Hoping for COVID-free mornings
Dennis Christian Hilanga in Ang Pinoy Stories
Aug 17, 2020 • 3 min Read
The aroma of instant coffee starts to awaken the sleepy spirit. The modulated voices of radio or television anchors in morning newscasts signal another day in history. You sip the hot brew and stare blankly while thinking how a brand-new day would fare.
Catching transport during rush hours is as typical as taking breakfasts. The armageddon that commuters suffer every day is ordinary as the scorching heat of summer. The terrible traffic in EDSA is as trivial as browsing social media. To live and survive, each must patiently keep pace with the world.
This was the normal most Filipinos endured every day. It was the less anxious yet hopeful mornings that kept us focused on aiming our varied goals. It was the mornings to look forward to that were not restrained to observe social and physical distancing, disinfect, and wear protective gear.
These were the COVID-19-free mornings we were used to dealing with. Making both ends meet was difficult for most of us, but at least we were mobile to do things freely.
That is until the pandemic struck. Life turned harsher. Uncertainties turn into more vague questions with even unsure answers. We fussed over what tomorrow would bring.
High fives with officemates turn into virtual greetings as many started working from their own homes. Commuting changes; walking or biking to work becomes the new norm. The workers’ crosses are heavier.
The health professionals’ sworn duty to save lives is stretched to its limit, constantly relying on the divine to save their patients and help flatten the curve. They spend sleepless nights in their uncomfortable protective armors to make sure that they win this war.
We wished Metro Manila to be noise, smog, and congestion-free. The pandemic granted the wish, but we pray for things to return to how it was before.
But what if this health crisis was meant to change us and our way of life?
We adapt to change; cleverly find alternative sources of income; value life deeper; become more aware of our health; follow the rules of survival; extend invisible ropes to everyone; and re-learned humanity — all to fight the unseen foe collectively.
The crisis was meant to weave connections between strangers as we become inspired by good samaritans and cape less superheroes who give food packs and essentials.
We are desperate to be living normal lives again, but it will not be the same. Still, we hope.
Hopefully, we can create a better tomorrow for the next generation. There may be solid policies and laws that will provide better health protection for every Filipino and medical workers. There may be opportunities for laid-off employees. Perhaps commuters will experience better mass transportation as plans and health protocols in a post-COVID19 era are implemented. There may be a development from all sides to allow hugs and embraces again. We may be able to prevail over this disaster so we can continue existing and fulfill our tasks and, yes, bucket lists.
We can’t wait for the next COVID-free mornings to arrive and have a sip of our favorite drinks with a friend or relative for company, under a rising sun, somewhere outside of the city, and talk about how the pandemic has strengthened us to live one day after another after another.
