4 o’clock habit
Prayers every 3 p.m. were part of a movement started years ago, which was propagated as a daily routine among Christians and which has gained decent following.
Now, Filipinos turn to every source of information every day at exactly 4 p.m. to find out through government reports the infection and death counts as the pandemic grows more frightening instead of receding over time.
The usual exchange among those observing the new daily routine is “How many are positive and dead?”
It is a grim reminder that all are susceptible and will have to follow the guidelines to stay alive. The irony is that the requirements are too simple: wash your hands, wear a mask and keep a safe distance of at least one meter from the next person.
President Rodrigo Duterte and members of the task force against the coronavirus disease 2019 have been crafting solutions for over a year to cushion the impact of the global plague. However, the debates always end up to the need for livelihood, which requires not only workers and businesses to be open, but for consumers to return to a semblance of normalcy.
The other side of the coin is keeping most people away from the virus by confining them to their residences.
Both choices are extreme contradictions and seeking a middle ground is a monumental task.
Decision making becomes harder still as the daily numbers are cranked up higher by a more contagious and potentially extra lethal strain of the virus.
Hospitals have started to fill up with Covid patients, most of whom have mild cases, but denying those with other ailments of health care.
The economy, within a year, had also sunk from one of the world’s brightest to having the deepest recession in the region as a result of the government’s priority for lives.
After one year of lockdowns, enterprises are crying to be allowed to return to near business-as-usual hoping that it will somehow entice people to go out and spend, which is a futile wish for now as a result of the uncertainties.
Only the most bold and adventurous will take a gamble on the current situation.
Ordinary Filipinos, however, need to survive through hard toil. Their strength of character is plainly seen in the proliferation of delivery businesses, which are the best sources of gainful employment.
Many are pinning their hopes on the arrival of the vaccines for the eventual new normal, but Filipinos must pitch in to ensure that the threat does not overwhelm the nation.
What is required of us is not much, which is to keep healthy by following the protocols and for the good-for-nothing detractors to shut up.
“Many are pinning their hopes on the arrival of the vaccines for the eventual new normal.
“Decision making becomes harder still as the daily numbers are cranked up higher by a more contagious and potentially extra lethal strain of the virus.