Quarantine Diaries: Day 7

21st of March 2020, Saturday

Unlucky 7, Lucky 13

My calendar beeped early today to remind me of my daughter’s Grade School Graduation. Prior to the outbreak, the culminating program of her grade school class was scheduled for today. The graduation rites have been optimistically deferred to June, as we fervently hope that this outbreak is quelled and under control by then.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 3

17th of March 2020, Tuesday

#BorderLife

In just 2 days of starting the community quarantine, events escalated pretty quickly towards more stringent measures. The metro is now under Enhanced Community Quarantine and I was surprised to wake up to a SWAT-guarded city border. Perks of living in the gilid. I’m happy to see that swift action is being taken to mitigate the spread of the virus. But I’m worried what this means for the working class that subsists on day-to-day wages. 

Last night, Contagion was our family movie of choice. It was a frightful scenario. The panic and anarchy that ensued after the spread of the deadly disease was unnerving. I pray that this will never happen in our Earth’s lifetime.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 2

16th of March 2020, Monday

State of Kandaugaga-ness

It’s the 2nd day of community quarantine. We live along a busy street that is now uncharacteristically quiet and empty for a Monday morning. Which is great news from a dust and pollution perspective. But my FB newsfeed is ablaze with running commentaries and criticisms, coupled with photos of commuters filling the streets early today. Everybody has their 2-cents worth on their FB statuses, erstwhile I contemplate on what goals I should accomplish to achieve the elusive state of ‘kandaugaga-ness’ while I’m mopping our bedroom floor and scrubbing our bathroom shower.

Quarantine Diaries: Day 1

15th of March 2020, Sunday

Lockdown is our default.

I just realized that quarantine-mode is our family’s default. If not for school, important business meetings and family gatherings, we can stay at home for days on end. Going out feels like a chore for us – the need to change out of pajamas, bathe, and get dressed – and not to mention having to scrub up before bed for fear of being ‘dirty’ from being outside. 

Life in the Time of COVID-19

T -1 Day to Community Quarantine

Today, 14th of March 2020, would’ve been the first day of summer break from school for the kiddos. But as new cases of COVID-19 here in Metro Manila started unfolding in the last few days, the school year came to an abrupt end, with our younger kids taking pleasure in the cancellation of their quarterly exams and culminating programs. Our eldest was looking forward to attending her grade school graduation rites next weekend, and was left a bit confused if she was to rejoice that the 2-week rehearsals have been cancelled, or be disappointed that there’s a possibility that there was no proper closure for this important milestone. But for today, we celebrate and take comfort that our loved ones are safe and healthy in this confusing time of COVID-19.