Let’s do our part

When not preoccupied with regular tasks, we have more time exchanging thoughts over social media. But recently I noticed that the exchange of contrasting views and opinions is becoming toxic and irrelevant, especially when one is already closed from others’ views, and would readily die for what he believes in. All these would take us away from looking at what are basic and necessary for this trying time.

First, the recognition that we are in a health crisis. And since it’s a pandemic, the world needs a calculated, concerted effort by all of us. We have not experienced this before. Each has our own role to take part.

Second, it’s a wake-up call for all of us to take good care of our environment. It is breathing now and we can see that it is recuperating. And when we go back to normal, it is my fervent hope that good practices will still be observed so that it will continue her healing process. It may not really be something like now. Take for instance, that we can hardly see a single vehicle in the streets but at least minimizing the level of travel to such a point that nature can breathe. In so doing we can have more time with our loved ones at home.

Third, to be at home means more real time, immediate, and intimate interactions with our families on whom we anchor our love and support. We work, we have bad days, we expose ourselves to all the negativities outside but at the end of all these, we go home to be united with our loved ones who provide us genuine love and care.

Fourth, the crisis allows us more time for reflection, praying as one in unison to the Almighty God for protection, healing and the end of this pandemic.

More than ever this is the time to trust our institutions that are tasked to respond to the crisis. Some may have experienced inconveniences, there are loopholes along the implementation of the assistance program but in everything we do, there is a learning curve. We know for one that immediacy of the response is very critical, others may have low tolerance mainly owing to their economic vulnerability, which makes the assistance all the more immediate. But what I am very much appreciative of is that there are also individuals and non-government institutions that do their part, sans publicity. I am not saying that we just have to be blinded by blatant loopholes and just be subservient to power trippers, but after this let’s go back to our selfless intentions and initiatives to help and be of service to others.

Our history is replete with struggles and victories of freedom and identity. The world has witnessed and recognized how we rallied behind common goals. Our revolutions, both bloody or otherwise, have reaped freedom for us. But those had clear opponents. Our ancestors saw them. But now, we have invisible foes, even to our naked eyes.

Let’s stop expending our energies in the warzone of social media and use this as an avenue to spread relevant information, legitimate news, and lift each other up. In every sick person being taken care of and healed, let’s thank our medical personnel and the rest of our frontliners. And I know in my heart, God had a hand in it. Let’s do our part as well.