled his vacation trip. Many co-workers who were supposed to be flying to the middle-east for employment have returned work for the meantime.
People are becoming paranoid.
Many have also become a little paranoid about this virus. The times I do handwashing/hand hygiene, for example, have tripled, if not doubled daily when I’m at work. My aunts also told me they had problems sleeping at night because they kept thinking about the pandemic. When someone cough or sneeze in public, others would immediately walk away from the source.
This is indeed a scary time in the world. When describing myself, I always say I’m a positive person. And still am because I am positive that this shall all pass. We’ll be able to see people walking outside freely, traveling and exploring. We will be able to hug and kiss our loved ones especially our elderly.
End of the World?
On the other hand, there’s a part of my brain thinking of the negative scenarios too. Lately, those what-ifs keep popping in my head makes me feel down. I’m aware that I have to do something about it or it could spiral down. Maintaining good mental health, especially during this time, is very important.
The first thing I have to change is to limit watching/reading news to only a few minutes a day. Since the start of this pandemic, I am always on the ear for news updates if I get a chance. When I get up in the morning, I check the news online which as everyone knows are not all so good news. Then it goes on throughout my day from talking to my relatives at home to going to work in the hospital. We talk of the same topic- COVID-19.
BBC News as of Today
How long will this last?
Nobody knows how long this crisis will last. But one thing is for sure, we all want the same thing- this to end and soon. For now, let’s do our part, stay home.
Lastly, have you ask the question of why this is all happening now? If you are a spiritual person, do you also wonder that maybe there’s a reason behind all of this?
My theory is that this is how the planet Earth is knocking on us, reminding us of who’s the real boss. Probably, it is a way of disciplining the humankind for not taking good care of Earth and all its natural resources. Aren’t we all talking about climate change for a few years now? Maybe this is it. This is the time we need to make big changes for the benefit of our planet. What do you think?
Random Photos This Week Under Quarantine
There’s a 100 people limit in our grocery mall in town. We can sit and wait for our turn to shop for food and other necessities.
A policy of “no mask, no entry” is being followed inside. Upon entering, the guards will check everyone’s temperature and would ask to disinfect their hands.
Masks are very limited in our town nowadays (even at work- we ran out of surgical masks ha). At first, my aunt wanted to make masks for the family so she researched how to sew them. Currently, there are many who wanted to order from her so we’re a little busy making masks.
I helped whenever I can.
Take care, everyone! We’ll get through this crisis as long as everyone listens and do their best.
Read my recent post.
Nursing Journal: A Fight Against Coronavirus COVID 19 in the Philippines
