Cemetery closures: Not of dates but of attitudes

The COVID-hounded government has ordered the closure of all cemeteries nationwide from October 29 to November 4. This is to prevent the massive transmission of the coronavirus with the anticipated deluge of people in these burial sites come November 1 and 2, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, respectively, the traditional dates for Filipinos to visit their dead.

While we do not disagree with the closures, still the question begs to be asked: Has the government made provisions pertaining to health protocols for at least the couple of days prior to October 29, or maybe even right after November 4? The question is asked because in giving the closure order I’d not think the government understood perfectly what it was dealing with.

The problem here is not with dates but of attitudes. Filipinos, by nature, do not do things when they have plenty of time. They always wait for the 11th hour and then everybody, the whole nation, does everything all at once. Just because November 1 and 2 are the traditional times to visit the dead does not mean you cannot visit them outside these dates.

The fact of the matter is, cemeteries are virtually empty for the entire year except November 1 and 2. People could have taken some time anytime during the 363 days that make up the rest of the year outside All Souls Day and All Saints Day. But no, Filipinos just have to wait for D-Day, or Day for the Dead, and do it all together at the same time, probably all 110 million of them, including the babies.

I am not kidding about the babies. Babies are cute little bundles to show to departed parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. I can picture some baby, being bounced up and down and waltzed around in front of a grave, with the mother or father or whoever pointing a finger at the tomb saying "look baby, o, there is papa, or mama, or whoever," while adding cute unintelligible phrases. And dunno but baby talk is always in English in the Philippines.

This having to wait for November 1 and 2 could not be because people are too busy, or are far away, because a visit does not take long. Nobody stays for an hour talking to someone who no longer replies. Usually, one lights a candle, lays some flowers, mumbles some sweet nothings and then leaves. And there are 363 other days of the year to do that, even repeatedly if one is up to it.

But everybody just has to wait for the ultima ora. With that in mind, therefore, and with cemeteries closed from October 29 to November 4, I expect the Filipinos to make quick adjustments and descend on cemeteries on October 29 or November 4. And that brings me back to my question --- is the government prepared for November 1 and 2 conditions on October 29 and November 5?

I ask because I do not think the change in dates is going to change anything. If one has to deal with health protocols and crowds, one has to be real smart. Dealing with people is not the same as dealing with dates. One can move dates around. You can't as freely with people, especially if there are 110 million of them. Scheduling would have been better, whether by name, by barangay or whatever. But never everyone on just a different date.