These and a Box of Soap

Forty days.

From the time our government announced that the country would be placed under a community quarantine to stave off the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, people have been experiencing different kinds of challenges and dilemmas brought about by the confinement of body and mind within the four walls of our homes.

Forty days.

Every week we would see statistics go up, go down, and go back up again. The number of deaths would be determined by the condition of the immune system of the infected. The number of the infected would be determined by the compliance and common sense of the healthy. The healthy would most probably determine the number of days the pandemic will last: if either or both compliance and common sense were readily found in the citizenry.

Forty days. 

A lot can happen in six weeks. Even in quarantine. A lot. Something good. Something bad. Maybe a bit of both. With this unprecedented global pandemic somewhat shutting down most of the world — rendering governments helpless against an invisible enemy, emptying the coffers of the world economy, stretching the healthcare sector pretty thinly — a slew of unpleasant and unwanted circumstances have sprung forth and blanketed people in different nations. The planet had been enveloped in fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Forty days.

On the Internet — my only source of global update — people have openly showed their varied responses to the pandemic. Many have chosen to live scared of the coronavirus, deciding to become fear-mongers themselves. Others have chosen to not be afraid of getting sick at all or even believe that the pandemic is real, throwing out whatever bit of caution they may have had out the quarantine window. There are, however, a good portion of the global populace that have chosen to respond in a positive and life-affirming way. Some have taken the time to bring levity to others in the form of social media videos featuring live musical performances. A lot have also decided to bring encouragement online by posting videos that spread spiritually-uplifting messages of faith. These folks have proven that you can look at the glass half-full.

Forty days.

To say that the last six weeks was an unusual roller coaster ride through the eclectic spectrum of human emotions would be an understatement. This coronavirus pandemic is indeed unprecedented on a global level, but to each individual on earth, it is also unprecedented on a personal level: it has made each person contemplate on their mortality, ponder on eternity, and appreciate what they have currently.

WEEK ONE

I appreciated the down time that the quarantine afforded me. It was a time for rest from the busyness of work and ministry. It was a time for sleeping in and lazing around in bed. That novelty wore off eventually though but, still, I was grateful.

WEEK TWO

Going to the grocery to get food supplies was never a chore or something to complain about until people started panic buying and long lines became a thing. However, I turned my sights on the bright side and thanked God that — while the line was long and the sun was hot — I was blessed enough to have the ability to stand in line, endure the heat, and purchase some goods where others could not.

WEEK THREE

Quarantine restrictions got tighter and people from the community I lived in were only allowed to go out for supply runs on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays. No problem. I figured we were all told to stay indoors most of the time anyway, so this three-day permission to forage for food was a good thing. On one of these days, after coming from another supply run — more like supply ‘walk’ since public transportation made unavailable — I found myself walking home, passing by some tall trees along the way. Suddenly, a mild gust of wind blew through the trees and sent some leaves falling down my way. It was a magical movie moment that I think I wouldn’t have noticed had I not been stuck indoors for eighteen days. The autumn vibe of that circumstance reminded me of simpler days gone by.

WEEK FOUR

Sometimes, even the simplest thing that we’ve gotten used to pre-pandemic can become sources of delight. Like the act of opening a fresh box of bath soap. I don’t think I have ever made such a ceremony of unboxing a bar of Dove, but this moment felt like a first, as if I have never had the opportunity to rip open a product packaging or taken a whiff of its scent.

WEEK FIVE

Solitude. Definitely solitude. While it surely has its disadvantages, at the moment its benefits outweigh them. Peace and quiet are priceless. Enough said.

WEEK SIX

Being able to still stay connected to people through technology is without a doubt one of the many blessings that I have learned to appreciate in these pandemic days. I mean it’s challenging enough to be sometimes bored out of your mind on certain day; imagine having no form of human connection on top of that. God bless the Internet. God bless information technology.

Forty days.

And counting.

The coronavirus pandemic is not going to last forever. It has, however, left an indelible imprint on the face of the earth and the soul of each man. While it is still here to stay, we can hopefully learn to always look at the bright side of life and appreciate what we have and what we have been afforded during this season.

Family.

Friends.

Faith.

Food.

Films.

Facebook.

Furlough.

All these.

And a box of soap.