BERNA ROMULOPUYAT

Lifestyle Asia Cover Personality (February 2020)

No one is exempt from the effects of the coronavirus. We all have to do our part to make the quarantine work. One person, for better or worse, can change how things are going, and whether we beat this thing in a few months or prolong the crisis depends very much on the extent of our cooperation. The world has never before in our lifetime been united against a common foe, and countries are learning from each other. There is no handbook on how to deal Unless you absolutely have to go somewhere, please stay at home. For those who are not feeling well, stay at home. Our hospitals are overwhelmed, and I’m praying that we do not reach the level that the other countries are experiencing. Family is everything. Check up on your loved ones every day, show them that you care and make sure they cooperate with the set protocols.

To all our frontliners, health workers, and those who show up to work every day to keep our country running, thank you for your sacrifice. We deeply appreciate how your hard work enables the rest of us to stay safe. To the individuals who have stepped in to fill the gaps by providing PPE and meals to our overburdened health workers, it is your spirit of nationhood that keeps morale high. Small acts of kindness are appreciated and lead to big change. This pandemic has brought us challenges we have never imagined, but I believe we can push through.

This pandemic taught me how to be more patient and to listen and understand the views of other people. It taught me to let go of things that I can’t control and to focus on what I can (assisting stranded tourists, looking for rooms for our frontliners, social distancing, and working from home).