Every day I receive at least four, sometimes six updates from Manila regarding the economy and the more I read about it the more I get anxious.  I want to tell them to stop sending me articles without sounding rude. I start my day feeling more uncertain about the rest of 2020 after reading the articles on economic projections, global recession, government inefficiencies, etc.

Many learned people have kilometric-long opinions and criticisms. None of us have predicted this would ever happen. The magnitude of dealing with this virus is greater than mere words. It’s easy to criticize, dapat ganito, dapat ganun.

The number of infected in the Philippines is surprisingly low in comparison with other countries.
Some are saying that only the affluent are at risk because the poor don’t travel so therefore they are not exposed. There is no sufficient, accurate, updated data to support this claim. It’s true that only the affluent could afford to travel, of course, but the virus is widespread in the community. Every person from all society levels is at risk.

It’s tough to enjoy forced vacation at home with zero income. Staying home also consumes resources. Staying home doesn’t mean no spending. Higher water, gas and electric bills. Millions are using their credit cards to stock on food and other necessities. Many couldn’t resist the urge of shopping for fashion wear on line. Now the credit card bill comes.

I am glad none of my nephews, nieces, have lost their jobs. Some acquaintances have posted that they are now officially unemployed. Some have been fired. Some are working part-time. Some are on unpaid leave, at least they still have a job to go back to once businesses open.

Some kababayans have messaged me asking for pambili ng gatas (alam ko matatanda na anak nila), walang bigas, etc. Eto yung mga nangutang sa akin several years ago ng mga pampuhunan daw nila sa negosyo pero hindi naman nila ginamit sa dapat paggamitan yung mga pera na ipinahiram ko. Ni hindi na nga nila ako naalala at kilala. Ngayon naalala ako ulit. I will include them in my prayers. I pray that they don’t get sick from the corona virus. I pray that they remain healthy so they can pick up the pieces and do good next time, be more responsible, be more hardworking without cheating others. Kung masigla ang katawan, pwede pa silang makabangon sa kahirapan basta magsipag sila sa tamang paraan.

I cannot understand why someone who throws a party on her every birthday and annual town fiesta is asking for my help, pambili daw ng bigas. I am sorry but I am confused.

Several kababayans have died in the past week, three from the virus and two from heart attack.

My former staff Abby is sick too but she will recover. I wish her good health and happiness all the days of her life.

I was watching TV Patrol a few nights ago and saw some local government officials handing out crisp one thousand peso bills, randomly. Are those their personal money? Or is that the money coming from the government hence people’s money? The way one guy was giving out the money reminded me of pasko, parang namimigay ng aginaldo. Hawak-hawak nya yung paldu-paldong isang libo, isa-isang libo iniaabot sa mga tao. Paano natin malalaman kung lahat yun ay mapupunta sa mga pangkaraniwang tao? No check and balance.

No person should go hungry. Dapat walang magugutom. Our Philippine government must be able to effectively allocate the resources so that basic goods can reach those in need. Meron namang pera ang gobyerno, dapat lang ito ay mapunta sa pagkain at gamot ngayong hindi pa makapagtrabaho ang mga mamamayan.

Massive support in terms of PPE’s, medicines, effective testing equipment, extra pay for medical workers, are also expected from the government.

I hope we will be able to contain the virus within May so that certain industries / businesses can reopen and people can go back to work while still practicing physical distancing of at least 6 feet. Some say 13 ft., some say 27 feet, sobrang layu na yan.

Here in America, the auto shops are considered an essential business that’s why in certain cities the dealerships are still open.

I think Ford EDSA, Ford Cainta, and Makati Ford can slowly and partially open as soon as President Duterte lifts the enhanced community quarantine. Our showrooms and service areas are not normally crowded, but with the virus still hovering around Manila, we will improve sanitation and cleanliness of workspace, including but not limited to physical distancing. And of course, the mask! Wear a mask at all times except when eating. We will reduce the number of seats in the showroom, kailangan isang kilometro ang layo sa isa’t -isa.

The economic recovery will be slow. Expect shifting schedules in thousands of companies including ours because companies will not be able to hire back their workers immediately on a full-time basis.

Did you notice people are kinder lately? Every person wishes another to stay safe, be healthy, God bless. I’ve been receiving messages of kindness from acquaintances who are otherwise snobbish. It’s either they are just bored and spend time forwarding messages to every number saved on their cellphone or maybe the threat of this virus has hit their good sense and compassion for the world. That’s good. There’s no oversupply of good and caring people. The universe needs more.

I’ve also noticed that many have become prayerful. Thousands of religious-inspired messages are sent, resent, forwarded among Facebook friends. Sometimes I get the same message of faith from three different persons.

Even if the ECQ is lifted, please don’t be careless and complacent that the virus is gone. NO! Have an abundance of caution. Avoid crowds. One person is enough to spread the virus.

Watching the number of deaths in America grow by 4,000 to 5,000 a day in the last 3 days is horrifying. It’s hard to wrap it around my head. I am already close to getting depressed due to the realities of this world pandemic.

It’s summer in the Philippines and those with no air conditioning couldn’t help but go out of their homes to get some cool breeze. Here in California I am beginning to see signs of summer. I am hoping that the intense heat would kill or at least slow the spread of the corochinchin virus.

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#inGodwetrust
#covid19
#staysafe
#pandemic

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5 thoughts on “Virus related updates

    1. oh, me calling it corochina doesn’t connote hatred. It’s like the Spanish flu pandemic. I just like calling it that way for now.

      1. You inventing your own Wikipedia! The Spanish flu is in Wikipedia or Google search but there’s no such word Corochina ! Your surname is from Chinese anyway I hope you understand what I mean. God bless us all and may God heal our land.

  1. You are absolutely correct, I just invented the word corochina that’s why it’s not in Wikipedia unlike the Spanish Flu. And yes indeed my two surnames are Chinese sounding because I am half Chinese and my husband is too. My father (Tan) was 4 or 6 when he emigrated to the Philippines with his uncle. And my husband’s father (Yee)was from Hongkong. But this has nothing to do with me wanting to call the virus as corochina virus. One day I will get tired of calling it corochina for sure. Maybe I’ll shorten it to corochin.

    1. Why don’t you stop it now? Why do you want to wait for “One day “ ? If you are inventing your own word . Google the word Racism and even the WHO don’t use the word Corochina because this can constitute an issue having a Pandemic disease not Racism per se.

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