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.