Virtues and Covid-19: My Life During This Pandemic

The pandemic has had an enormous influence on every person on this planet. It has
undoubtedly altered our perspective of life and how we live it. We observed so many lives that
had ended and recognized how fortunate we are to be still alive. As new problems emerge, we
adapt to a world that is shifting into a mode of survival. Despite all of the hardships and
misfortunes we encountered throughout this epidemic, I saw so many Filipinos who stayed
hopeful and devoted to God. Filipinos can remain cheerful in the face of adversity and trust God
in all we do and decide, and I believe that is what defines us as real Christians.

Solidarity is one of the virtues stated by Fr. Keenan that resonated in my life throughout
this pandemic. I witnessed individuals struggling with their limited resources. People in our rural
area had a tough time acquiring food supplies. My family owned a sari-sari store in our
neighborhood, which we opted to close during the first wave of quarantine. We intended to
maintain it that way even after the quarantine was lifted, but after observing our neighbors'
struggles with limited resources, we decided to reopen it. After that, I observed individuals being
relieved of one of their worries, and it was such a wonderful moment to see; being able to help
others demonstrates solidarity among people in our tiny rural town.

My mental health suffered during the epidemic. With all the issues and stress caused by
isolation and online classes, I've lost touch with the real world. It was tough to heal when your
own mind was your worst opponent. I've preferred to keep all of my troubles to myself since I lack
the courage to tell my family and friends about it. But as it grew heavier, I realized it was time to
open up and be brave enough to address what was truly wrong with me. With the guidance of
God, I confronted my difficulties with fortitude by informing my pals about what was going on with
me. Gladly, they understood my situation and offered some helpful suggestions. I discovered that
it's okay to be vulnerable from time to time; it doesn't mean you're weak; it just means you're brave
enough to show the world who you indeed are.

We saw so many individuals struggle throughout this epidemic owing to a lack of resources
and, of course, poverty. Being hospitable to others is one of the ways we can help. I am very
blessed that my family was able to survive this pandemic and to help others in need, we donated
some food supplies to at least alleviate their concerns about food. Showing hospitality is the least
we could do to lessen the stress of our circumstances during this trying time.