The First Lockdown

The time of Enhanced Community Quarantine, I am unsure if it is considered lockdown but majority does think it is. Thus, I considered it as a lockdown too. I am in constant worry because of my activities that week, and I don't know what to do.

That day, Tuesday, March 17, it was announced by the President that ECQ will be about a month. No announcements made regarding our needs whether they will provide it or not. I can't see anything from the LGU's Facebook page until it was later posted that each village (barangay) will have its schedule to go to the market to buy our needs. But that night, it was declared that our village would be in a total lockdown or Extreme ECQ for a month. It means we are not allowed to go out of the village, and no schedule was given to go to the market. The reason is an individual from our town was tested positive with Covid19. If I am right, he is the first or second Covid case in our town.

So how about our needs? No announcements are made regarding steps so we can buy our foods and other necessities. We are even told to stay at home so we didn't go out of our yard.

My brother from a nearby village (just around 400 meters away) messaged me at Friday, their schedule to go to the market, and asked for our list of goods to buy. He bought them for us, and handed it at the border. Yes, no one are allowed to cross the border. They also gave us kilos of chicken, pork, and beef. It may not be enough for a month but I stopped worrying because God will provide.

We are waiting for an announcement whether we will be given at least relief goods, or "ayuda" (money) which we can use while on a strict lockdown. However, nothing was announced.

On the third week, finally they had set-up a mini market at the border of our village. When I went there, only few are being sold.

Only a few of them are selling at that time, and other goods are being sold eventually. That's fine as long as we have something to buy. But I noticed the vendors haven't properly worn their masks. Face shields are not required yet at that time.

It's already the third week yet no relief goods yet. On the fourth week, I heard from the neighbor that they received relief goods but they skipped our house. It's disgruntling because everyone are affected, or might be those are distributing it will take those excess packs which one should be ours.

That same week, I noticed the barangay workers distributing relief goods and saw they skipped our house again. Our neighbor told the man doing the distribution to come to our house, and why they skipped. It is the first time that we received relief goods from the government.

Our name isn't also listed at the barangay (village) so my brother went to the hall to have us listed. The social workers should be doing house to house to know who are qualified to receive "ayuda" with Php5k but no one came. I just found out that our neighbor who has no family with him received Php5k twice, and that the wife of the Barangay Captain was being blamed for choosing who should receive the money.

Since the lockdown, I never left home until February this year. That month when I started to prepare for my wedding which started with going to the town hall, and other preparations. I admit, I have been quite complacent at some time but I am more cautious now.

What I learned from this lockdown and whole Covid thing, it brought out the best and the worst of people. Some people has beem generous, and willing to give to the needy. Some people has used people others for their own advantage. What we all need now is the end of this pandemic, but when? Nobody knew but for sure, it will end.

Thank you for reading, and huge thanks to my sponsors below: