TODAY, March 15, 2021, is the first year anniversary of the lockdown due to the Covid-19 virus that still has the world on an edge.
Is it any better today? Well, I guess so since countries have re-opened industries or means of livelihood that were shut down a year ago. There are several vaccines out there that provide some relief but not totally as there are questions that surround them. I think people generally are trying to cope in the best way they can although not everything that is done is right. And certainly, whatever this government is doing isn’t enough.
The surge of infections and the lack of enforcement of safety protocols says a lot.
What is sure is this virus isn’t beaten and the uncertainty will go on until it is fully eradicated. When that happens is anyone’s guess.
When the lockdown started, it was frightening. I’m not saying it isn’t because every time I go out there I am afraid of contracting the virus. Given my poor health, I know I’d be really affected.
Back to a year ago, there was hoarding of face masks and alcohol and people were buying food like there was literally no tomorrow.
Alcohol is now readily available but I sincerely doubt the effectivity of what is manufactured. It doesn’t sting like it normally does. I think it is diluted as not as effective as they say.
I lost my day job mid-last year and while it hurt financially, on one hand, I am relieved not to be stressed out by what I feel was a bad situation and an environment that just wasn’t conducive to doing great work. Rather than mope, I went into Plan B which is to go back into teaching—online though—and ramp up my writing as well as doing communications work for a new client.
I have had four batches of my online journalism and writing classes (with over 70 students signing up), and am in my second semester of teaching for a college. I do four podcasts a week and am paid for three of them. Plus, I have been invited to teach in an international school for next year.
For the most part, I have rebounded well and have generally coped better.
However, in the past week or so—and almost a week before the one-year anniversary of the lockdown—I finally hit the wall. I got stressed out and didn’t feel like working at all. I felt burned out and distressed. My dog getting sick and being confined didn’t help one bit.
I don’t think it was due to being at home. I think that in the past couple of years, I have done a lot of work from home. I guess Ondoy and a fire that hit my home does that to you. You tend to stay home more. And I guess, it’s also due to age.
Yet, in this time, I have seen a lot of family, friends, classmates, work colleagues, acquaintances, and people I idolize succumb to the virus, natural causes, and depression. I have taken it well, but it has eaten me up inside. That’s because of all the death and malaise brought about by the pandemic.
Sports which I usually sink myself into… I have mostly avoided. Instead, I have turned more to music and watching films and series that are light, funny or informative.
Like many, I have found time to not only catch up on hobbies but reconnect with family and friends.
Fret not though. I think after that week of being in a deep funk, I have recovered now and am all right. I feel like I found my second wind.
On the other hand, this surge of infections, questions about the vaccine, political turmoil and serious questions about our leadership, as well as surging prices of basic necessities has me worried.
One year later, I am just happy to be alive and finding myself productive. I am thankful for the many blessings and have really done my best to give it back through my teaching and in my regular food runs for the poor and homeless.
I have done this ever since I began working but redoubled that in this pandemic with food runs for the poor at least twice a week).
All I ask if for the strength, wisdom and passion to get me through every single day because it is a grind more than ever.