"The only constant in life is change." – Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher who said adage has reminded us on how life should be perceived. The 'Heraclitean flux' or 'change' is on equal footing with death, as they are constant and inevitable.
We are still fettered by the pandemic called Covid-19 that was originated in Wuhan, China, a fatal virus which mainly targets the respiratory system. It has risen exponentially and spread across the globe. As a result, it has sent ripples of anxiety, fear, hopelessness, economic downfall, and unemployment. On a daily basis, our eyes are fixated on the Covid statistics, as if we are waiting for the final result of a National election. To date, we have almost 37, 000 of Covid cases in the country. Its toll will continue to skyrocket as there is no vaccine yet for such virus.
As early as mid of March of this year, the President has declared a total lockdown, disallowing the air, sea, and land travel to and from Manila. From community to general to enhanced to modified enhanced quarantine, the world that we live in became steep, and the air that we breathe continued to suffocate us. There is a time for everything, from buying necessities down to travel procedures. Police and barangay officials roamed around the vicinity to check if the minimum health and security standards are met.
Such scenario leads us back to the Heraclitean philosophy, that one can never step in the same river twice. What does that mean in our current scenario? It means that the same world that we live in today, may be different tomorrow.
The pandemic changed the routine that we are accustomed to, like, for example, wearing face masks and observing social distancing. The streets, churches and other tourist destinations and establishments that were usually swarmed by people have now become like a ghost town.
The usual class that requires physical interaction between teachers and students has now become a virtual session. The usual work that some are used to have transitioned to a work not related to their previous. Why? Because we are bound to live no matter what.
Our characters have also changed as we approach the 'new normal'. Other people take advantage of the pandemic; transport vehicle drivers clamour for permission to operate; people without stable income beg for support from the government and charitable institutions; OFW's request to be repatriated; and others (security, logistics, medical, etc.) gamble with their life to deliver social and medical services.
We are all in this together, regardless of age, gender, or race. Anyone can be part of the change. There is no time to blame the government's negligence, because we, as Filipinos, are resilient in nature. How many crises and bad weathers have we faced and won? Let us fall back again to our battle cry, "Virus ka lang; Pilipino kami!”
Now is not the time to let our hopes wither. Now is not the time to surrender. Now is not the time to think only of personal gains. We should all live so that others may live, too.
This is the new normal; the new norm that must be practiced! It must then be understood that this 'change' is just a minor tweak in our normal life, nothing has changed at all, except the fact that we need to protect ourselves at all costs.
Thus, the only way by which we can triumph over this virus is that CHANGE MUST BE IN ORDER! The new normal will become normal if we constantly adhere to the required medical and security protocols. And let us not forget to help others and pray for others, though how skimp or abundant the things we offer to them.