COVID-19: Tragedies and Lessons
By Florencia C. Domingo
April 20, 2020
Listening to (or reading thru social media) the stories of Covid-19 victims is an agonizing daily experience. To imagine the victims’ final, loneliest hours with no member of family nor friend around - to hold their hand, kiss them and say “I love you”; comfort and assure them that everything will be alright; whisper words of encouragement to keep on fighting; or softly lead them in prayer and remind them of God who will never abandon them - is an ordeal that was sapping our strength away too. We feel the intense pain suffered by each victim’s family, we grieve for their loss, and for days, we are left with melancholy that alienate us to happiness. We are gripped with daily sadness that drove away the laughter and giddiness we used to have when spending time with family. We then realize that in a common battle like this one, where people of the world are united to fight as one, we have become connected to one another as family. Stripped of ego and pride, human beings after all, are not devoid of sensitivity and humanness.
This pandemic has also stretched wider our perspectives on the roles of healthcare professionals, most especially our doctors and nurses. They are no longer the doctors and nurses whose services we pay to make us well. We see them now as heroes, extraordinary people who have proven their commitment and dedication to their medical professions. Sacrificing their own lives to save fellow human beings from the highly contagious disease is heroism of the highest degree. We shed tears for every death, and each time we think of their heroism. We shed tears still, silently wishing for other so-called professionals - government leaders, lawyers, politicians, teachers, and other public servants, who are yet to prove obedience to the mandate they swore themselves in – to be touched by this tragic event and make a complete turn-around from their self-serving manipulation of public service to one that is rooted in love of country and the memory of our fallen heroes, then and now, whose stories of heroism must be repeatedly taught to our present and future generations of learners.
We are aware of people’s various reactions and beliefs on this pandemic - some world leaders are suspecting that the virus was man-made and used by China as a disguised weapon against their rival nations; others believe this is God’s wake-up call for humanity; and there are those who proclaim that this is a prelude to the end of the world, citing Bible verses and prophesies of wise men and famous seers. Whatever is the true cause or reason for this tragedy, each one of us has learned valuable lessons, not only from the belief we have on its origin, but from our own reflection and self-examination, forced on us, either by the availability of time for such deep thinking activities or by the fear gripping our whole being even the brave amongst us find difficult to escape.
From the belief that the corona virus is man-made, we can learn how human beings can easily lose their humanity to power, wealth and fame, or false belief on their country’s selfish obsessive desire to be the world’s super power – a possibility we pray was not true. Many Christians do not believe that the end of the world is near, but majority are inclined to consider this global tragedy a wake-up call for all – the very rich who don’t stop competing for the higher position in the yearly ladder of the world’s (or their country’s) richest, while depriving their employees and workers the fair and just compensation that they deserve; the corrupt government officials, especially of poor nations, whose ill-gotten wealth could have provided for reliable healthcare systems and provisions for their people during catastrophic times like this; the unscrupulous businessmen continuously destroying and desecrating Mother Nature (through mining, logging, manufacturing. invading our seas and oceans, etc.); and the careless people throwing garbage everywhere, endlessly polluting and poisoning the earth.
Covid-19 is a world crisis that has succeeded in jolting our consciousness too, which seems to have been in stupor for a long time. Prior to this, we have been either too busy or obsessed in our work for whatever reasons - survival, promotion, upping social and economic status, or obsession for material things just to get ahead of others, while sacrificing valuable time for our families. Most parents of young children have been taking for granted their parental duties, failing to raise them up properly. It is not surprising that these children grow up to be strangers to the time-honored values of respect, compassion, justice, integrity, faith in God, and others, which to the millennials are not that important in their goal to achieve the luxuries in life but to us, their elders, are necessities very much needed for the human race to live according to the purpose we believe man was created.
On the other hand, there is this big sector in our society referred to as ‘the poorest of the poor’ who have long given up their opportunities (or duties?) to prove their worth and be responsible providers even only for their own and their families’ needs. They have accustomed themselves and their children after them, to be perennial dependents of the government. The scarce funds that could have helped strengthen the country’s healthcare system are instead poured into this obligation. And instead of teaching them how to be productive and help them restore their dignity to be decent human beings, there are politicians who ‘spoil’ them, with a brand of politics that exploits the human weakness of indolence and dependency. Such cunning practice inhibits the poor’s growth and learning, so they remain ignorant and dim-witted in matters of governance and citizenship. It’s a wonder if the upsetting shock brought by the covid-19 pandemic has resonated within these politicians’ inner conscience and spark a deeper concern on the true needs of their constituents.
One good thing that the pandemic has unfolded are the true colors of our government leaders, national and local. The intelligent citizens can now easily classify them as responsive, proactive, brave, decisive, sincere, and authentic leaders, as against the slothful, reactive, coward, superficial, opportunistic or dumb. Our own President who has been prejudged by many as rude, heartless and brutal has emerged as a shining example of a leader who is competent, decisive, strong and authoritative. We all know about his fearless stance on the principles he believes in and his brusqueness in speech, but we are not privy to his soft side, his great concern for the Filipinos mirrored in his actions and decisions, as well as, the compassion expressed through his desolate eyes and forlorn face. The president has won the respect and admiration of many, even those who despise and detest him. It is true that in trying times, true leaders rise.
Indeed, each one of us has a long list of lessons learned, but one that strikes hard our sense of pride is the stark reality of human frailties. Our concepts of power, economy, intelligence, privilege, wealth and status in life will definitely take new meanings from now on, as we have been taught that no one or nothing in this world has the power nor wisdom to deal with mysteries we have yet to know and understand. What we thought to be indestructible powerful creations of man have crumbled into fragments of powerlessness, many wealthy esteemed people were unmasked and seen as they are – poor and shallow in character, and the grandstanding wise men and women, including those in the halls of congress, just vanished in plain sight at the most critical hours. Fortunately, this opened doors to some altruistic leaders forced to rise and given chance to disclose their hidden gems of leadership and shine, giving us hope for a glorious tomorrow.
Undoubtedly, our lives with altered beliefs and preferences, will change due to the lessons learned from this tragedy. It is time to reflect on how we can live right and with humility, the remaining stretches of our journey in this beautiful world. Each day is precious and no minute must be wasted in doing non-essential things. God did not promise that our journey would be easy but if we live by faith in Him, He will lead us along the right paths to heaven – here on earth and in His kingdom. Isn’t that the greatest lesson that we must carry in both the bright and dark days of our lives?
FLORENCIA C. DOMINGO, PhD
Retired Schools Division Superintendent
Graduate School Professor, University of Caloocan City
Book/Textbook Writer and Editor, SC Mardison Publishing Corp.
73 years old
sdsflordomingo@yahoo.com
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