ILOILO City – From fear of infection, isolation, to the overwhelming sense of powerlessness before a vicious virus, frontliners leading the battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have seen so much suffering and have suffered themselves for the past 10 months.
As the world begins 2021, these “modern-day” heroes are praying and hoping to make this year “a time for healing.”
Thirty-five-year-old nurse Mark Louie Cabañal prays for the COVID-19 pandemic to end. He works at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district – the health facility dedicated for confirmed COVID-19 patients in Region 6.
“I want things go back to normal where we can do what we love, completely see each other’s faces and hug and kiss our loved ones,” Cabañal told Panay News.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like his work will ease up anytime soon.
Yesterday, the Department of Health in Western Visayas reported 28 additional COVID-19 cases, pushing to 20,236 the region’s tally of confirmed infections.
Although COVID-19 continues to spread at a slow burn, Cabañal said there are moments of joy and a sense of common purpose, such as the outpouring of solidarity from the general public.
“It’s amazing to see people adhering to health safety protocols to stem the spread of COVID-19. I wish for everybody’s safety and good health,” Cabañal said.
He also underscored the need to see the bright side and lessons from the pandemic.
For Mayor Jerry Treñas, who had been in the forefront of the city’s COVID-19 response, 2020 was a year unlike any other.
“It was a difficult year but we survived together,” said Treñas, who prayed for healing and growth.
He said the tides may have been extreme for the Ilonggos, but everyone worked hard the course through.
“This 2021, let us continue to row forward for a better City of Love,” Treñas said.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo of the Archdiocese of Jaro prayed that the pandemic be given definite solutions.
“Magsalig ta nga ang pandemya mahatagan sang nagakaigo nga sabat lakip man ang nanarisari nga kinahanglan sang aton kautoran,” Lazo said in his New Year’s message.
Lazo, who led the New Year’s Eucharistic Mmass at the Jaro Cathedral on Jan. 1, also tackled the lessons and challenges brought by the pandemic.
“Kabay man makatuon kita sang ekspiriensya sang tuig 2020 kag may pagbag-o kita sa aton sinarayo nga mas pa sang nagligad nga tuig,” Lazo said.
On the other hand, Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), believed that 2021 will be a better year for everyone.
“With understanding and mutual support, we will overcome this pandemic safe and victorious,” said Pancito.
He also assured the public of 3ID’s support.
Meanwhile, journalist Emme Rose Santiagudo wished for fellow frontliners’ good health and safety.
“Aside from those on the medical field, there are a lot of frontliners struggling in their work such as reporters, security guards, cashiers, drivers, janitors, domestic helpers, etc. I pray for their safety, good health and courage to continue their work amid the pandemic,” she said.
UNKNOWNS
The world has been on pandemic mode for over a year. The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread at a slow burn; intermittent lockdowns are the new normal. An approved vaccine offers six months of protection, but international deal-making has slowed its distribution. To date, an estimated 250 million people have been infected worldwide and 1.75 million died.
Epidemiologists around the world are constructing short- and long-term projections as a way to prepare for, and potentially mitigate, the spread and impact of COVID-19.
Although their forecasts and timelines vary, modellers agree on two things – COVID-19 is here to stay, and the future depends on a lot of unknowns, including whether people develop lasting immunity to the virus, whether seasonality affects its spread, and – perhaps most importantly – the choices made by governments and individuals./PN
