Halo halo at Fruit Salad Poetry and Prose

V. Quarantine Pa Rin

People in a Time of Crisis

Whenever we turn on the television to watch the news, we see a lot of things. We are informed of the government's activities, the people's good deeds and their horrible, disturbing acts, the economy's current status, and the weather conditions of the day and the days that will follow. Nowadays, it seems that the news has a one track mind. Day and night, the news is about one thing, one thing of great importance. That is the global pandemic we all know as COVID 19. Every bit of information is about and is related to this significant topic. From the latest updates, number of cases, deaths, and recoveries, the measures imposed by the government to combat the said disease, to the various effects of the situation to the daily lives of people. The news covers anything and everything COVID 19.

What's impressive about this trying time of COVID 19 is that it reveals so much about the nature of people. Journalists and reporters work for hours to give the latest news. The government is coming up with and implementing ways to overcome the spread of the virus. And the frontliners, which include doctors, nurses, maintenance personnel, and people involved with essential goods and services, do their part in the fight against COVID 19. The medical frontliners work round the clock to keep the virus at bay and treat those patients affected by it while risking their own lives as they are exposed to the virus protected only by face masks, face shields, and PPEs. The essential workers also play a big role. They sustain all of us through the goods they provide and are crucial when it comes to preventing the further spread of the virus for they are the ones who maintain the cleanliness of hospitals, supermarkets, and others. These acts of selflessness and devotion are really something to be admired.

The government placed NCR and the rest of Luzon and other parts of the country on Enhanced Community Quarantine to stop the spread of the virus. To think that everything will go well is a bit of a stretch. During Quarantine, there are people who still take advantage of the situation. Some sell face masks at ridiculous prices. Some disobey the rules imposed by the government for the safety of the people. Some use the money from the ayuda for cockfighting and gambling.

Although there are questionable acts done by people, there are a lot of good deeds people do to alleviate the misfortune. Volunteers help repack goods to be distributed to people, netizens donating gadgets for those students who are less fortunate, and others donate their money to the less privileged. In this time of huge struggles, these small acts of kindness are a big help to boost the morale of the frontliners, volunteers, the government, and everyone in general.

Times of crisis really show the nature of people. They can be disgustingly abusive and take advantage of the misfortune of others or they can be uplifting and kind to others around them which spreads hope, happiness, and inspiration in a time when we need these things the most.

  Nakakamiss

Nakakamiss ang mga jeep na puno pag pumapasada

Mga taong nagkukumpulan sa bangketa

Mga lakwatserong lalakad ng walang dahilan

Mga mukha na walang takip na anuman

Sa panahon ngayon, ang daming nagbago

Bahay ay nagging buong mundo

Pag aaral at trabaho dito ginagawa

Lalabas lang saglit ay pagiisipan pa

Nakakamiss lumabas kasama ang barkada

Gumising nang maaga para pumasok sa eskwela

Makipagkamay sa kakikilalang mga tao