Staying safe and hope-filled
in this pandemic-marred Yuletide
(or: "A Christmas Message in a time of Pandemic")
Warm greetings.
As the Philippines and the rest of the world are experiencing unprecedented upheaval brought by the pandemic, every person, institution, felt how their plans becoming meaningless as to struggle to cope with not just the health implications of virus, but also to the necessary responses to it. Be it lockdowns, restricted movement, or even the rants of the president that instead created a negative ire by its constituents.
But despite this, and other recent events, means to alleviate from hardships foster solidarity amongst persons and communities. And to think that never in recent memory has any single event had such a far-reaching impact causing so much uncertainty, still, there's a duty to fight back, forge, and grow with words like "recovery" and "normalcy" getting mattered on. With or without a "blessing" from the government.
And now, in this season known for giving and for reality's sake, feasting, fears of a possible wave of pandemic resonate and keeps one worry about their health as well as those of others. There are no carols except those from the radio and in social media, while novena masses rather in limited number of parishoners or being videoed for those who can't attend. Authorities even advised to stay at home despite people thriving at malls for their yuletide stuff. Not surprising, for like past years, malls are abling to show some "yuletide spirit" even in this time of pandemic.
Perhaps, in this season and in the coming year this note would say that everything goes: that people, despite this pandemic will try to earn for a living, to see them in the streets despite numerous policies such as social distancing. The pandemic brought by COVID19 continues while people been waiting for a vaccine and various sorts of treatments to stop the spread and to recover others affected by this disease. Hope that despite numerous trials hope and solidarity be ever prevail, to regain comfort if not prosperity without self-seeking, and to forge further for a future that is to come.