"New Normal"

The term “new normal” is apparently the most popular and novel term being used nowadays brought about by COVID-19 pandemic. The so-called normal which means conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected has somewhat changed and it might change for a long period of time if not for a lifetime. The things we have been accustomed to do on a regular basis since the day we were born have seemingly changed. The way we do things from home, work, school and other personal activities we engage ourselves in have now likely changed to a “new normal.”

The preoccupation of people to this pandemic, from ordinary citizens, public servants, professionals, parents, students, millennial, Gen Z and to all people from all walks of life is going through a turbulent phase, a phase that many cannot adapt themselves yet to it. When COVID-19 became prevalent and started overwhelming the whole world, everyone was physically, socially, psychologically and spiritually shaken and challenged. It was like a roaring sound of thunder that reverberates to the ears, which made many people go frantic. As a matter of fact, it was reported that Thomas Schaefer, the finance minister of Germany’s Hesse state, has committed suicide apparently after becoming “deeply worried” over how to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus. Also, on March 25, 2020, after returning from Dhaka, a 36-year-old Bangladeshi man (Zahidul Islam, from the village of Ramchandrapur) committed suicide because he and the people in his village thought he was infected with COVID-19 based on his fever and cold symptoms and his weight loss (Somoy News, 2020). Due to the social avoidance and attitudes by others around him, he committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in the village near his house. Unfortunately, the autopsy showed that the victim did not have COVID-19.

In this light, an article written by Leah Royden entitled, “A new normal: What does it mean to "get over" the loss of a loved one?”,   she explains that almost anything is ‘normal’ following the trauma of losing forever someone we loved in life, and continue to love through the agony of their absence.

For most people, however, their "normal" (albeit incredibly disturbing and upsetting) grief symptoms largely dissipate within 18 months. While the griever has not necessarily ‘moved on’, the most acutely painful sensations have shifted. As researchers Jordan & Litz put it, over time, “The griever is able to come to an acceptance of irrevocably changed circumstances and re-engage in life.”

So if you’re grieving, know that you’ll most likely return to a place of psychological well-being and a "new normal" in time—but the key word here is "new." The truth in the phrase "you never get over it" lies in the fact that you will never again be the ‘old’ you—the person you were when your loved one was alive. 

We are, to a large extent, created in the relationships we have with others. We bring forth different parts of ourselves with each and every person we share our lives with. We are a certain way with them, they are a certain way with us, and we are a certain way together. We mirror each other, we reflect one another back.

In essence, part of us have changed to a “new normal” as reality tells us that we cannot go back anymore to normal because of the physical loss of a loved one which in the process changes part of us.

Furthermore, due to the increasing negative impact of this pandemic to human life, academic and business institutions and religious practices and ceremonies have already changed as it has to consider the welfare of people. The normal way we do things in this regard has been changed to the so-called “new normal.”  Let us try to decipher on the current situation happening at present as we live in this “new normal” era.

When the government started to implement various ways and means to protect the lives of people, a lockdown was instantly imposed. At the beginning, it was not that strict yet as people  could still go out and do their normal activities. However, as the number of COVID-19 patient increases, the government realized that it has to implement strictly the lockdown and in a bigger scope. From community quarantine to enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine, experts and government leaders are giving labels as to how quarantine will be implemented to a certain district or region. Under these different quarantine strategy and mechanism, there are scopes and limitations people can operate and do in a specific area and time. In effect, people are somewhat complaining, squabbling, articulating, criticizing and reacting to this “new normal” that is inevitable which we all have to adapt ourselves to.

People are praying and guessing when this pandemic will be over.  For now, we can only rely and depend on experts to tell us when this will be all over. Since this is still a big enigma for many, the Department of Health has just reminded us again of another “new normal” that we have to continue doing consistently on a daily basis which serves as preventive measures as follow: frequently washing of hands with soap and water, wearing of face mask every time you go out of your house and physical or social distancing (1 meter apart). All of us are still adapting and adjusting to this “new normal” and at the same time waiting for other precautionary measures and safety practices that we have to do while we are living and coping with this pandemic crisis.

The “new normal” is obviously here to help and support us as we continue to live our lives with hope and positivity that one day this pandemic crisis will be totally over. As we gradually submit ourselves to the “new normal” way of living, let us always be reminded that this is all for our safety and security. No matter how other people can’t understand and the worst accept this “new normal”, one thing is definitely for sure, we may or may not go back to our real and normal way we live our lives,  hence, we should always be ready and open for a “new normal” to come into our lives.

COVID-19 Heals

It has been more than a month since the Philippine government declared the whole of Luzon under Enhanced Community Quarantine or in simple term lockdown. At the early stage, I thought that this was something that would immediately disappear. I was even able to hang out and meet my friends to play badminton and do my regular work and church activities. However, I was taken aghast to hear in the news that this virus outbreak that started in Wuhan, China, in the wink of an eye has turned into a pandemic, which means “an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people.” It then dawned on me that this COVID-19 is a very serious matter.

Before this pandemic happens, people simply tried to live their life by doing things that would made them survived on a daily basis. Needless to say, everyone was concerned and preoccupied with work to earn and be able to provide for their personal and family needs. On a larger scale, big companies in the world continued to expand their businesses obviously to earn money and acquire wealth that perhaps would make them feel as little gods.  Do you think they have thought or have given attention to the impact their businesses could have to human life? I remember the documentary film by Al Gore entitled “An Inconvenient Truth.” At the beginning, a very beautiful and breath taking picture of the planet Earth was shown. From the illustration, the Earth looks very clean and virgin as colour blue dominating the image of our planet gives a very relaxing and soothing sight and feeling. Thereafter, the film presents us with the current dismal reality: the air that we breathe in is very dirty and polluted and apparently human beings have already acclimatized themselves to this reality. Our flora and fauna are endangered and are slowly dying. The beautiful creation that was given to us to protect and love, we have abused and raped for clandestine reasons.

Our current generation has seen that human activities have greatly destroyed if not killed values and cultures that are supposed to be preserved with the hope of spreading and maintaining it as a legacy from our ancestors and pass it from generation to generation. The thinkers would say that everything in this world evolves that is why things change. I agree that things change because that is the only permanent occurrence in this world but the question is what kind of change is happening in this world? If you try to do your little research at the tip of your fingers using your mobile phone you would discover what actually is happening in the world. As a matter of fact, the Philippines has been number one in the following arenas: We are the number one country in terms of graft and corruption; teenage pregnancy; and now for COVID-19 infected cases compared to our neighbour countries in the ASEAN. Also, we have been declared as the texting capital of the world and a country that has more mobile connection compared to its population.

Globally, many things have totally changed. People from different countries have fought for what they call human rights because they believe they deserve to be recognized, respected, included and accepted in the society. Abortion, same sex marriages, divorce, territorial dispute, economic competition and turbulence, civil war, political dispute, and religious beliefs and practices are some of the many social issues that have totally changed which people have fought for and are still fighting for across the world. Leaders from many countries have approved and made legal some of these social issues to feed the so-called human needs and the ego-seeking mind of people for human equality and freedom.

Another equally important issue that needs to be mentioned in the open is the current status of Catholic religion in some European countries. In countries like England, Netherland and Switzerland they have converted their churches into mini-department store, theatre and skating area. In fact, some churches are treated now as tourist spot because of its majestic and archaic structure only good for selfies and groupies for many tourists. Have you heard of the terms Nones and Dones? Josh Packard, Associate Professor from the Department of Sociology from University of Northern Colorado introduced these terms. Nones are those who, when asked about their religious affiliation indicated that they had none. They have rejected a religious identity or affiliation while Dones, a less defined category, are those who consider themselves “done” with church. They have not lost their faith but no longer attend church. You may have had a conversation with people who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” Not to mention the increasing number of people who chose to be atheist or non-believer.

The great philosopher Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living!” Have we spent time thinking and reflecting on a deeper level why this is happening to us? Have we thought of the real reason behind this? What do we think are the lessons we can get from this unprecedented event? Is this the beginning of the end of the world? Do you agree that this is all written in the Holy Bible?

Whatever answer you may have to any of these questions, I would like to believe that COVID-19 is here to heal. Why did I say so? Allow me to share my reflections and insights about this pandemic crisis that the world is facing today.

For the first time, the lockdown implemented in all countries affected by the COVID-19 has helped our environment to be clean especially the air that we breathe in. People have noticed the clean and clear blue skies because now it emanates true and captivating colours as it was cleared from toxic gaseous elements. Also, the gigantic cross from Mt. Samat located in Bataan can now be clearly seen from Manila with the aid of binoculars. This only shows that the poisonous chemicals floating in the air were lessened because very few vehicles are allowed to travel every day. Isn’t it something that we really wanted to experience? Our atmosphere was reportedly clean for the first time. Giant companies and rich people manufacturing and acquiring a lot of vehicles hopefully can learn something from this positive change. It may sound crazy but it takes a virus to clean our atmosphere where we get our oxygen to breathe and survive.

 People have started to become obsessive-compulsive as everyone was advised to frequently wash hands and disinfect all the things commonly touched by our hands to avoid contamination from the virus. Also, we need to wear face mask in order to protect ourselves from getting infected or infecting others in case we have acquired the virus. Needless to say, people all over the world have likely realized the importance of cleanliness both physically and environmentally. There is a saying that goes this way, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness!” A very important habit that we should all be religiously practicing but we only realized to do it now because of COVID-19.

With the preoccupation and attention given by people to all temporal things available around us, many have confessed that they have more time now with their loved ones. Parents have more time with their children and hopefully children have more time with their parents as well instead of indulging too much on their gadgets. Families keep themselves busy at home by trying to do family bonding activities like exercising, playing games, cooking and eating healthy food, watching movies through Netflix, and most especially praying intimately. They feel more bonded and closer with each other as they stay home together every day.

Death brought about by COVID-19 has been a very painful experience to many families. Losing someone you dearly love is far beyond words and human feelings, which is very difficult to comprehend and accept. Frontliners, young and old people alike, have been victims to this pandemic but the lives of these people especially those who died to rescue lives definitely did not go in vain. They are true heroes who are not dauntless to face the danger of losing their lives in the midst of helping and saving others’ lives. It may be a heart breaking experience for those people who lost their loved ones but in the process, it tries to heal a part of their inner being, which hopefully helps them to become a better, stronger and independent person as they continue to go on with their lives without their loved ones. Hopefully, people have realized the true importance of spending quality time with people dear to us while they are alive.

Finally, COVID-19 seemingly has sprinkled water to the spiritual dryness of many people. It is very rare that you see Facebook walls being flooded with messages and photos that inspire the soul. Normally, you would see pictures and videos about vacation spots, shoes, perfumes, clothes, inappropriate acts, Tiktok videos, and all sorts of seemingly egocentric activities. Apparently, COVID-19 has moved people to reflect and pray.  Different kinds of prayers like prayer requests, prayer of forgiveness, prayer of supplication, prayer of gratitude, and other kinds of prayers are posted repeatedly. Also, pictures of Jesus, Mother Mary, Saints, Angels, and all other holy images can be seen every single newsfeed. Seemingly, people have realized that only by faith in GOD and constant and unceasing prayers will help end this pandemic crisis. However, do you think we would still see as much prayers and holy images on Facebook after this is all over?

The virtue of patience and obedience are likely to be very important as people during this quarantine period tend to get bored and restless. Surprisingly, there are others who are able to embrace and exercise these values but there are some who just can’t fathom the importance of patience and obedience even with the threat to life by this COVID-19. Hopefully, this COVID-19 has truly impacted and deepened the faith and relationship with GOD of people all over the world. After all, this is what we heard and continuously hear from people saying every day, PRAY, PRAY and PRAY.

It may sound bizarre or ironic but I believe that COVID-19 is healing the human race from indifference, eccentricity, lavishness and sinfulness. It bonds families, it teaches positive values, like generosity and compassion and love for health and life. I fervently hope and pray that after this is over, each one of us would be able to live with all our heart and soul the lesson this COVID-19 is teaching and healing in us. Let us not wait for another virus outbreak to attack us just for us to show how valuable life is.

In Psalm 121:7-8 it says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Stay safe everyone and may GOD truly dwells in our hearts all the days of our life!