My quarantine pictures with mask and face shield
Schools, private businesses, malls, companies, and even government offices had to stop their operations. There were travel restrictions, and public transportations weren’t allowed to operate either. People were instructed to stay at home to avoid getting infected or cause the virus to spread further.
The whole country seemed to have stopped all together during that time, and almost everyone were left in shock and some were in panic. Even before the quarantine began, some people had rushed to the supermarket to buy the necessities they needed at home. The noisy and busy streets of Metro Manila became quiet and other places looked like ghost towns due to the absence of people outside.
Hospitals provided separate wards for COVID positive patients and those with suspected cases. Health workers and other frontliners had to battle an enemy that they cannot see, and most of them had to extend their shifts in order to care for those in need of their services, while some had passed due to the aforementioned illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) had given everyone instructions on how to sanitize properly. Wearing of face masks and face shields became mandatory, and some even chose to wear gloves for additional protection. People carried their own bottle of ethyl alcohol for sanitation. Quarantine passes were also required in order to control and monitor the number of people going out of their houses. Children and senior citizens were strictly not allowed to go outside.
DOH also informed people on how to determine the symptoms and how to properly handle the situation in case of getting exposed or infected by the virus. Symptoms include sore throat, dry cough, loss of sense of smell and taste, and fever.
They advised that people who were showing symptoms of the infectious virus should report to their barangays or hospitals so they could be examined. Swab tests and rapid testing also became a requirement for those who were planning to travel or go back to their work.
Like everyone else, I’ve watched all of these events unfold in the news while I, myself, stayed at home. It’s almost unbearable to watch and listen to the news, as I could see the continuous increase of the number of COVID cases and death tolls in our country each day.
As a person who goes out to work and do errands, this pandemic affected me greatly like most people. I couldn’t go to work or anywhere I wanted to because there were no public transportation available and people weren’t allowed to stay outside unless necessary. I even had my own unforgettable experience to share.
In the early weeks after the imposed community quarantine, I had acquired a sore throat, but no signs of fever or dry cough. I still felt worried because I knew it was a symptom for COVID, so I went to our barangay to ask for advice.
Our barangay advised that since I live alone by myself, I should do self-quarantine for fourteen days. I followed their instructions and stayed at home until I finished the given quarantine period and I had recovered from my sore throat.
They sent me food and other necessities everyday. The health workers from our barangay would check up on me to monitor my condition.
I’ve made myself busy by doing house chores, updating my online work, binge watching my favorite TV series, and I talked to my family and friends via social media. I also made sure to take vitamins and eat healthy food, including fruits and vegetables.
After two weeks, my sore throat was gone and I didn’t show any other symptoms of the virus. Our barangay gave me a certificate indicating that I had finished my quarantine period and I was cleared. They also disinfected our whole house after. The experience felt unreal, but I’m glad that nothing serious happened to me.
Now, seven months have passed since the first imposed community quarantine, and people are slowly adjusting to the situation. Even I, myself, have accepted the new normal.
My quarantine b-day last August
But just like most people, I miss doing a lot of things that I normally do. I miss going out for walks at the park, doing my normal daily routine, and meeting my friends and family face to face. I miss attending church mass every sunday. I also miss my friends and the usual movie night out with them that I had scheduled every weekend. Birthday celebrations aren’t the same, because I had to celebrate mine alone this year, since social gatherings aren’t allowed. And lastly, I miss my Mom who lives in the province, and it saddens me that I can’t visit her because of the travel restrictions. For now, I work at home and stay at home most of the time.
The current situation made everyone realize a few important things, such as learning self-discipline and maintaining good health. People appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of health workers and frontliners, as their services are most needed right now.
There’s still a lot to thank for, even at trying times like this. Thanks to modern technology, businesses can operate and have their transactions made online. Students can still continue to learn thanks to internet connections. Thanks to food delivery services, people can order the food they want without stepping out of their houses. Most people get to stay at home and get to bond and relax with their family. And we are all updated about the current events thanks to social media and the news.
Some businesses have re-opened, schools have resumed via online classes, and people have found ways to make a living and adapt to the new normal.
With two months left before 2020 ends, everyone is hoping that a vaccine or any other cure for COVID would be successfully made before the end of the year.
For now, we all must continue to follow health protocols and be responsible, because each disciplined action is one step closer to winning the battle against the pandemic.
