PROLONG AGONY

By: Peter Paul C. Cubay, EdD

How many of us have asked, how long will this misery end?
Amidst the pandemic, a lot us are in the troubled state asking when can we
go back to the old ways and start anew life with the same normalcy. Each day is a
struggle for everyone like a parasite trying to gnaw every bit of bone marrow in
human’s body.
Everyday records on number of confirmed cases, survivors and deaths
seem to be no ordinary than before. If we see people back the times in the onset
of the pandemic, we can truly implicate the apparent troublesome state in their
minds as if they are dragged to the edge of negativities. Now, people seem to
never pay a damn attention to what has been constantly relayed by the social
media. A look on the graphs and trends of COVID-19 cases never scratch
everyone’s head anymore.
Life must go on, and no matter how the threat blocks our way of living,
people have to surface the land with their unwavering will to survive. The virus
may have threatened us in many ways, but the danger ahead of us if we won’t
pace to living is crueler. Streets, malls, and public places are now swarmed by
secretly desperate people who wanted nothing but to save their famish stomach
and their struggling families. Who cares? Can we provide them with something to
eat if we keep them enclosed in a hollow room to prevent local transmission?
The rule is clear: We have to wear mask and shield everyday wherever we
may be plus the list of disinfection protocols, social distancing and temperature
check. But, are they enough to make us totally safe from infection?
Nothing is as safe as one hundred percent. Apparently, we can just
minimize the potential transmission if we strictly follow the mandated guidelines.
But, it sounds impractical to just stay safe at home and minimize our often-going-
out idea. If we are scared seeing the congestion before our very eyes, can this
scaring effect save us from the wrath of suffering just in case?
If we look at the scenarios of other nations, there have considerably been a
lot of them just opened their trades same as usual, resumed classes and business
establishments and eventually had their ports wide open like a father welcoming
his kids with a warm hug. How about Philippines? Why can’t we do it like some of
them? What is the point of difference? We are same humans, right?
True, Philippines has continued its operation to lift the economy from
prolong recession. However, the operation may likely be far different from the old
normal since there have been few restrictions to safeguard the health and life of
the people against the invisible enemy. Business and trades are more than partial
in terms of operations, tourism industry has started to embark transformation in
its services to guest and agriculture sector is taking more steps to larger
production.
As vaccines have worked to their end, we can see the slow rise of hope
beckoning us ahead. Senior citizens and comorbid patients have availed the so-
called savior of mankind, while the rest have waited for their turned.
It is illogical to keep comparing our country from others without
deliberately thinking of the factors applicable within the parameters of our
tolerable zone. Philippines will always be Philippines, no matter what. People in
authorities have calculated the risk if they venture to a crucial decision. I am
pretty sure none of them will unthinkably put people to extremely hard state. We
may not go away the idea that there some who are insensitive, but generally
officials are just fairly doing their end to save people.
There is nothing wrong with resuming the daily operations to business and
trades as long as strict compliance of the protocols are adhered. Not just only
operators have to implement such, but most likely the general public. There is no
need to race with violators who do not observe healthy protocols if all are doing
their fair share. Hoping that people would just religiously follow the standard
ways to keep everyone safe.
Thus, if we keep complaining how long this misery end, let us do self-
checking of what have we done to eradicate the dilemma we are all facing by
now. The old maxim, in unity, there is strength is timeless. If we keep babbling on
the failure of the enforcers to discipline erring people, we need sometimes to
pause for a while and check ourselves, have we done our part to alleviate the
anguish of our folks?
 The agony is too long for everyone that takes our patience everyday.
Without everyone’s contribution this could be even longer or longest. The answer
does not lie on the virus itself, but on the people. If we refuse the entry of the
virus to anyone, it does not have the power itself to penetrate human lives.
The struggle may be long and winding, but the answer is just simple, even
comprehensible to a less average mind. The higher authorities are devising
strategic measures and strategies to curb the exponential rise of COVID-19 cases,
yet the answer is just so crystal clear. People play a crucial part to stop the plague
from hovering its enigmatic destruction.
If we just choose the right one without affecting our daily lives and
routines, surely, we can go back to the life we used to have. If we don’t start it
right away, then when? Just when more lives are laid down to ruins?