A Sorrowful New Normal

Students’ clamor filled the rooms as the scrupulous president announced the
enhanced community quarantine nationwide last March 16, 2020. Fain, happiness and
gladness were evident to everyone as I looked around that time including me. I know we
all have the same thought about this situation on how it gave us tremendous time to do
whatever we wanted. "Stress free!” I exclaimed. I started to fancy different scenes where
I can do my planned activities. In the same time, I also wished for a very long vacation.
One of my activities is to fulfill my responsibilities as SK Councilor. I became more
exuberant as I was chosen to be a volunteer or as what they called today "Front liner" to
conduct and superintended house profiling of the residents in our barangay. Even though
it was risky, we did our part so they could receive relief goods distributed by the
municipal workers.

As the month of April came, the coronavirus, a spawn of darkness or an

abomination that brings the world to ruin, gradually amplified and positive cases
continued ascending. Many people lost their jobs including my mother. Our chairman
decided for us to take a rest and stayed at home because the world is in jeopardy. People
should be cynosure, focused all the attention, for the incorrigible virus, information,
preclude more contacts and to look for its panacea.

Months, weeks and days quickly went by, as I spent most of my time in our house
eating as if there is no tomorrow, sleeping like a pig and surfing the internet in a free data
mode which vapidness gradually devoured me and turned to anxiety. I always asked
myself "Is it what the prophecy written in the bible? When will it last?” I sometimes cried
in amidst of the night as many questions and what ifs popped in my mind. This
quarantine experience drives me crazy! Astute mind, are you still there? Lesson learned:
Don't wish for something you can't handle. When I have a chance to be alone I imagined
the cacophony of my classmates. I really missed them so bad!

Wherever I go, a feigned smile can only be shown. Genuine, when I can see you
again? Luckily, the class already started. I can divert my thoughts into more challenging
activities. I can also see my classmates through virtual conferences which help me not to
be lugubrious. I am hoping that this could mitigate, the anxiety and depression I suffered
as well as the guidance of the teachers.