The way I see it, we can categorise how people are dealing with the pandemic to three: Silver-Lining Finders, Doomsday Preppers, and the Casualties.
First, we have the Silver Lining-Finders. These are people who, as the name suggests, found a way to make something good out of being locked indoors. Being a middle class Filipino, I saw people in my timeline taking this time to discover more about themselves. There are those who became TikTok superstars, couch potatoes, and plantitas[i].
The TikTok invasion got so intense that out of the 1.9 billion devices with this app in it—56% of it was downloaded just in 2020. That is 1.06 billion downloads gained by TikTok just this year alone! To put it to perspective, it’s almost the size of India’s total population which is 1.38 billion.
On the other hand, Netflix reported that it gained 15.77 million new paid subscribers globally. Just basing on the new subscribers that Netflix acquired, the streaming giant’s total earning per month amounts to AUD 210,214,100.
Then, we have those who hoards which we will call the Doomsday Preppers. When countries started announcing the lock down restrictions, we saw a drastic drop of stocks on shelves for necessity products such as rice, pasta, canned goods, and well… here in Australia, toilet papers.
This meant that supermarket giants experienced a huge spike in their sales—a 24.1% increase to be exact. While people spent less eating out, they turned to supermarkets and spent AUD 2.8 million more in supermarkets.
Suddenly, we see more MasterChef wannabes with their sourdough and salmon baked goodness. I’m all for it! But then there are those who selfishly fought just to get a pack of toilet paper rolls. I get it, you just had to use toilet papers—you do you, boo—but fight someone because of it? Isn’t that going too far?
Lastly, as with any dreadful situation, we have the Casualties. As of today, July 10, 2020, there have been 12,015,193 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 549,247 deaths, reported to WHO.
Imagine how many families were abandoned because of this pandemic? Not to mention everyone who lost their jobs due to the impact on the economy, or those who are victims of domestic violence and are trapped with their abusers—now more than ever—due to lock down restrictions.
Suffice to say, this pandemic affects us all differently. This virus has somehow brought out the best and worst in us.
I started out as a common Silver Lining-Finder. My only real struggle then was getting over my guilt for being in Australia while my family’s stuck in the Philippines. Even then, I was already angry at all the chaos that the virus caused.
At first, whenever someone dies because of the virus, they do a bit of a tribute for that person in the news—then as the numbers continue to rise, they just became part of the statistics. I can’t help being angry when I hear governments still looking after their interests, despite the hundreds and thousands of people suffering in the hospital, and families begging God to heal their loved ones.
So, when my dear Tito Leonard died because of the virus—I was just stunned and furious at… I don’t know; all I know is he did not deserve to die that way. But the virus didn’t care that he was such a loving and caring man. It did not care that he worked hard overseas and endured being away from his family for years, just to see his two sons graduate from college.
He looked after me as if I was his own. He’s the Tito who calls you out of nowhere because he sensed you’re upset because of your posts. He pays attention to the people around him—he cares, a lot.
But it didn’t matter. Our Tito Leonard is gone because of that virus.
COVID-19 affects us all in a way that cannot be protected by masks. It finds a way to creep in our system and attack us in a personal way. It got my family pretty good.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director General said in a BBC article, "This is the greatest test for international co-operation in more than 75 years. If one country fails, then we all fail. We must find solutions that help all segments of our global society, particularly those that are most vulnerable or least able to help themselves."
It’s actually quite fascinating to look at this pandemic from this perspective—a ‘test for international co-operation.’ It made a lot of sense. We cannot fully “get out” of this situation if one person is still infected.
It then now begs the question: “What can I do to weigh in and help?”
Well, aside from practising social distancing, following the restrictions, wearing a mask, and being hygienic; Why don’t you start by detaching yourself from your beliefs that separate you from others? This is not the time for us to be divided because of political beliefs[ii] or past grievances.
Use your time, talent, and treasures to bring out more good in this world. You don’t have to run a donation campaign, if that’s too overwhelming. By simply supporting a friend’s business (especially those you know that are struggling), sending encouraging messages to your peers, or avoiding getting into an argument with someone in a random comment section—you are already helping out.
A more concrete example can be this are: first, buy from your peers instead of spending it all on clothes. You can’t go out anyway so why bother looking gorgeous, right. Take time to write a good review too, that will surely help.
Second, perhaps next time you post a kickass TikTok cover, you can try to incorporate your friend’s business in your content[iii]--*ehem Chef Ray Paluto for homemade meals prepped by Chef Ray himself, Hot’ataw for homemade chilli garlic, Sweet Treats by LAB for desserts, Bookverse Online Shop for pre-loved books* wow, that was a long cough[iv]--that’s some helpful use of your talent.
Or maybe next time you drop by the grocery store, instead of hoarding supplies—why not give out your extra stocks to people who need it most? But please don’t make a big fuss about it. Give not to be praised. Remember, corrupt motivations will not get you good points[v].
Let’s not allow this pandemic to turn us into virus, a microscopic living thing that does not care for another human’s life. We ultimately want the same thing—safety for ourselves and our loved ones. If we agree on that, isn’t it supposed to be easier for us to unite and work together in achieving our goal?
***
[i] A Filipino slang derived from the words “Plant” and “Tita.” While the direct translation of Tita is “Aunt,” it is used in this context to describe a young woman, usually a millennial, doing things that usually Aunts do.
[ii] Make no mistake in thinking that what I’m suggesting is for you not to voice out your opinion. You should keep making your voice heard, especially on important matters. What I’m suggesting is for you to communicate with a goal of understanding, not to prove you’re right and the other person is dumb for not agreeing. That has always been wrong anyway. [iii] Send me a message or email for anything you’re looking for, I’m sure I can hook you up with someone! [iv] No, I’m not sick. Chill.
[v] If you haven’t watch The Good Place, please do yourself a favour and watch it. Let me know what you think!