Pandemic Blues

A non-fiction story

“Covid-19 or also known as Corina Virus, has indeed affected the world, especially in the
aspect of education. In global statistics, an estimated population of 1.2 billion students are out of
the classroom as various education institutes proposed to use new methods in learning like
“Online School Learning” where the class will be taken virtually through digital platforms used
by the school. According to Department of Education or also known as DepEd, Online Learning
is an excellent solution to give the students an opportunity to learn amidst this ongoing
worldwide pandemic which affected the lives of everyone. The students will be presented access
to online portals and lives to continue learning because the government implemented strict
community quarantine guidelines; hence, face-to-face learning is impossible due to social
distance policies.”
My mind suddenly went blank after absorbing the news being delivered at this time. My
mother is looking at me with a sympathetic expression on her face as she sat beside me and
patted my shoulder affectionately.
“Lanze, I know this year created events that are not what we are expecting. I, myself, cannot
believe that we are experiencing this worldwide pandemic. I know staying at home is new for all
of us, but this is the only way to keep this family safe”
I cannot help but nod my head as my mother reminded me that this is not a dream. The
world is being conquered by a global pandemic. As I continuously stared at nowhere, I can feel
my mother place her head on my shoulder as she sighed.
“I’m sorry, Lanze, we cannot go outside, and we cannot earn the usual income that we earn…Do
not worry for I can afford your tuition since I prepared a budget for that but for your online
learning, it will require you to acquire new devices that will accommodate your online learning,
and we are a bit low with our monthly budget ---”
I cannot help but hug my mother as I cut her off.
“Mother, it is okay. I currently have the devices I need, and I do not need a new one. This one
will last because I will take care of it”
I smiled widely while waving my phone in front of her face.
She cannot help but to sigh while the room is filled with silence and understanding as my mother
and I think about the possibilities of this community lockdown and the unfamiliarity of the new
standard procedures. I can feel my mother repeatedly sighed as she cannot help but to worry
about our situation because no one knows until when this pandemic will last. I let my thoughts
wander about my future, my friends from school, and how online class will be an unfamiliar path
to me. I cannot help but to release a sigh too.
“Mother?” I asked
“Hmm?” she hummed in response
“Will everything be alright?” I whispered
“Not right now, but gradually it will be.” Her smile brought calmness to my thoughts as we sat in
silence.
As the surrounding started to become dim, this sympathetic thoughts suddenly popped-up
and raised my enthusiasm.
“As we suffer from these unpleasant feelings, we should keep fighting and have a positive view
of life. Weathering the problem is a portion of existence, when the end finally came, and
something fresh started to shine, do not forget all the life lessons and realizations you have made
through. It is in human nature to be afraid but living in fear all the way through is not living at
all. We should always seek the beauty of life and look for reasons to continue living. The good
old days will be back to what it used to be as though nothing has happened.”
I did not notice the tears running down my face, all I knew is it felt so light to surrender
everything to Him and believe in His plans.