*Based on my personal experience and knowledge as an individual, a married couple, with our family and friends in our very own communities.
Yesterday, my closed friend married at their home in Pennsylvania (PA), we wanted to be there but due to the travel advisories and other factors related to COVID-19, we weren't able to go. She understood too, PA is one of the top states with most number of cases, they were told it is better to keep the number of their guests to 10 including them and the minister that will officiate their wedding.
An aunt's family visit here in Florida (on my husband side) is move to later this year, before or around Thanksgiving.
The family of our Pastor in Mississippi also planned a Florida (FL) trip this May and he and his wife are planning to visit us but it was also cancelled. Hopefully, after everything gets back to normal (or what others call the 'new normal') they can still visit us.
I'm sure people all around the world have similar experiences, cancelled plans, much awaited vacations etc. Of course, these are small things compared to a death of a person because of COVID-19, unemployment, hunger, inadequate assistance, and abused of power by the government and its officials during this trying times.
My husband's work is part of the essential workers category, he still go to work everyday. In our neighborhood, we are the only young couple our age, all of our neighbors (who are very sweet and kind to us) are retired and senior citizens. Because of this reason, we know that we have the responsibility to be extra careful and not interact with them if we are feeling any symptoms at all. Even without symptoms, I continuously remind my husband to take care of his health and keep his distance at work (if there is a co worker who is showing symptoms). Thank God, we are all in good health.
My family in the Philippines are in total lockdown, they can only go out if they need to buy food and medicine, only one person per household can go out. My mom's store in Cavite is closed for more than a month now. She and her family in Oriental Mindoro are in good condition but we are all worried because the lockdown was extended until May 15.
We understand the reason for this extension but sadly after the lockdown, people will be overwhelmed by the bills lined up, with no income for those who are no work, no pay and those who were required to close their small businesses like my mom.
We are more blessed than others. We try to help in our own little ways. Our heart ache to those who both fear dying either from the virus or hunger.
I support herd immunity especially in poor countries with more young population like India and the Philippines. I think the government can focus protecting the vulnerable: senior citizens, children, sick, disable, and anyone with weak immune system. They should allow people who want and need to get back to work, reminding them to be extra careful if they have someone at home who is part of the vulnerable population. Individual responsibility is very important and it is said to be flattening the COVID-19 curve in Sweden.
The main fear is that hospitals won't be able to handle the situation, even though 80% of cases are mild and most of them can stay at home until they get well.
I should be working now as a teaching aide/assistant in a nearby technical college if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.
This lockdown/stay-at-home/ECQ is no one's fault but China (Chinese Communist Party/Communist Party of China) and their lies.
China should pay a financial cost for its Coronavirus lies. China committed a crime against the world that resulted in economic hardships all over the world. China should be legally liable for the pandemic damage it has done. But how? How to make China pay?
As we pray that we remain safe and all our loved ones, we also pray for all the COVID-19 patients, medical workers, frontliners, and essential workers all over the world.
I hope all leaders all over the world can effectively handle their own local situations, copying other proven and effective strategies they can from other countries.
I wish that a vaccine will be available soon but if not, may the government find a way that everyone can survive too financially even if it means ending these different versions of lockdown/stay-at-home order/ECQ soon.
May all the government officials/leaders/public servants listen to the people they serve and not abuse the emergency powers given to them according to the law during these trying times.
May they execute the law fairly and not bend it to their own will.
