Life in the Time of Pandemic

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After much thought, I cancelled my trip to Italy this summer. It was supposed to be a tour of the Lombardy region which has become the epicenter of the country’s coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Within a few weeks, the virus has spread all over Italy causing more than 4,000 deaths, the most of any country in the world. In an attempt to slow down the spread of the virus, the government has imposed a national quarantine advising the population to stay at home and closing schools and most businesses.

The World Health Organization has already declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic after it has gained a foothold in 186 countries and territories around the world.

In the U.S.. Pres. Trump has consistently downplayed the threat and believed it would go away as temperatures warm. He has been inclined to go with the far-right thinking that the whole thing is overblown created by the “deep state” to hurt his reelection chances.

As the number of infections across the nation has surged, however, he has somewhat changed his rhetoric. According to New York Times, with more testing being done, at least 17,962 people have tested positive for coronavirus and at least 239 patients have died.

“My administration,” he said in a recent press briefing, “is recommending that all Americans, including the young and healthy, work to engage in schooling from home when possible, avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people, avoid discretionary travel and avoid eating and drinking in bars, restaurants, and public food courts.”

Without these actions, an epidemic modeling group at Imperial College London warned 2.2 million people in the United States could die.

In California where I live, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all California residents to stay home, except as needed for certain essential activities with no end date in place. Allowable activities outside the home include getting food, caring for a relative or friend, and getting necessary health care or critical medical supplies. Outdoor recreation and exercise are also allowed as long as social distancing and other “common sense” preventive measures are followed. Do they impinge on our individual liberty and freedom of choice? For sure, they do. But under the circumstances, they’re necessary for the common good.

Without these mitigation efforts, the governor projects that 25.5 million in California will contract coronavirus. We need to come together to face this crisis.

I see the world evolving as a result of this pandemic. Our society will be transformed and the way we interact with each other changed forever. For the better or worse? Only time could tell.

As for my cancelled trip to Italy, the tour company has refused to refund the deposit I already paid. The best they could do was give me an equivalent credit for a future tour which is fine with me.

A Lesson Learned

 
After receiving two consecutive five year extensions by mail, it was time to renew my driving license at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

It was an experience that I wanted to avoid. It could be intimidating and stressful to a point because of the big crowd and the need to take both a vision test and written test.

My first day’s visit to the DMV was a total waste. I forgot to bring my Social Security Card and was asked to go back.

On my second visit, I was able to meet all the requirements: Social Security Card, passport, and two bills showing proof of my current residence. After being in line for sometime, I was given a number and waited for my turn.

It took a couple of hours before my number was called. After my papers were checked at the counter, I underwent the vision test to prove that I have at least 20/40 acuity with either one or both of my eyes. I was asked to look at the chart on the wall and read lines of numbers and letters on it. The result was inconclusive. I had to do it again by looking into a machine for the test. This time around, I passed.

Then I waited for my picture to be taken. When my turn came, I was asked to take my glasses off and smile. I didn’t think it would be of much help. I expected it to be worse than my high school graduation picture what with all the tension and anxiety building inside me.

Afterward I waited for my name to be called for the written test. After about an hour, I got the call. It required answering correctly 15 out of 18 questions on a touch screen terminal.

Since I considered myself as a good driver, I thought it would be a cinch and didn’t need the three chances given to pass it. I was sure I would breeze through it without any problem.

On my first attempt, however, I failed. It felt like a slap in the face.

When asked if I wanted a second chance, I said yes without hesitation. Big mistake. I failed again.

In desperation along with my bruised ego, I asked the administrator to allow me the last and final shot to pass. But she suggested that I better go home and study first.

I heeded her advice. I knew what was at stake. If I failed this time around, I had to start all over again. I didn’t want to do that because of the risk of failing another vision test which would require me buying a new pair of glasses.

I got a copy of the California Driver Handbook and spent two grueling days poring over it. I didn’t remember studying that hard since I prepared for the Microsoft Certified System Engineer exam.

When I went back to the DMV to take the test, I was ready more than I could ever be. Needless to say, I passed. After reaching the 17th question with only one wrong answer, I got the Congratulations Message on the screen and didn’t have to continue anymore. It felt like a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders.

If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it’s not to underestimate any task on hand. Never take anything for granted. Like a Boy Scout, be always prepared.

A Victory That Wasn’t

 
Ahead 20-10 and 11:57 minutes left in the game, the 49ers intercepted the Chiefs QB Mahones for the second time.

It looked like game over for the Chiefs. This led some 49ers to run to the end zone and celebrate what they thought would be an imminent victory.

But it wasn’t meant to be. Although the 49ers had Mahones on the ropes, it proved that he still had more in the tank to bring his team back to life.

Down two scores, he performed his magic and rallied his team to three unanswered touchdowns in a span of six minutes to beat the 49ers 31-20.

“Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched,” according to Aesop. It’s one lesson that we can learn from the last Super Bowl. The other is to have heart, never give up, and fight to the end as excemplified by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who eventually emerged as the champions.

The 49ers are a young team belonging to a class organization. Perhaps they can be forgiven for this undue exuberance this time around? I’m sure they have realized that it was plain childish and that it won’t happen again.

In Memoriam: Kobe and Gianna Bryant

Kobe and Gianna Bryant/Getty Images

 
Kobe Bryant is dead. It reminds us that death is something we have to face sooner or later. It behooves that we cherish every moment we have with our loved ones.

Kobe died in a helicopter crash last Sunday together with his 13-year old daughter, Gianna, and seven others on board.

In the movie “Serendipity,” we learned that the ancient Greeks didn’t write obituaries. After a man died, they only asked one question, “Did he have passion?”

For sure, Kobe had passion making him one of the most feared competitors in the basketball court. When he retired from the game he so loved, he was rated as the #7 Best NBA Player of all Time.

With all his accomplishments in the NBA, he’ll also be remembered for showing the same passion in his off-court activities in business and charity work and, most importantly, in his role as a devoted family man, husband, and father.

As fate would have it, Kobe and Gianna died on their way to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, for a youth basketball event.

At 41, it feels surreal to see him gone. At the same time, we can only mourn the untimely passing of his young daughter with her promise unfulfilled.

One Ordinary Day

 
Today I walk to the post office to mail a holiday greeting card. Since Christmas Day is past, it may appear a little late, but not really. In my native country, the Christmas season doesn’t end until the Feast of the Epiphany on the first Sunday of the year. Besides, I know the recipient will understand.

It’s 10:30 a.m. The sun is up and shining bright, but with the temperature hovering in the upper 30s, there’s hardly any pedestrians and dog walkers in sight. By contrast, the main street is busy with anxious drivers eager to beat the red light. They show impatience and don’t hesitate to blow their horns at so-called Sunday and holiday drivers who get in the way.

The post office is a mile from my house. As I saunter on the way, I ponder on the year that’s about to end. What an uneventful year it was! It would be remembered mostly as the year my mother passed away in the Philippines. I wasn’t able to attend the funeral. Since I live in the U.S., I could only wish my sister had given me more time to book and prepare for the trip. Scheduling the burial five days after her death just didn’t cut it. Needless to say, it made me angry and sad.

It’s my fervent hope that the coming year will bring peace to our family. May it allow us to rise above our petty differences and learn to forgive and forget and move on. After all, we’re family and there’s nothing we can do about it.

After mailing the card at the post office, I have decided to go to the nearby food court for my favorite comfort food. On a cold day like this nothing compares to a hot noodle soup. Bon appétit!