Expect The Unexpected

 

Filipinos are hard-working individuals. The fear that grew inside them was getting exposed and infected and not having enough to feed the family. And even if it means having to spend more hours working and sacrifice being with the family, they just need to do it. When the threat of COVID19 became more horrifying, each Filipino worker only had one thing in their mind — how are they going to survive this?

Indeed, some companies have provided assistance as they have temporarily closed down. Still, their food may not be healthy enough to prevent them from getting sick with limited resources. The government promised to provide the basic necessities. However, not everyone may receive them because it may not be enough. Or there are still scallawags who only think of themselves and care less about what others will have to endure.

Unfortunately, some of our kababayans have become infected, which led to their demise. COVID 19 is a very complex virus. Because we cannot tell if the person next to us is infected or not. Since some who were found to be positive for the virus do not show any symptoms. And to just rely on face masks and disinfectants may not be enough. The enhanced community quarantine was imposed to help prevent the further spreading of the disease. However, not everyone understood the benefit of this. They took it in a different light and continued fighting against it.

What happens to those infected but who were able to recover? Some doctors said that there is still a chance that the individual may be infected again if vaccines are still not available. The lungs of an individual who has coronavirus pneumonia tend to affect all lungs. Unlike common pneumonia, which only affects small parts of the lungs, antibacterial drugs can quickly stop the disease from spreading. The elderly and those with existing medical conditions are likely to be concerned because of their low immune system.

The COVID 19 Aftermath

For sure, it will not be easy to rise after the “recession.” So many companies who have been affected may find the need to relieve some of their employees. Because they do not have the means to pay for their services. Unemployment will surely rise, and just like a domino effect, the poor Juan will again need to suffer.

Airlines have lost a lot after travel restrictions have been implemented. If there are people who can travel in certain parts of the world, the airplanes do not carry as many people as they used to, probably just about 10-20%.

The class suspension was implemented as early as the second week of March. Although the children may have rejoiced at the thought of having an early summer vacation, the implication of this is actually not something to be happy about. There was no mass promotion because children still needed to submit their projects, and some were called to be online to finish their lessons. However, it was unfortunate for those who did not have an internet connection at home. To risk going to an open computer shop may not be a wise idea. So, should these students be marked incomplete?

The school calendar will likely be changed. Graduation for those who were supposed to graduate last March will need to be rescheduled; thus, the school year 2020-2021 may start at a much later date. Thus, one semester may be wasted.

Since businesses slumped, some basic necessities’ prices may likely increase. Raw materials that come from abroad may impose higher prices, thus affecting the retail prices in our country. So, even if COVID 19 threat slowly dies down, we are still plagued with a handful of problems that we need to face and are likely to suffer for the following months.

As the supply may not return to normal, some people will continue to take advantage of the situation by hoarding and selling them at a high price. Just like what happened with the supply of face masks, alcohol, and hand sanitizers.

Even if there would be improvements in preventing the spread of the disease, some people will continue to blame people for what has happened. We didn’t want this to happen, nor did the rest of the world. Being confined in our home was the best way to prevent further spreading. If the virus no longer finds a host to proliferate, the virus slowly dies down. But suppose people continue to do against what they are told. In that case, the number of people infected will just multiply and could cause thousands of lives.

To be realistic, the problem we are facing now with COVID 19 will persist for several months more. The whole country needs to endure this blow, and until then, we need to brace ourselves. The cure for COVID 19 is in the works, and not until these are commercially distributed, no one is safe from the killer disease. Mass gatherings may still be prohibited, which includes not being able to attend the weekly mass. But, this should not stop us from reaching out to our Lord to seek refuge and comfort.

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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.

By email: [email protected]

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