Social Distancing as the New Normal

For the past few weeks, while we are in Enhanced Community Quarantine, I keep on reading about the “New Normal” due to COVID – 19. The articles on this topic stated that the ways we do things need to change after our experience of this current pandemic, which has affected the entire world.

Looking at the staggering number of deaths in countries like Italy and Spain made me think about how a country like the Philippines will survive this worldwide pandemic. If these affluent countries are overwhelmed by COVID-19, what will happen to us in the Philippines? One cannot help become paranoid and fearful that even a slight irritation of the throat or cough can already send you spiraling into imaginations of being infected by the virus.

Pundits cannot agree among themselves. Remember, when early in the year 2020, wearing of facemask is not necessary but now has become mandatory. Statistical models forecasted that COVID-19 cases in the Philippines would reach 26,000 by the end of March 2020. Thank God it did not happen. In fact, by the time of this writing, there are only more than 6,000 cases (April 18, 2020).*

These statistical models have their value because it allowed us to see the “worst-case” scenario so that authorities and society can prepare. Yet, these worst-case scenarios can also erode the public’s confidence in the veracity of their methods, giving people a false sense of confidence because, after all, what the experts are forecasting did not happen.

There are conflicting opinions regarding the process and timing for lifting the ECQ. Some are against it because a haphazard lifting of the ECQ may lead to a resurgence of infected cases since it is doubtful whether the Philippines have already reached the peak. On the other hand, the business sectors are already clamoring that the government allows factories and industries to open, at least 50%, for the sake of the economy. As of the time when I was revising this article, it was more than one week since the National Government lifted the ECQ from various provinces downgrading it GCQ (General Community Quarantine) status while National Capital Region and some parts of the country remained in ECQ (as of May9, 2020).

Whatever directions the government will take, it is clear that we are choosing “between the devil and the deep blue sea.” It is uncharted territories where the best that we can expect is to take one step at a time, hoping that we are making the right choice towards the good and not a step nearer our demise.

The problem is multi-layered that every time we make an assessment, we are guilty of over-simplification. Is it a choice between health and wealth? Is it a choice between freedom and discipline? These are just a few of the contraries and oppositions that afflict us when we poke our fingers into the problem of COVID-19.

Undeniably, heroes were made during this crisis, but villains also emerged. Some broadcasted their goodness for the world to see while some showed nothing but their narcissism. The pandemic revealed our characters and priorities while at the same time manifests our having none of these at all. How many posts in social media have you read that showed people gathering in groups as if they are COVID proof? Some wanted to stay at home but are forced to go to work while some cannot bear staying in their own houses. Indeed, the pandemic brought the best and the pathetic in us. The pandemic, indeed, showed the wise from the fools.

Some preached for people to stay at home while they themselves cannot stay long in their own houses without itching feet looking for every imaginable excuse to go out of their houses.

To whatever end of the spectrum we belong, there is one undeniable reality, that is, life will no longer be the same, at least until a vaccine is created or we acquire “herd immunity.”

The framework of the new normal in our personal lives is anchored in the context of social/physical distancing. I am not sure if this will be observed due to factors like population congestion and the absence of housing, which again complicates the issue.

1. As of now the total number of infected person is 10,610 according to Rappler (accessed May 9, 2020 at 7:06 PM Manila Time)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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