The Pandemic and Home Economics
Josefina V. Lovidice
The sudden onset of the pandemic resulted in an economic slump in the country affected by labor immobility due to the prolonged Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). The effect was alarming, apart from the daily toll of people affected by the virus and those that succumbed to it, some found themselves unemployed or not allowed to work for their own safety. Famine had become a big scare; individuals, families, and communities tried to find the best solution to ward off scarcity.
We, Filipinos are trained to withstand any storm, think out of the box, and go back to the basics. Staying home 24/7 made an individual experiment and explored the value of what they did learn in Home Economics (HE) subjects; consumer education, food preparation, and preparation, hygiene and sanitation, clothing, entrepreneurship, household resources management. became handy. The skills acquired became a valuable tool to ensure a livable condition.
HE taught us life skills that are essential to survive and recover. Every household needs an effective budgeting scheme on how to use accessible resources and a solid plan to avert emotional, psychological or health stresses owing to the extended period of time the lockdown. Activities such as exercise, gardening, cooking/ baking, sharing the housework while ensuring adequate hygiene and sanitation at all times to prevent infection, particularly from COVID 19, helps bond the family stronger and ward off the feeling of anxiety among members of the family.
Suddenly people started using the online platforms like Facebook (FB) and Instagram (IG), others joined the online sales markets like Lazada and Shoppee and became entrepreneurs. Started marketing different types of products including food (cooked and raw), clothing, appliances, furniture, etc. to ensure that supply and demand are well supported despite the lockdown. Aside from that, it has also increased the financial stability of individuals / families / communities and given them a much needed sense of security
Granted or not, HE played a prominent role in these difficult times by strengthening self-reliance and productivity. This basic knowledge from our HE subject/course taught and conveyed to each of us how to deal with survival directly; these skills accumulated were really helpful not only during the pandemic, but also in our daily lives.
Reference:
Strengthen; not Remove. (2020). University of the Philippines Response to the Statement of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s Temporary Removal of Home Economics in Schools
Home Economics. https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/home-economics/274928
What is ECQ?. https://sikap.com.ph/ecq-guidelines/
--oOo-
The author is Teacher II at Iba National High School