the exodus
Manila, 14 March—Every time I start a new entry, I make it a point to read where I left off in the last one, and trust me when I say my last post felt like ages ago—even when it was just, in fact, written two weeks prior.
What difference 14 days make—incidentally, also the length of self-quarantine for people with travel history to countries where COVID-19 cases have been recorded.
We’ve been battling COVID-19 since the start of the year, but not quite on this level. Funny how this has put many things in proper perspective—early March, I’d been too focused on two things: 1) Getting my presentation drafted for my defense and 2) Selling our Wanderland tickets, because the concert was coming and I still had them, what a pity, etc.
Of course, that concert has since been canceled, along with classes in Manila, initially just for a week. And this time, it’s not just because of rising cases worldwide—it’s because of rising cases here. How miniscule and unimportant my concerns had been, turns out. It feels foolish, looking back.
At first, there were two new cases, announced by the Department of Health at the end of that first week. One of them was a man who frequented a San Juan City prayer hall. This was March 6.
We had more cases over that weekend, and by end of Sunday, we had 10. By Monday, mayors were suspending classes, to give way to disinfection of school facilities. By Tuesday, we had 33 cases. By the following night, a second COVID-19 patient has died—a 67-year-old woman who had no recent travel history.
On March 12, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. (Difference between epidemic and pandemic here) Several government officials, including 11 senators, 8 mayors, and 7 cabinet members, announced that they would undergo self-quarantine for various reasons. Total case count: 52.
That same night, the government declared Code Red Sublevel 2. In a televised speech, the President imposed a “community quarantine” on Metro Manila, extended the suspension of classes to April 12, and prohibited mass gatherings as part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus. All domestic land, air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila have been likewise been suspended.
And now, here I am: Writing while waiting for the community quarantine to take effect at midnight, March 15. These past couple of days have been spent trying to figure out how to make sense of this when many who work in Metro Manila live outside of it.
The government encouraged alternative work arrangements, such as work from home or reduced work hours, but for many such arrangements are a privilege. I also read some rather tone-deaf suggestions, including encouraging those who live outside Metro Manila to seek temporary housing in Metro Manila.
I’m all for living near where you work, but I would never try to impose it upon anyone, especially those who likely have to also uproot their children, spouses and parents in order to execute such move. And don’t get me started on the fact that there are probably no vacancies anyway, and if there are, the rent is probably unreasonable after already being driven up by POGOs anyway.
ANYWAY.
I suppose I just wanted to write all of that down for later reference because this all feels like a gamechanger—like it’s going to change how we do things, how we view things, how we react to things moving forward. If anything, the situation is forcing everyone to pare things down to the essentials and focus on what truly matter. There’s bound to be good things coming out of that effort, right?
MEDIA RECS
Anyway again—here’s what I’ve been watching this weekend, and it is SO GOOD PLEASE CATCH UP.
SEASON 1 PA LANG KAMI NO SPOILERS PLS. Hehehehe.
Hope you’re able to slow down and find rest despite these tense times. Take care.
Xo,
K.