March 12, 2020 was the day when our President announced the lockdown that changed our lives. The lockdown was due to the increasing number of people who were being infected by the coronavirus. The virus has flu-like treatable symptoms; however, not everyone’s immune system reacts the same. The people who were most susceptible to this virus were the elderly. Even then, we know that the threat of this virus should not be taken lightly. I was not afraid of it, but the Bible does mention, “the prudent see danger and find refuge.” Staying indoors was also mandated by law to prevent further spreading.
When the virus started early this year, it was not a cause for alarm. It began in China when someone ate a bat (uggghhh disgusting, right?). At first, we thought that it would not be that contagious. Because, here in the Philippines, we DO NOT eat bats or any other super exotic things the Chinese consume. We take a bath every day, and we try our best to eat healthily. Although, when the virus spread throughout the world, and the death toll reached more than a thousand, it did become a cause for alarm. It even became more alarming when we had our first case here.
I believe it was very prudent of our President to declare a national emergency and a lockdown. The cases rose every day at a breakneck pace. The number of cases grew exponentially over the next few weeks. The report of many deaths was also alarming. We all prayed that both the new cases and deaths would slow down due to the lockdown. As good and responsible citizens, my family and I remained quarantined in our homes. I firmly believed that this was for our safety.
The first few days of the Enhanced Community Quarantine were very stressful and frustrating. People were panic buying everywhere. I could not buy my prescribed medicine in the drug store. The sad part was most of the people hoarded for their economic advantage and not to help their loved ones. As stocks in supermarkets and drugstores dwindled, those hoarders tried to sell sanitizers, alcohol, tissue papers and other medical supplies online at a very high price. I seriously do not understand why people are so obsessed with money at a time like this. Have they ever thought that when the situation worsens, and civilization collapses, their money would not be worth anything? That is why it is always best to be the helping hand instead of being the money-making hindrance.
Despite all the uncertainty, my family and I prepared. The supplies that we bought was good for 2-3 months. I also started a work-from-home setup. It took some time to adjust and figure how to do so, but so far, I am doing just fine.
Amid all these fears and trials, I believe this lockdown was also a gift. It gave me time to reflect and pray more. I have not been spending much time with my family lately. The busy schedule that I had because of work, school, and church prevented me from prioritizing family time. I am the type of person who was always on the go, and I loved being productive. I think the quarantine is God’s way of answering my mom’s prayer for us to be together as a family.
It has now been three months since that fateful day. I continue to be productive at home. I do my office work but, at the same time, help out with household chores. I strive to be a blessing to my parents.
If any of you who are reading this remain quarantined, make your time useful. Spend these days with your family because you’ll never know what can happen in the future.
Matthew Baluran is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of his blog, a requirement for the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Ethics and CSR. Visit his blog at https://mbaluranpov.blogspot.com.
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.