A young environmental advocate writes about her personal quarantine experience, what we can do with the extra time, and how to help others cope.
This year really is all about surprises, no? Surely each experience may be different for everyone but can we all agree that this Coronavirus outbreak was just outright one of the—if not the most—unexpected and c-r-a-z-y ones? It’s like the world literally has stopped before our very eyes, as all operations have, even school (*if applicable to your uni). Whether you like it or not, it’s all going down in history.
Daily life before this may have taken a hiatus, but our minds never stop turning. I guess being awake in the early morning right now has given me a lot more space to realize a couple of things from the lockdown-slash-ECQ season.
1. “Maximize what you have”
I kind of feel bad for our internet router right now. It’s on almost 24/7, just mainly for social media surfing and Netflix streaming. I guess I’m fortunate to have a lot of free time on my hands until school resumes online, and to have a mostly stable internet connection. It was fun because I got to relax and unwind in the middle of the semester. But then, this isn’t all there is to it, is it? I knew that there are tons of opportunities out there in the WWW, including apps for any kind of learning, like language and instrument playing, dance tutorials, online courses with certification, documentaries, online workshops and talks, streamings made free for the public, and even cooking videos that I can follow. That made me grab my old Mandarin materials and my good ol’ guitar that was already collecting dust. Just recently, I got myself enrolled in another university’s online course. I was also able to learn the choreos of my favorite songs and stream a local musical play. Thanks to those cooking videos, I was able to (kind of) hone my skills, if there are any to start with.
Don’t get me wrong—there are other things I do besides those… probably adding up to my family’s electrical bill, which must be regulated and maximized now that we’re all stuck at home. Look around, Erica. What do you see? Do the things you’ve never tried before, or have not really stuck to, like maybe working on those gainz with Dad’s aging exercise equipment or improvised weights, practicing how to do cartwheels in your backyard (and maybe planting a couple of seedlings), cleaning the house (of course, and other chores), starting on a scrapbook, revamping your old clothes, relearning your lessons last semester (optional, you know), and oh, so much more!
These things do not require productivity all the time, but are there anytime you want to do things. Just take your time and go at your own pace! This is not a race. Also, take note that we may consume more electricity and water than usual. So if you’re about to do stuff that will involve these (a lot will most probably), just be extra mindful of your usage.
2. “Get closer to the people close to you, even literally (as allowable under the circumstances)”
I really do miss everyday human interaction. I miss hugging my friends as I greet them. I miss having casual conversations with the ates and kuyas during lunchtime. I miss frolicking in the establishments I and my family go to at times. I miss being able to go to relatives to bond with them.
Right now, my family stays at home everyday. I’m glad to see them around now because it was almost always me and brother at home for most of the day before the outbreak. If you were always missing your family and you are with them right now, now’s the perfect time to bond (if it isn’t obvious enough). To be honest, I thought the only bonding we can possibly have is outside the house but, as my first point, make do with what you have. I and my brother would play a round or two of Scrabble with my mother in the afternoons. On some days, I and my dad would cry and laugh over K-Dramas back in the living room, before my brother and mother bond over Zombie films. On family movie nights, we try to stay in one room, close all the lights just like in the theaters. Thinking of it, I plan to invite them to a round of Zumba in the living room, maybe. To save on electricity and cut back on bills more, we would all sleep in one air-conditioned room now (because I and my brother can’t stand the heat in our bedroom).
As with my relatives and friends, I can only connect with them online for now. The occasional video chats are present, kumustahans, meme tagging. I guess what’s new in our bonding now is the rare rivalry over online Scrabble competitions and screen-sharing for movies, and even Spotify playlist sharing for some.
Given these sentiments, here’s a gentle reminder to check on your loved ones through ways you can, now that mental health matters the most. Check on yourself too. Always remember that someone is there for you, okay?
3. “Let your creativity flow”
I guess this outbreak really does wring out the creative juices in many of us—like those LGUs that have taken innovative measures to ensure health and safety; universities that take initiative in confronting the issues; content creators who tirelessly entertain us (TikTok included hehe); students who have used expertise from their degrees or fields of interest to contribute to society; organizations starting fundraisers for our frontliners; or simply those who have started to revisit their old hobbies like making art that they share online as messages of hope. I salute you!
Creativity indeed does wonders, and helps us take on whatever situation in whatever way. I think creativity also means being open to possibilities. Biking as a sustainable means of transportation for everyone is remarkable, now that PUVs’ operations are sadly banned for the time being. You might think that this is not exactly “creative” but the Philippines isn’t really a bike-dependent country. I’d rather say that this can push norms to be more inclusive. Not only can biking be exercise, but is a way of minimizing your carbon footprint. I hope that, after all of this, more bike lanes, spaces for parking bikes in establishments, and more parks for casual pedaling, will be granted. It is not only for the athletic or for those who don’t have cars; it’s for everyone.
What amazes me too is how people become resourceful in promoting and maintaining sanitation, which steers away from throwaway culture. I know a bunch of people who choose to “DIY” their face shields and face masks. Just a reminder for face mask DIYers though to take note of the materials used and their penetrability. I sure am glad that reusables are actually safe to use during the pandemic, according to experts.
Sharing your talents and ideas, or simply starting and supporting something you believe in will be good for everyone in the long run–no matter how small you think the act is.
4. “Health is wealth”
Ah, of course. Imagine beating a virus by maintaining proper hygiene and improving your immunity! I won’t further discuss the sanitation part, as primers and health campaigns that you see everywhere already do that.
Immunity can be improved by the all-known adequate sleeping, enough glasses of water, daily dosage of vitamins, and healthy food. Never underestimate being able to avail of vegetables and fruits in the local supermarkets (let’s support vendors and farmers! plus, it’s sustainable!) or being able to pick ingredients from your own plants and trees at home. Make homemade food, let your Studio Ghibli food dreams come true. Create your own dish or concoction! It sounds crazy, but my mom started to make this lemon-honey-ginger-onion drink to “boost our immune system”. I just know that she got it from heaven-knows-where online (I still love you, Mom) but I hope that it contributes at least a bit to our health (and not diarrhea).
I know a lot more people out there still need our assistance, especially since a lot of jobs are gone, and getting supplies is quite the challenge for many of us. Many groups have launched donation accounts to help our dear frontliners and those who don’t have the adequate necessities, and to fund other causes. In some communities, individuals band together to order whatever the rest need. I think this is a great way to lessen traffic and possible risk while manifesting that community spirit. We are all in this together in promoting life through health, and prioritizing only a select few will leave all efforts to dust.
5. “Nature is healing…I think?”
‘Seen those photos of hoards of animals enjoying the outside world? Although those photos were found to be fake (booo), it’s no doubt that the drastic drop in carbon emissions and human activity have brought temporary benefits. Surely air pollution and noise pollution have decreased too. I want to believe that flora and fauna are thriving because of less humans outside. But, will this continue once lockdown is lifted?
It’s a long shot because of how centered our lifestyles are on grabbing whatever we need from what is around us and not returning the favor, and on technology that makes our lives easier and more comfortable but relies on constantly churning machinery and energy exhaust. All of these pay back often as destruction of the Earth.
But I remain hopeful that we will learn from our experience now to build a better normal. I hope that we don’t forget that the Earth thrives without us in it, and never vice-versa.
6. “Take action”
But wait! There’s more.
At the end of the day, I and plenty of other young Filipinos are lucky enough to have the resources for most of the things mentioned above. But after all the realizations, my mind went to the less fortunate, whom COVID prevented from providing for their family. How are they? The jeepney drivers, how are they coping? And what about the frontliners, who don’t have the luxury of time as they are busy helping others heal while putting themselves at the highest risk?
The stress of reading about this on social media should not just prompt us to log off, but to actually take action. Some youth groups and individuals have organized donation drives for marginalized sectors and frontliners. Others took to the streets to petition the government for solutions.
Whichever political side you’re on, or whether or not you think you can contribute, the call is simple: We need to act. This virus might not go away anytime soon, but our fellow Filipinos might not have the means to go on further.
Talk to your local government officials. Join discussions on social media and express support for our frontliners. Help them when you can, there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
Let’s not just aspire for a new normal, folks; rather, we must help create a #BetterNormal where the people, and the environment, are at the center. You deserve it—we all do.
Erica Ching is a college student at one of the country’s state universities. A pre-medical student, she aspires to be a future medical practitioner. A long-time advocate for the environment, she dreams of someday co-existing with a better Earth. A lover of life, she tries to enjoy the little things she finds on the way to her goals, no matter the circumstance.