The Covid-19 caught the world by surprise. Not even the sophisticated healthcare systems of many rich countries were able to mitigate the deadly effects of the virus. Many lives have been taken away, albeit abruptly.
Even the money of some of the affluent victims did not save them from the pandemic. It reminds us of our vulnerability and immortality.
Economies have been greatly impacted by the disruption of production causing many to lose their jobs. According to Philippine Star, as of 23 June 2020, the pandemic has caused about 230,000 OFWs to lose their jobs. The horrors of Covid 19 continues despite the world trying to return to normalcy.
As of this writing the death toll worldwide has now reached 450, 452 and counting. In the Philippines, it has already claimed 1,186 and counting have already died. There was no time like this as far as my lifetime could remember.
Locally, since the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the operative phrase was: Gala now, abo later. Because that was exactly what is happening. All those who died during this pandemic, whether from Covid or not, are automatically cremated. No physical body is brought home for interment as was the practice before the disease. It was just ash in an urn. No gathering to mourn the dead.
OFWs abroad who died of Covid-19 have the same fate. Due to suspension of flights and offices have closed, processing of papers to bring the ashes back to respective families may take a while.
If there is one thing that we should learn from this, it is that life is indeed fleeting and uncertain.
Given such phenomenon, as OFWs, far from our families, what should change?
There is no other time that concern for our health is more important than now. As workers are starting to go back to work, without the vaccine still, and chances of getting the virus from people who are Covid-19 positive but are not showing symptoms are very likely, it would be a battle of who has better immune system and strong will to live.
If we take our health for granted in the past, if you care about your family who still needs you and wants to see you come alive, then it has to change now. We should give our health the utmost care and attention it deserves. It would be literally, taking care of the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Aside from our health (and sanity), another thing that this pandemic has put to the test is the depth of our pockets. With the travel restrictions, lockdowns and curfews, many industries have stopped operations. Many have lost their sources of income. Yet, prices of goods have gone up, if they are available. We have to stretch the cash that we have and make do with what is available. Yes, it was all about cash. This is indeed the time when the emergency fund that we were supposed to have been building on in the past is put to use. But how many of us has fund for such eventuality, let alone savings? Many predicts that this will happen again (God forbids). Whether that time will come or not, we need to heed the message and set aside a fund for cases like this. Ideally, that which would support for us for six months. But let us not be overly ambitious. Let’s start with one-month subsistence at least.
We, OFWs, in the absence of our immediate and extended families abroad with us, thrive in the company of our friends, peers and co-workers. But with the social distancing policy imposed to help curb the spread of the virus, we have to re-think the ways we socialize. We may need to make use of the available technology such as videocalls, video conferencing and chats, in order to keep in touch with our friends. Also, in consideration of our flatmates, roommates and those sharing accommodations, we should do away bringing guests and visitors in our place, at least while this disease is widespread. This time is not like any other.
Given how deadly this virus can be, another question to ask is, if and when it happens how easy it would be to file for claims due to them. Is there pertinent information (agency, contact numbers, names, accounts and investments) that they should know?
It is also about time we rethink our relationship with our families. Things that we take for granted in the past such as calls and chats to our families, time spent with them, should matter now. As we learned, life can be short. It is for the best that we assure our love ones of our love and support especially at these trying times. We never know.
As head of family, without really asking for it, we should prepare our family for any eventuality. With or without pandemic, our last will and testament should have been written. Taboo as it may seem, but this settles some issues what you want to do with those hard-earned assets.
Until such a time that the vaccine is produced, the social distancing, work from home and skeletal force will be implemented in workplaces as one of the measures to prevent further spread of the virus. Amidst the pandemic, we still need to be (more) relevant at work. We need to be able to adjust to the requirements in the workplace and still be able to deliver. We need to brush up on our skills especially in the use of technology. If you have been dependent on your co-workers for some of the tasks at work, that will have to change if the work is implementing a partial workforce. We should be open to these changes. More than any other time, we need to pray. To thank God that we are still here.
Hi, I'm Cecille. I have been an OFW in KSA for 13 long years. I have been there, done that. I'd say I was lucky because for most of those years, my family was with me. I'd like to share in this blog what makes those years worthwhile, the lessons I learned and bits and pieces of info that may pique your interest as bagong bayani.