COVID-19: Regenerates family bonding and heals the Mother Earth

Image credit to GuelphToday.com

The country announced lock-down in Metro Manila and followed by the whole Luzon Island and the local agencies from the cities down to the municipalities followed the mandate. The whole country is now on a state of calamity for six months starting last March 17. This is how SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the commonly known disease COVID-19 affects the Philippines. Health officials are alarmed of the increasing infections due to the proximity of the Philippines to China. PUIs and PUMs increased daily and deaths had already been reported. Face masks and rubbing alcohols already run out of stocks when the Coronavirus invaded the country. The whole country is now put into a greater risk of contamination. Social distancing is imposed and staying at home is highly encouraged.

I already heard all about Coronavirus but this latest one is more deadly and spreads readily all throughout the world where China is the most stricken country because it is there where the virus came. Italy is the worst place outside China being contaminated where numerous deaths are reported in a 24-hour span. The rest of the world has already casualties reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). We are now facing a deadly unseen enemy, a virus that secretly lurks inside our bodies and like a vulture, it preys on our lungs. Lucky to those who survived the ordeal, and sorry for the early demise of some. Among the casualties are the frontliners in the medical profession and the healthcare workers.




For the past few months or years before COVID-19 came, people are all busy in their normal daily chores. Some families are preparing for the graduation of their family members, and some have already plans for a summer vacation when the school ends. Airplane tickets, hotels and tour destination accommodations are early booked. Nobody ever thought that their lives will eventually change. The most affected ones are those who are working in a company as casuals, the small entrepreneurs who solely depend on their meager income and people from the transportation industry especially the drivers. Everybody from all walks of life is affected, the rich and the poorest of the poor. The virus knows no limit. It will kill anybody from anywhere.

For me, the pandemic made me realized that we are all susceptible to any unknown viruses. It also regenerates family bonding and unknowingly heals the Mother Earth because pollution has lessened due to halt in transportation, temporary closure of big factories, and the like. Everyone is facing a dilemma. The government already imposed strict rules to prevent the spread of the virus. It is up to the citizen on how to deal with the rules and guidelines. Some are not taking the order seriously. The virus is not a joke anymore as the number of casualties is already very alarming. The mandate is very simple, stay at home until further notice from the health authorities and the local government. Observe proper hygiene and most of the time wash hands thoroughly with soap. Eat healthy foods as possible and take vitamin C to strengthen the immunity system. Take time to have a healthy morning bath with the heat of the sun. Do not ignore any illness that may arise at home especially cough and breathing problems doubled with fever and body pains.

We do not know yet as to when the virus is totally contained and the lock-down ends. All we need to do is simply heed with what the local health authorities advised all the people in the community. After all, we will benefit more by just following their order.

I stayed at home fixing things that had been ignored for a long time due to time constraint. I stayed at home spending quality time with family members unlike before that we only have time to talk during meals. I stayed at home updating news from the Internet especially Facebook. I stayed at home monitoring family members who are away from me. I stayed at home watching movies though I am not used doing it. Most of the things that I did at home for now were the ones that I ignored before. I have more time with my family and pets. I have more time cleaning areas that I cannot do before. I have more time talking God personally for His protection and guidance. It's been more a week already that I stayed at home and no idea yet as when will everything be back to normal. I firmly believe that all of these will end soon.




I noticed that some people are already getting paranoid of the pandemic. They solely depend on Facebook news, be it legit or fake. They easily react to some issues though the government is taking its time solving and putting things in order. All I read in my Facebook wall are negative opinions, reactions and comments. These could not help the local government in fighting the deadly virus while implementing the programs to supply aid and support to the community. I just hope and pray that violence will be evaded.

The most that I could do for now is to take time reading the lives of the frontliners who sacrificed everything including their lives just to assist the government in its unending battle with the unseen warrior. I salute to them but it is so hurting that they from the medical profession were the ones who are placed in the battle front, they are the ones who stand for what they swear to uphold specific ethical standards, they are the ones who temporarily left their families at home and perform their duties and obligations as medical practitioners and healthcare workers. May their souls rest in peace. And not to forget also the private organizations and volunteers who shared their resources, time and effort in helping the community like giving donations and performing fumigation process to help contain the spread of the virus. Thank you so much. God save us all!

There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. - Luke 21:11