I don’t understand why some people refuse to wear a mask in this terrible time of the pandemic. Whatever their reasons are, not wearing a mask can kill. If you don’t want blood on your hands, wear a mask.
The rising number of deaths in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world is real. Initially, I was feeling ok when the pandemic began, I even felt a little privileged that I don’t live in a crowded area, that somehow that alone can help save both of us- my daughter and I. The first month of lockdowns and community quarantine saw us complying, a little apprehensive, but generally hoping it will all be over soon.
Months in quarantine go by and now we can feel the restrictions weighing down on all of us. Complacency turned into fear and uncertainty. People are dying all over the world.
With that in mind, I was simply dumbfounded to learn that some people would even go out of their way and preach the impracticality of masks and how masks restrict their “freedom”.
How entitled and how selfish can those persons get at a time like this?
Here in the Philippines, the recoveries are much slower than those of its Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand and Taiwan, who reportedly announced freedom from further infections of the virus.
Coping with Community Quarantine
I’m doing my best, together with people who are sensible enough to wear a mask to protect themselves and others. The mask is always on, hygiene and handwashing always observed, and I only go out to get essentials. Everything else I needed, I ordered it online. I adhere to the restrictions of community quarantine.
To keep my mental health in good shape, I try to hold on to positive thoughts. I keep myself busy learning new things. I read books I meant to read a long time ago, cook new recipes, make my own bread, and even take up house plants as a new hobby. Because of these, community quarantine became an experience of introspection of everything that matters most, and a revelation that there is more to life than the constant pursuit of money.
It seems ironic that while the people are suffering, the natural world is healing – water forms cleared, the skies purged air pollution due to lesser carbon emissions from vehicles, nature flourished, undisturbed by humans who were now quarantined at home.
Grim Reality of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hobbies and distractions may make you happy for a while, but they do not negate the grim reality of the pandemic.
The invisible monster might be lurking in the very air you breathe, and you’ll never know its presence unless symptoms of infection show and by then you would have infected others in the amount of time it takes for the virus to fully take over your unsuspecting body.
Social distancing and mindful awareness of everything you touch helps. By this, I mean meticulous handwashing helps, and so does wearing protective equipment. We are fighting an invisible enemy the best way we can.
Some of us even hold the line working as front liners in the medical field, battling the virus day and night, caring for the sick, risking their own lives. In the same way, non-medical personnel who deal with public safety, as well as those who are vital to delivering our essential needs, also put their lives on the line.
We’re doing our best. You’re doing your best. I’m doing my best.
Until one of you decides to breathe for yourself and not wear a mask because you want your so-called freedom, thus unknowingly infecting countless others. People die. Who knows if you have a hand in it? No one. You may not care if you unknowingly might have killed someone. You’re completely blinded with your notion of freedom and self-entitlement that you didn’t see the blood on your hands.
To those who chose not to wear masks, please reconsider. I understand all you care about is your so-called freedom. I understand you do not care at all for anything other than your desire to go back to your normal life. To each his own, you say.
Unless you’re the one on the sick bed fighting for your life.
By then you might wish somebody cared enough to wear the inconvenience of a mask,
cared enough to stay at home,
cared enough to practice social distancing
and cared enough to consciously maintain meticulous hygiene so that he and others like you – may live.
