 |
| Photo credit to the owner Edwin Hooper. Kindly visit his page |
The ability to cope with sadness, tragedies, and circumstances are among the many gifts God has given to mankind. The health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has been with us globally for the last two years has truly affected everyone be it physically, socially, psychologically, or economically.
In fact, even the superpower nations like the United States, European countries, and China were not spared from the effects of COVID and so, neither are the ordinary people. The International Labour Organization (ILO), identified that at least 81 million jobs were lost in 2020 in the Asia-Pacific Region. While a study from the Statistical Research Department (SRD) claimed that in the Philippines 64% of households surveyed said a member of their family lost a job due to the pandemic.
 |
Credit to the owner of the photo Anastasiia Chepinska Please check her site. |
With the current state of poverty in the country, the closing of national, city, and provincial borders during the first year of COVID-19 definitely hurt the economy, the people, and the businesses including the delivery of services in the rural and urban communities. The challenge to provide food, healthcare, employment, transportation, and safety has become very difficult. And two years into this crisis, still the health experts could not say how long the pandemic would survive our surface.
Thus, making it harder for people who have lost family members, employment, businesses, and to be physically separated from loveness including those who were tested positive to slowly recover. Although, admittedly, the chances of moving on these days are more possible as 115, 303, 412 doses were administered in the country. Of which 1, 035, 197 doses were given to Filipinos on January 11, 2022. However, with the ongoing surge of the Omicron variant, once again the attempt to push the economy once again has been halted.
The people have become more and more restless and desperate in finding ways to meet the requirements of every family, as well as, to reach out and to console others are way too challenging not to include the demand for food, house rental, utility bills, medical needs, and education were among the top considerations. Thus, an income for every household is crucial to sustaining the basic requirements to survive in this period of a pandemic. And this applies not only to ordinary people but also to the likes of comedian Pokwang, and singer/host Billy Crawford who had to consider moving on to other networks to provide for their families.
A report by The Borgen Project explained that in a country like the Philippines, the pandemic has brought so much fear as Filipinos by nature are a close-knit family and receptive community. Therefore, social isolation, general fear factor, and uncertainty have greatly impacted people's mental wellness.
Although the health authorities are still suggesting to remain at home and avoid person-to-person contact, I believe it is necessary for everyone to take this as an opportunity to adapt to the new normal, by starting to transition to online and social media. Though these platforms appear to be difficult, young and old must accommodate as this is the new way of living now, so as to stay connected without risking one's safety.
 |
| Credit to the owner of photo Onder Ortel. Please browse Ondeer Ortel page. |
Do something not for other people but for yourself. Start fighting your fears by reaching out to family members, relatives, colleagues, friends, or anyone you know that could be in need of assistance. There may be people who are reluctant to seek help. Utilize your cellular phones, private messages, video calls, even the landlines to get connected and communicate to people. Remember no one is an island.
Also, it helps to level up a bit more your personal relationship with the almighty. Whatever your religion is, it doesn't matter as long as you talk to Him. Offer your fears and troubles and request for His intervention in your life, relationship and situation because God always listens. Try it, ask Him to be with you as you face your troubles.☺