The 2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic changed many facets of how the world operates. From lockdowns to the so-called “new normal”, the pandemic has left permanent changes that are already causing strife, economic decline, and poverty. There are small, short-term positive gains for the environment and some people. It is sad to know that 2.2 million have already died, and as countries grapple this death count is sure to continue increasing. COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to everyone unless you are in isolated areas or in countries that fought off the pandemic.
I
believe that humanity can move forward and maximize the situation to improve
society. I’m not saying COVID-19 is a good thing, but it already happened, and
lest we use this situation to finally enact some long-due changes in how we
move, communicate, and do business. Here are some opinions in my mind about the
current COVID-19 situation:
Permanent
Changes: Telecommuting Must be Part of “New Normal”
I
sincerely believe that telecommuting – the formal term for “work-from-home
arrangements” should continue for a good number of workers even if the pandemic
ends. Of course I’m referring to those who can do partial telecommuting –
workers whose nature of work requires only a solid PC (companies should
provide) and good internet connection. (Obviously, telecommuting is not viable
for manufacturing and similar sectors.)
What
are the benefits? Traffic improves. Less carbon footprint is emitted (especially
from managers who are stereotyped as SUV/gas guzzler users). Metro Manila could
use a breather. Its horrendous traffic is a vicious cycle that won’t stop until
both government and private sectors agree that a combined approach of
increasing public transportation while controlling the surge of car sales is a
good solution. (This is another topic though.)
Sadly,
the Philippines is far from ready for mass telecommuting. Only select areas
with decent internet could afford a continuous work-from-home experience.
Reputable broadsheet Philippine Star reported that the Philippines has the
slowest broadband internet in Southeast Asia. Conservative offices also resist these changes as they prefer traditional work
cultures. Sometimes, prejudiced viewpoints on technology and millennial/Gen Z
workers play a role.
A
lot of things will have to be done to institute these changes.
Re-Opening of Laboratorie
 |
| Empty chairs in an empty student center of a university in the Philippines. |
This
is an unpopular opinion of mine. For many students in Metro Manila, their
“normal” student life suddenly ended on March 10, 2020 when Community
Quarantine was imposed. This is different from the Enhanced Community
Quarantine or ECQ which started on March 15. In this quarantine, everything
remained normal except for schools, which were suspended. It was like the
prelude to the infamous “ECQ” lockdown.
Here
in Metro Manila, General Community Quarantine is almost the same as the
original “community quarantine” of March 10-15, except for some capacity
restrictions in public transportation. While the ECQ did prevent our hospitals
from being overwhelmed, it unfortunately tanked our economy. Online classes are not as conducive as physical classes, especially for students with limited
access to the internet!
I
certainly believe that if the government allows dangerous indoor dining in
restaurants and malls (even food courts, imagine a petri dish of viruses!),
then they should also allow limited face to face classes in university
laboratories! This will be complicated though, but for universities with
dormitories (e.g. UP Diliman) arrangements could be made.
I
think the government will not prioritize this because the education sector is
not only underprioritized but also because allowing laboratory classes won’t
make much of an economic impact (i.e. GDP). But for canteens, ambulant vendors,
and other businesses near universities, any influx of people could revive their
businesses. I am hoping the government considers this.
On
another aspect, I think libraries (do many places have them though?) should be
allowed to reopen. Unlike indoor food courts, libraries are places where people
are forbidden to talk, eat, and drink (no mask removal needed, and fewer droplets exhaled due to these prohibitions).
End of the World? Nah
“Beginning of Sorrows” is better
I
find it funny that some religious sects tout this pandemic as a sign of the end
of the world. Sometimes they ignore that openly secular, non-religious
countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and New Zealand survived the pandemic
unscathed. While crises like this pandemic is a sign of the “end times”,
Christians generally believe that strife, wars, and crises are simply the
“beginning of sorrows” (c.f. Matthew 24:8 KJV)
Sadly,
misplaced faith is driving the spread of COVID-19 in some places. People openly
defy safety protocols because of their misplaced belief that their god will
protect them. They are doing things that are tantamount to testing god.
**
Just a final reminder, always follow the
safety protocols. Let’s hope for the best this 2021!
