The Great Pandemic Escape from Our Social Lives

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

Your FaceBook request to share our thoughts with you Veronica, made me think long and hard about how I feel, what I think, and how I am coping with this life changing world health situation that continues to affect our very existence as human beings on this planet.

First off, luckily at the time of this writing, I have been managing my real estate business as I normally would, going to work after handing off my grandson to his “Metu”, the Laos equivalent of our Filipino “Lola” or grandma, but in my case, it’s “Lala”. Nang Sonsamouth, Svienna’s (my daughter-in-law) aunt, has made it a point to come help with Kenzo ever since Svienna moved here from Palm Springs, California last February this year. After our business trip to Germany in the same month, Nang has been coming to the house five times a week, a positive, happy force that makes Kenzo smile whenever she enters the back door at 9 am everyday, Monday to Friday. Without her help,I may not be able to continue with my work schedule.

Secondly, at the end of February, the corona virus has started spreading rapidly. It first appeared in Wuhan, China. then in Europe via Italy, and moved on to other parts of the globe, including the Philippines. I was also scheduled to travel to Manila In March, but by the time we were supposed to leave, the unstoppable spread of this life threatening virus has forced President Duterte to close local borders and enact curfews across Metro Manila. My brothers and I could not risk a lockdown overseas and so we abandoned our plans of flying to Asia via Los Angeles, which by then, had also reported their first case of corona virus.

Finally, here we are, almost to the end of March with no relief in sight from this blight that our ever sensitive President has called a “Chinese virus”. Politics aside, I am more focused on what has been happening in our household. Just trying to keep up with the news, and trying to keep everyone safe, has been pretty challenging. With the gray skies of a lingering winter, albeit a lighter one by historical standards, the daily updates on social distancing to hopefully slow the progression of this deadly outbreak is also wearing me out, and so I seek solace in playing with Kenzo. His unbridled joy at discovering new toys and his ever growing agility as an active one year old has resulted in bursts of delightful squeals that only a toddler can muster. His laughter is infectious, and definitely a more welcome infection than the one we are all currently saddled with. When playing, he lets out a high pitched sound of glee and happiness, in his baby perfect universe of lullabies, Sesame Street and unlimited love and affection from his doting grannies.

In between caring for Kenzo are the supply runs. We are more worried about Kenzo’s milk supply than toilet paper, to be honest. What Asian does not know how to wash their bum with only soap, water and a washcloth? Thanks to our culture, we are not as worried as our fellow Americans who go and seek out the literal paper trail from grocery store shelves and online warehouses. I actually bought another refrigerator which was delivered today, and which now holds Kenzo’s organic milk, fresh orange juice and lemonade, three dozen eggs, frozen pork, beef and chicken, tortillas, cheeses, frozen pizzas and vegetables, kale, apples, grapes, strawberries, avocados, bacon, etc. From the healthy foods to the gout magnets, we have them all stacked neatly and available for the next thirty days. As for the toilet paper, we hope that by the time our supply runs out, the light at the end of this virus tunnel would have appeared, and some semblance of normalcy would have arrived to the store shelves this coming April, just like the current administration hopes it would.

Stocks have continued to tumble, talk of a recession has now become more audible as massive layoffs continue across all industries. Because of all the negative domino effect, I only turn on the news when I have put Kenzo to bed, when I am all worn out from the day’s chores and activities and can only muster approximately ten minutes to watch TV before I pass out for the night. With social distancing, I can say I am not as concerned because I have always worked independently as a Real Estate Broker, and my duties with Viatimes and Chicago Philippine Reports TV as the anchorperson and staff writer do not really require my physical presence except when I record my segment once a month, or when I host certain parties and functions with the same frequency. For now, we have been told to stay home to flatten the curve of the spread of the virus, and if that is the solution, then we should all cooperate and do as the Center for Disease Control says.

In the meantime, prayers, positive thoughts, and keeping our sanity in check will help us get through this, and as one thinks about life in general, let us all remember that “this too shall pass”. We are all in this together folks, and our faith and love for one another. along with hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing, will hopefully make humans triumph over this amazing challenge to our very existence. IN GOD WE TRUST!