Unlike the flings you can find online, the first cancellation of physical classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic achieved its first anniversary on March 10, 2021 – and the rise of cases shows no sign of slowing down.
During the first trimester of lockdown, people, through their social media accounts, joked about what they will do first as soon as the quarantine ends. They would start their posts with “after ng pandemic...” then proceed to what they really miss about the pre-covid era. Some said they would meet their friends and hug them as tight as they can. Some would enjoy drinks and feel the heat of the crowd in bars. Some said they want to wander wherever they want. While some just want to get fresh air and forget about the feeling of restlessness because of staying indoors. Everything somehow feels nostalgic, and it is getting painful to even think about it.
After an excruciating year, it is as if things remain worse. If we are talking about relationships, hearts, or butterflies, things can be beautiful and inspirational. But our situation is about lost jobs, lost time, lost freedom, and the worst, lost lives. There is no way we can use positive adjectives to describe the circumstances that our country is currently in. Our road to recovery is like a morning full of smug or looking through eyes with a grade of a thousand.
The Thriving Quarantine Protocols
Quarantine protocols are still implemented in an effort to reduce the continuous transmission of the virus in the country. Primarily, the first protocol that is strictly implemented is the restriction of mass gatherings. That is the sole reason for the ongoing online classes nationwide. Some jobs that are not necessary to be on site are now being done through the premises of the workers’ home. Religious gatherings are also prohibited. Lastly, the businesses and public transportation are only allowed to be open with 50% of their space’s capacity.
This protocol gave birth to the surge of online transactions and businesses. Unfortunately, this is not enough to secure your safety against the virus. Hence, just like the double rule in accounting, we also need to double our precautionary measures. First, distance. Second, sanitize. Establishments are required to be sanitized daily in order to eliminate any chances of the virus to terrorize a specific place. People in malls, offices, and such, get their temperature checked upon entry and use free alcohol or sanitizer along the entrance. To further protect ourselves, we are required to use face masks and face shields, so we can limit the risk of getting the virus since its vulnerable accesses are our eyes, nose, and mouth. Currently, some LGUs are enforcing heavy protocol about using the said protective accessories. Those who will be caught violating the ordinance can be fined as high as three thousand pesos.
For those who are in need of traveling from one city, province or country to another because of the nature of their jobs or circumstances, or those who are privileged for leisure travel, are required to take swab tests before their trips. Those who are entering the country are obligated to be placed in quarantine for 14 days. If they will experience symptoms within those days, they will be tested again. If tested positive, they will be isolated and will be sent to a hospital for treatment. Those protocols are also applied for people who were in contact with a positive patient.
These protocols were originally implemented to lessen and mitigate the transmission of the virus but the solution against the current health crisis should not be limited to the same. Just like what foreign countries are doing, we also need to vaccinate our people in order for us to achieve herd immunity and totally alleviate the rising numbers of active cases.
Wasted Efforts?
Exactly March 1, vaccine doses have been legally rolled out in the Philippines. The vaccination program of the Department of Health (DOH) comes with the prioritization of the frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, indigent population, and the uniformed personnel (AFP, PNP, PCG, and etc.).
Despite the nonstop efforts of everyone to survive this pandemic, we still cannot see our chances of making our “after ng pandemic” wishes come true. Some are torn between dying of ‘covid’ or dying of hunger. Some are fighting to keep their sanity. We are looking for the end of the pandemic, but it seems like the end is looking for us. And after a year here we are being the exact reflection of what many deemed to be the worst possible series of events, ‘2020’.
Life after ‘Covid’ remains to be a distant vision. Now that the cases continuously spike to thousands, going back to our normal routine is way harder than topping the board exam. Primarily, what we need is a vaccine that is available to the mass and vaccination that is accessible to the majority; and by the way, accountability. The collective sentiment of the Filipino people is that there should be an accountable entity that will be responsible for all of the devastating impacts of the pandemic to the country. Now the challenge is for everyone to fully conjure the entities accountable for the same.
We should not stop talking about our “after ng pandemic” wishes. It is what we deserve. People deserve to have their jobs, time, freedom, and life. We’re still not sure when this will end, but –
Uncertainty does not mean never.
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