Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Coronavirus: Here's how they are coping in uncertain times


As the COVID-19 continues to spread, the public has been taking to social media to express concern over the disease and precautions they're taking to protect themselves.

Extreme times call for extreme measures. We thank our leaders and frontliners for saving the community. 

VRS asked some of our friends how they are coping/dealing with the situation.

Maria Fe Evasco:  Following authorities
"I deal with the covid situation by following what our local government has strictly enforced and of course, pray, pray and pray."

Fiel Angeli Gabin: Watching Netflix
"My coping mechanisms? Listening to music, watching “Modern Family” on Netflix while folding clothes, and praying the rosary with the Jerome, Cielo, REnji, and Mama Wincie. We are now on our 7th day of novena for protection against COVID-19."

Andrew Baker: Being obedient
"In our country, medical experts and politicians ordered us to stay at home for our safety and to follow the precautionary measures to be always clean and healthy hence, the quarantine. Our duty as citizens of this country and an individual of the world is to simply follow the directions given by us, hope for the best, and pray. Even at home, we can do something, like spreading documented and legit  information about the current situation online.The doctors, nurses, peace officers, humanitarian aiders and other medical experts did their part as citizens with roles just to eliminate this virus. Likewise, we can be our own defintion of hero by simply being an obedient, positive and disciplined citizens in this country, in the world."

Dennissa Lorelle Owen: Keeping family updated
"I believe that it's time for us to be one and to keep our faith to God as He is the answer of everything. As a citizen, I am trying my very best to follow the rules of the government because I know my simple obedience will make a difference if practiced with love and willingness. I also encourage my mutuals to be responsible in everything that they click because there are many false news circulating in the media which causes panic and horror to almost the majority.
I have used this time to cope up with the stress I had and to connect to my family. I am catching up with the household chores in order to help my parents. I am taking the rest that I think I deserve too. I know that this pandemic is causing everyone to panic and it can be upsetting but let us not forget that we are in this together and God is more powerful."

Engr. Aprilmel Lupot: Staying can be fun
"Unfortunately, we had to shut down our construction site but the Project Management Team had been working from home for the past 11 days. It’s been very challenging to fight the boredom of being isolated from everyone, especially from my family. But thanks to technology, there’s always a way to communicate to everyone. Like any normal day, I do grocery when needed, do laundry and cook for myself. On workdays, I just sit with my laptop and keep the news on the background. I try to move around as much as I can. Otherwise, I find myself doing funny things I never thought I would do—like talking to ants, separating the contents of a Dingdong Mixed Nuts and counting all 54 holes in one Skyflakes cracker!Kidding aside, I have been very obedient by STAYING HOME. It's the least I can do to help flatten the curve."

Jerome Magallen, Ph.D.: Family bonding
"Our ways of coping the situation primarily includes  the following: Always take time to pray that God will help us overcome the crisis; we will pay attention on the preventive measures  and focus on the things that we can control to avoid the virus; physical and mental well-being like making sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods and supplements to boost the immune system. As much as possible, we avoid news/articles in the social media that increase our stress and anxiety; pre -occupied ourselves  cooperating with household chores like gardening and cleaning for us to be more productive even in the quarantine period; and make use of the time for family bonding."

Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado: Helping others
"While on home quarantine, I've been observing the proper handwashing and teach the kids and other members of our household to do the same, use of 70% alcohol, taking of Vitamin C and wearing of mask if necessary have been practiced. Now, since a lot of frontliners are risking their lives doing their job, in our own little way we also prepared and provided them with alcohol, mask, Vitamin C and other food supplies. This has been one of the most difficult times, we can only hope for the best and pray that this too shall pass anytime soon.  Salute to all our frontliners!  May everyone be safe and healthy for the rest of the coming days."

Police Corporal Aldrin "PNP Beatbox King"  Palaca: Washing my hands often
"Being one of the frontliners, we are vulnerable to infection not only of Covid-19 but other viruses that we might get during our deployment on field manning checkpoint operations. Before going back to our home, I sanitize my uniform specially my shoes  to ensure the non-spreading of Covid-19 including other viruses that our uniform may have picked up. I am washing my hands often."

Leah Tirol-Magno: Trusting G-d
" I face this situation with a trusting heart that all this is part of a God's greater plan. While staying home most of the time, I am spending it more in baking for others."

Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan: Safety protocols
"Being a doctor, I have no choice but to go out and see patients despite the enhanced community quarantine protocols. I just follow proper hygiene and safety protocols.Whenever I'm home, I keep myself busy doing household chores,doing my favorite pastime, and last but not the least, I pray. It's the greatest weapon to end this dreaded disease."

Ate Vi Yorong: Social distancing
"At the office I make sure that social distancing is strictly followed as well as the "no face mask no entry policy." At home I strictly impose home quarantine to my nieces staying with me especially that we are taking care of my 81-year-old father who had a stroke in 2018. I beg for consideration on the "no back ride policy" because I work together with my niece who drives her motorcycle. Sadly, because of the "no back ride policy" we just commute. I just thank the multicab drivers that despite the implementation of the social distancing, they are there for the public."

Atty. Dave Maulas: Self-introspection
"The last time I was in a confined environment was when I was on my 6-month review for the bar exam. It took a toll on my psyche, brought about by the stress expected during the grueling review. It took a toll on my finances, as I was jobless during such time. This COVID-19 situation overwhelms in comparison, especially under the present circumstance where I have people who rely from me for support. The confinement, not voluntary; income-generating activities, restricted; dealing with unseen enemy, way more stressful. But I'm dealing this situation with a similar mindset, that is to  emerge as a better version of myself after all of this. Perhaps a better lawyer given the time to read more, perhaps a better family-man given the time to be with the family more, perhaps a more-skilled individual (dancer, singer, gardener) given the spare time to learn new skills, or simply perhaps a better person. Like on a cocoon, emerging thereafter as butterfly."

Elvie Bongosia: Sleeping galore
"Sleeping galore, reading inspirational books and movie marathon!"

 ***

This inspirational "letter" from reader Anne Mustasa (address not given) she culled from the internet.

Dear PANDEMIC

You’re back. But this time it’s different.

You came in 1918 as the Spanish Flu, infected one-third of us and killed over 50 million of us. Then you vanished as fast as you came.

You returned in 1957 as the Asian Flu and killed 2 million of us. Then you were gone.

You appeared again in 2009 as H1N1 - the Swine Flu. You infected a quarter of us and 200,000 of us died - less than the deaths each year from the common flu.

And here you are again today.

Each time we call you a Pandemic.
Each time we panic.
Each time you kill far less of us, and yet we panic far more.

Because you are NOT a pandemic of DEATH or even DISEASE. You are a pandemic of FEAR.

In December of 2019, that fear showed up in our media, in our stock markets, and in our, every day lives....that same big fright you've given us today.

But you’ve been here several times and this time, we see you for who you really are:

A GLOBAL GHOST of our WORRIES, ANXIETIES and deepest FEARS.

And as with any ghost, you can only grow if we feed you.
And if we don’t, YOU DISAPPEAR.

(John 10:10- "The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy...")

So this time,
instead of FEAR, we choose FREEDOM
“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” ~ Isaiah 43:1

Instead of PANIC, we chose PEACE.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Instead of LOSS, we chose LOVE.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." - I John 4:16

Thank you for VISITING.
We appreciate the REMINDER.
YOU CAN GO NOW.

** To turn VIRAL FRIGHT to VIRAL FIGHT:
1 - PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY!!!
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)

WASH YOUR HANDS
(Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

3 - CALM YOUR MIND
(John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.)

4 - PASS THIS MESSAGE ON
(Mark 16:15 - And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.)

* * *

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

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