Covid-19 Hits Close To Home

The residents of the entire Naga City Subdivision were surprised when local broadcast media news reports said that the entire subdivision has been placed under lock down when a resident was found positive of Covid-19, and has now been confined at BMC hospital. The victim allegedly resides just close to our residence at Sampaguita St. Prior to the lock down, most of the residents are just confined in their own residences. As a consequence of the lock down, nobody could either enter or leave the subdivision while police authorities are manning the main entrance of the streets. This writer and his family however are happy to note that concerned friends texted us offering help in the purchase of whatever we may need in the house. Indeed, it is at critical times like this when one realizes who your true and sincere friends are. It is a good thing that we have sufficient supplies of grocery items and food which will last until the end of April when the community quarantine and lock down is lifted and our normal life begins again. We are grateful to the City government that from the latest information we received, authorities are starting to disinfect the subdivision.

Before this lock down, I observed that there were some people roaming in our streets and cannot simply abide by the stay-at-home policy. Further analysis would tell us that they might be those who cannot afford to stay at home hungry, and so they risk going to the streets to find their food for the day. If one imagines having a family with six or more mouths to feed, we realize even the relief assistance from the LGU and National government would not be enough to sustain them. This is how the poor are coping with Covid-19.

As we write this column, it is now about one month and five days since we were placed under community quarantine and most of us are looking forward to our being “free” again. Our “house arrest” will soon be over and I am almost sure our malls in Naga City like the Robinsons, SM Naga, Metro Mall and the Vista Mall will be swarming with people. Until then let’s keep our senses and stay home.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“WHEN I WAS 20, I WANTED TO CHANGE THE WORLD; AT 30, I WANTED TO CHANGE MY COUNTRY; AT 60, I REALIZED I WANTED ONLY TO CHANGE MYSELF.” RAUL S. ROCO

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“THEREFORE, WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. INWARDLY, WE ARE BEING RENEWED EACH DAY.” 2 COR 4:16