AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: HEALING AS ONE
Today
more than ever, the world needs heroes who are willing to volunteer, offer
their service, and even sacrifice their lives for humanity. As the world faces
the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are locking their borders and
holding seas of people to home quarantine.
Left
at the forefront of this global war are the health workers and other service
providers. But even some of these heroes
had been knocked down by this disease. Everyone has been affected, and the
uncertainties as to when this catastrophe will end still linger.
There
had been accounts of widespread civil unrest, discrimination and harassment to
health workers, unemployment, and economic impediments as people continue to
live in fear. It is at these times that the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ and
volunteerism must prevail; that the sense of humanity still exists and thrives
among us. Yes, people of the world had been closing their doors in threat of
the virus, but we must take the courage to open our hearts for the needy.
Through
little acts of kindness, everyone can be a hero. From those volunteering for
relief operations, those skeletal workforces continuously rendering their
services despite the danger, those drivers of food delivery services and trucks
carrying loads of foods and other necessities, those hospital and laboratory
staff taking care of patients and conducting rigorous testing, the uniformed
personnel maintaining the peace and order, those national and local government
officials and personnel manning the day-to-day operations on the ground, those
media people delivering news updates, and those looking after for the street dwellers
and poorest of the poor, among others, thank you will never be enough. No word or recognition can match the bravery of those front-liners. And
yet, there are still some of us who ignored their request for us to stay at
home. Little we know that even the simplest acts of staying at home, following
protocols (do’s and don’ts), spreading good vibes and reliable information,
donating, and praying to make a difference, can save lives, and even riffle miracles
that the world needs in these trying times.
As
we faced this unseen enemy, let us reflect on how we lived our life today. Did
we do enough for others? Are we compassionate enough to those in need? Are we
becoming part of the solution?
Every
one of us can be the unsung heroes that the world needs today. It is time for
us to take a strong stand and leverage on education, science, and technology in
combating this COVID-19 and advocating a healthy lifestyle. Scientists are
working round the clock for the possible vaccine, while governments are making
efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Though we may not reclaim the lives
of those innocent victims, through acts of kindness, we can save more than we
could imagine. Let our actions speak service so we can all heal as one.
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