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Being a Content Writer

Finding jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic seems very challenging. Due to a social distancing policy and a travel restriction imposed by the local and national governments, we cannot stroll around the city to search for jobs in some brick-and-mortar institutions. We remain at home without doing anything. As well, many companies and large-scale business organizations stop their operations due to coronavirus. As we struggle to find jobs to support our family members, we cannot ignore the fact that we do not have food to serve on the table. As such, we need to secure decent employment.

However, various jobs sprout online. Many companies nowadays decide to migrate their operations and practices. For example, companies will hire academic writers, customer service representatives, graphic designers, online tutors, virtual assistants, web developers, and many others. For that reason, many of these companies cherry-pick some online services and hire applicants to fill their jobs.

I land on a content writer position. I just love writing despite grammar and writing inaccuracies. As a content writer, I handle the creation of convincing and persuasive content online. I write any of the following, namely blog posts, products and service descriptions, social media contents, website copy, and white papers. I just have to tell you that content writing jobs are just fine. I just earn money and support my family by writing compelling content for the company websites.

As a Content Writer, I am accountable for giving the value of the company website by vigorously fetching customers and stakeholders and sustaining a consistent voice for the interrelated brand. For me, I do not know if I can teach again after COVID-19. I just feel that I love writing content for different company websites. I just love the idea of earning money from home. I will no longer feel the stress due to a constant commute. Therefore, being a content writer holds benefits.

Now, I write content for different company websites. I write different topics for different products and services. Since countless projects are available online, I can earn more money than I expect from other streams of income.

For me, the COVID-19 pandemic may be a blessing in disguise. I just realize it when I first received my first salary as a content writer. At the moment, I just enjoy my new job and earn money in the comfort of my home.

If you want to be a content writer, you better start clicking the link below, go directly to the job board, and earn money now.

Please check and register here.

Please also view this article and register here.

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LGBTQ Short Stories to Read at Home

Reading is an adventure. It allows readers to travel back in time and to enjoy in a roller-coaster ride. Some authors know the tricks to charm us with their stories that we let us ride on the vehicle of their thoughts down to our memory lanes. It gives a sense of adventure to know more about people and their characters as the story unfolds.

However, we only read some stories that deal with relationships between men and women. We did not have stories that explore LGBTQ narratives because others did not want to read them.

This time, LGBTQ stories emerge. We humbly offer stories from the different writers who sent their stories to us. We proudly give you the preview of these stories and get some access to the different narratives from the creative minds of the writers. The writers of the story make use of English, Filipino, and the combination of these two languages.

Please subscribe. Get some access to the upcoming LGBTQ short stories. Or order your book now for only $ 2 (2 stories in 1 book). Please drop me a message at <[email protected]>.

Silip

By Cecilia U. Moonblood

“Hello, Ben.” Wika ni Tito Greg. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang boses na iyon. It seemed that Uncle Greg’s voice had already imprinted on my memory disc, which would be hard to forget. Ika nga nila, mahirap alisin o kalimutan ang mga bagay kapag ito ay matagal ng nakalibing or nakabaon sa ating malalim na kamalayan. It is hard to forget and ignore them from our memory banks dahil ang mga bagay na iyon totally drill down from the depths of our subconscious minds. Though this saying sounds redundant, such recollection lies deep within our unconscious state, at marahil ito ay bahagi na lamang ng ating buhay or ng isa sa ating kakaibang karanasan. Sabi nga nila na, we have to keep our dark secrets in our minds dahil bahagi na ito sa ating nakalipas. Sabi nga sa Ingles, it would be easy to leave those matters alone in the dark and to learn to move forward. Kung darating sa buhay ang lahat ng emotional and physical pressures, sabi pa nga nila, we could tell ourselves to let the time foresee what might happen kasi natatakot tayong banggitin ang mga nakatagong sekreto natin. We even kept them in our hidden minds, or we sometimes buried them in oblivion to forget. Kahit anong gagagwin natin to escape from such reality or no matter how hard we try to ignore those dark mysteries in our lives, kusang bumabalik ang mga sekretong ito like flashes of memories ng hindi natin namamalayan. Kusa rin itong darating sa ating ulirat na para bang pinaglalaruan lang tayo ng ating mga tadhana. Marahil ang mga ito ay isang tadhana dahil hindi natin kayang takasan. Ang mga sekretong ito ay nagpapatunay na tayo ay may pagkakamali, dahil minsan, tayo may marupok. We barely did not have any idea where to go and find some places safe and comforting para mawaglit lang natin kahit minsan ang mga bagay na hindi sana natin ginawa. Pero kahit ano pa man, darating tayo sa punto na sasabihin natin na “tama na” o “I give up” dahil hindi na natin ito kayang kalimutan, baliwalain, o takasan. Ito ay dahil tao tayo!

Tumango na lamang ako when Uncle Greg called my name. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kinausap niya ako dahil ilang taon na rin niya akong hindi kinausap. He knew that I did something wrong to him, and he did not even talk to me ever since. I could not believe why he spoke to me for the first time after the incident. At first, I thought he forgot everything many years ago, but I would be certain that he did not. May kaunting inis ang kanyang mga tingin. As I looked into his eyes, I could understand how he felt. Those brown and charismatic eyes relayed a message to shut me off forever. He did not want to talk to me ever. Perhaps, he is now forced to communicate with me pretending that nothing happened seven years ago. Nagawa ko ang isang bagay na para sa iba at sa karamihan ay isang taboo and immoral. Technically, I raped my uncle. Conversely, it would be ridiculous to imagine how a young boy sexually and orally raped his uncle. But I did. There would be no police officers who would take that as real. I was just thirteen, and hindi ko alam ang mga pinagagawa ko. Sa isip ko ngayon, I am twenty-one now, na ang mga bagay na iyon ay parang isang na lamang guni-guni. Pero bakit ba hindi ako makalimot. Friends from school told me to let go and move on, nevertheless, I could not move a muscle to ignore these episodes in life. I could not think of any way to escape this past kahit na sinubukan ko. I was still haunted by his presence. Now that he came back, I would see him in my house again, hindi ko alam ang pwedeng mangyayari – mag-imikan ba kami o hindi. Things may happen na para bang it exists the way it was. Sa isip ko, baka nakakalimutan na ng Tito. O hindi naman kaya ay iisipin na lamang niya na ang bagay na iyon as isang bangongot sa kanyang nakaraan. No one can tell. He may have reasons to tell or keep it as a secret. Pero nagawa niyang ilibing ang nakaraang iyon for eight years… To be continued.

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Tikim

By Poseidon A. Wintergarden

“Nakakaasar na talaga!”

That is what I thought about Rob. Sino ba ang magkakagusto sa mga ginagawa niya. He just barged in and struck a conversation with the group. Ewan ko, basta naasar lang talaga ako.

Para siyang preskong-presko na lagi nalang nagpapa-twitams. Ang ibig sabihin ng nagpapa-twitams ay nagpapa-cute. Pero teka lang. Totoo nga naman talaga na cute itong Rob. Hindi mo pwedeng ipagwalang-tabi na lang. Eh kaso, ako lang talaga siguro ang may ayaw sa kanya. Kasi naman, lahat ng tao sa grupo ay hangang-hanga sa kanya.

“Nice to meet you all,” bati niya sabay smile. Ako naman, nakatingin lang sa kabilang direksyon dahil ayaw ko siyang tingnan. Sometimes, I pretended to be someone else na parang hindi siya kilala.  That was my defense mechanism para ayaw masaktan. At saka, hindi naman ako nanakit ng tao. However, it was difficult. It was hard not to talk to him because he spent effort and time getting my attention. He always made some moves for people to talk to him.

“Hi. Ang tahimik mo naman.” Ang sabi niya. Nakabaling na ang tingin ko sa kanya.

“Yes, Rob! Ano ang ipaglilingkod ko sa iyo.” Iyon ang sakartiko kong sagot. Kahit papano, nakuha ko pa rin siyang kausapin. Kung sa bagay, wala naman talagang ginawa niya para magalit ako.

“Ang sungit mo naman. Nangungumusta lang.” Wika niya. Tinapik niya ang shoulder ko as a sign na aalis siya. Pagkatapos, pumunta na siya sa kasamahan namin para makipag-kwentuhan. Kwentuhang lalaki at tropa lang. Kung tutuusin, mabait na man talaga siya. Meron lang kasi akong insecurities sa buhay at sa mababang self-esteem ko. Takot kasi akong ma-reject sa friendship kasi talagang ayaw ng iba sa akin. Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit picky ako….

To be continued.

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Jack on the Rocks and Armand de Brignac Champagne

By Andrew L. Mountainhigh

I hated him.

Hindi ko maikubli ang inis at galit sa kanya.

He just left and shut himself up for years. He said he would come back after his work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. However, he did not say goodbye to me. He did not have a chance to talk to me or vice versa.

For me, he could be the nicest person I had ever met. He was charming. His smile has always been magnetic. My friends and I would laugh and smile at him every time he made jokes. Months after, he suddenly disappeared in silence. He just vanished when I started to like him…

To be continued.

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Barkley, the Dog

By Achilles N. Dawsonsummer

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagtitilihan ang mga kababaihan sa daan malapit sa bahay ni Donya Cecilia. Kahit mga dalagita ay nagkandarapa din ng pagsulyapsulyap doon sa isang bahay. Lalo na iyong mga single mothers at ang mga malalanding matatanda din.

Para kasing may artista na dumating galing Maynila. Pero parang kakaiba. Sabi kasi sa mga nakasalubong ko, may bagong dating daw sa paupahang bahay ni Donya Cecilia. Nahihiya man akong lumapit, pero gusto ko na ring makibalita. Nagmamasid lang ako at nakikikuha ng balita.

Mula sa veranda doon sa isang rental apartment ni Donya Cecilia, nakaupo ang isang lalaki. Nakatingin siya mga tao na dumadaan doon. Hawak-hawak niya ang kanyang alagang aso. Minsan may nakapagsabi na nakatingin lang siya minsan sa kawalan. O kaya naman ay kumaway lang siya para ipakita ang pagtugon na nakita niya ang taong kumaway sa kanya as a sign of respect…

To be continued.

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Running a Small Business

Are you looking for jobs in brick-and-mortar institutions or are you running your small businesses after graduation?

According to my friend, which name I will not mention, 90% of wealth in the world is in business and 10% is in employment.

I am not going to say that my friend is right. However, I can only presume that he is based on my observation. For example, in the parking area in malls and stores, those various fancy and sporty cars are not owned by office workers, teachers, and the like. Those fancy cars are owned by business individuals and professionals. That is, running a business is better than finding employments in the brick-and-mortar institutions.

Twenty years ago, my parents told me to study well and get jobs in various prestigious companies here and abroad. They got jealous by our neighbors whose daughters and sons landed on their dream jobs in Nestle Company, STEAG Corporation, Del Monte Philippines, and many others. Many of our neighbors’ daughters and sons got their cars and big houses. Of all those things I mentioned, we had not had ours.

So, I studied harder than I used to burn my midnight candles. I spent years in college and landed in a decent company. However, I only earned a minimum wage. I could not afford to buy medicines and other basic needs. All prices have gone up, but my salary could not cover the costs of all daily expenses. For me, I had to think and reevaluate my decisions because the next step in doing such actions would be crucial.

I stopped working. I just submitted my resignation letter and packed all my office things. I started as a freelance writer and built my niche. Five years after, I divested into another pathway. I built my small start-up business and asked a friend to create a website for me. For me, this decision could be a good start.

Leaving my job in the brick-and-mortar institution was a risky thing to do. However, I would say I was right. I could be the same person now if I did not try to do things outside of the ordinary. So, I ran a business.

    • Small book store for locals
    • Small sweet and pastry shops
    • Small laundry shops
    • Small academic writing services
    • Small coffee shops
    • Small document and photo printing services
    • Small editing firms
    • Small business with a mixture of the above in one store

Now, I am free from morning buzzes from my boss. I am free from humiliation and scrutiny from fellow workers. I am now at peace. Had I known that leaving my job has been beneficial, I would have decided and done it before. Now, I enjoy the moment. Yes, I exert much effort to survive the business, but all business owners do the same.

Finally, running my startup business is the best decision I make. My parents are happy about it. To all of you who live your life in hell every day because of the attitudes of your fellow workers and bosses, get yourself out that hellish shell and build and run your own business. Of course, there may be highs and lows along the way, but it is okay. You learn from every decision you make and you become even stronger. You will not feel embarrassed about anything because it is your own business that you are operating, not your demanding and worrying boss.

P.S. Photo taken from money.com

 

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Being a Freelance Writer

I always thought that I could only find jobs in brick-and-mortar institutions. That was what my parents told me. “You know what son? You have to study hard to secure employment in well-known companies here and abroad.” This life of thought from my parents reverberated in my ear and pushed me to study even harder to reach my goals.

Yes, I finished college in Musuan, Bukidnon. I got a job after graduation in Cagayan de Oro. However, it seemed very frustrating to receive ₱10,000.00 a month for an entry-level position. I questioned myself if I deserved to earn that after spending four years in college. For me, such an amount of money could not cover the costs of all household expenses, as well as medicine and basic needs.

So, I enrolled at my Master’s Degree. I had to finish another two years to earn another degree program to augment my income. From ₱ 10,000.00 to ₱ 14,000.00 a month. For me, it was not enough. I had to take jeepneys and buses going back and forth for work. I supported my parents who had not had pension plans. Then, I had to buy their medications and other personal needs. Therefore, the four thousand pesos increase in my salary could not improve my situation. I could say that since I struggled a lot.

At some point, I thought I had to pursue a Doctoral Degree. However, the tuition and matriculation fees were high. I could not afford to cut the budget for my parents’ medications. I do not want to reduce the expenses for our food either. For me, I had to stop planning for my doctoral studies.

One day, I saw myself pressing the start button of the desktop computer in the school office. It was lunchtime. After eating, I tried to search for jobs online. I keyed in the text “Being a Freelance Writer” and got hooked into it. I did not know what had just happened. My hands were drawn in the keyboard and began filling up the blank bars on the computer screen. I just signed up for one company site.

Two weeks after, I received an email from the company site. I passed the company test. The company informed me that I might start the writing job as soon as I could. So, I did. That time changed my life forever.

After three years of working as a freelance writer, I was able to build a two-story house for my parents. I managed to buy a second-hand car. I did not have any debts to pay. Though I did not get rich, I could say that I changed my life. Earning money for times more than the money I earned from the brick-and-mortar institutions was good. I did not have to brag since other freelance writers and other freelance experts earned more than what I earned. They had six figures; I had five. For me, it was good.

Now, I had to be honest with you guys and gals. Being a freelance writer changed me. I did not want to work in brick-and-mortar institutions anymore. Besides, I gained benefits from working as a freelance writer.

Finally, if you want to be a freelance writer, you will experience a salary hype. I bet you do. I take all the risks. It is exciting. Please choose any of the following websites and apply now:

 

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Should DepEd and CHED Stop the Classes this Calendar Year 2020-2021?

Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines (May 5, 2020) – The growing number of COVID-19 cases and patients continued to produce panic and shock among people.

Government leaders and healthcare providers, as well as concerned individuals, exerted much effort in producing vaccines and treatments to cure patients. They even enforced policies that could curb COVID-19 cases. For one thing, the coronavirus did not exist to be funny that government leaders and healthcare administrators would change their guidelines from time to time. It existed to cause harm and fatality, and it would demand all people to be serious about it. With 1.91 million confirmed cases in the United States and 616 thousand confirmed cases in Brazil as of May 5, 2020, at 6:17 PM Philippine Standard Time, COVID-19 did, however, create horrors and nightmares that left us hanging.

Everyone got shuddered. All did. However, others just ignored the presence of COVID-19. They did not follow the “social distancing” and “stay at home” policies since they struggled to survive in life. Yes, they sometimes listened to the “stay-at-home policy,” but they did not have jobs to earn money to support their families. They had to break the rules to live despite the threat of the pandemic. Even if the government provided assistance and support to the citizens, hundreds of thousands of people did not receive their simulation packages or social amelioration program (SAP). The Philippine government has done the best actions and measures to do; however, it nosedived in providing assistance and support to all citizens.

Now, the class opening is approaching. Some regions go back to “new normal,” a new term during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other places only have a “social distancing” and “no face-mask, no entry” policies. Today, local radio news cited that parents were divided. A few parents were fine to have online education for their pupils and students. Many others rejected the idea of online learning since pupils and students, according to parents, would only play their computer games and search for other unnecessary and violent video games.

Parents who had to go to the office were afraid of the possible scenario that their children could access undesirable websites, such as p*rn sites and violent video games sites. Most of the parents said that the government and the Department of Education (DepEd), as well as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should decide to discontinue the classes for Calendar Year 2020-2021. Should this be practical? Should government leaders, DepEd, CHED, and parents stop the classes for this current year?

Perhaps, government leaders, DepEd, CHED, and parents should consider some factors before deciding on discontinuing the classes for Calendar Year 2020-2021. They should realize the benefits of online education. Please check the data below.

Table 1. Online Education and its Benefits and Drawbacks
No. Drawbacks Benefits
1 Parents cannot sometimes monitor their children who study their lessons and take the examinations. Parents feel confident that their children are safe compared to traditional classroom learning.
2 Pupils and students have the luxury of time to do unnecessary materials and stuff online without supervision from parents and teachers. Pupils and students can easily access the files and take the tests at home. As well, they can easily ask support from their family members and parents some questions related to the tests.
3 During the tests, teachers do not know who takes the examination questions. Somehow, pupils and students ask someone to answer the tests for them so that they can pass the current course programs. Pupils and students can participate in family discussions and household chores since they study at home. This alternative to learning fits for the stay-at-home policy and social distancing policy.
4 The results of the examinations may not be valid due to the nature of the online tests. In other words, teachers need to think of other alternatives to conduct a one-on-one video chat to supplement the written test online. Online education saves money for transportation, books, and other resources. It creates an atmosphere that allows pupils and students to take the course programs in the comfort of their homes.

Table 1 above provides ideas concerning the advantages and the shortcomings of online education. There may be other ideas relevant to the discussions; however, you need to decide. Should government leaders, DepEd, CHED, and parents stop the classes for this current year? If you asked me, government leaders, DepEd, CHED, and parents should, instead, enrich DepEd and CHED to create a new platform to support online education and continue the classes for Calendar Year 2020-2021. What do you think?

Data Source: https://news.google.com/covid19/map?hl=en-PH&gl=PH&ceid=PH:en

Photo Source: https://www.getzelos.com/blog/how-plan-online-camp/

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Why Should Everyone Uphold the Functions of the Commission on Human Rights

In the challenge of time and in the rise of forces and power, the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as its commissioning country members around the world, should stand against terrors and violations.

Of course, we should not let another nightmarish history of genocide or holocaust to explode in the broadcast and print media. We cannot allow another massacre in Rwanda that killed 800,000 people. We cannot afford to witness another human life to die out of terrorism and violations.

This time someone or one group of force should say, ENOUGH.

The creation of the United Nations Human Rights Council serves as the greatest step to protect the rights of all citizens of the world regardless of their differences. Without any question, these fundamental human rights are inherent in all human beings, without exceptions, around the globe.

The establishment of the Human Rights Council as an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system strengthens the power to promote the protection of all rights of human beings. As today, there are 193 member countries of the United Nations, which has 47 States answerable for the advancement and protection of all human rights.

The country members of the United Nations have roles to connect and sustain their relationships with the United Nations. All members, by any means, are compelled to perform their functions and roles to establish their independence and power to protect the citizens of the world regardless of the differences.

The United Nations Human Rights Council is independent. It can discuss and explore all human rights issues, situations, and topics that demand further focus and attention. In all countries where the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) exists, the Chairperson and the commissioning members must uphold their duties free from prejudice. The CHR has to stand against all forms of human rights violations.

Based on the United Nations mandate, all people in the world have inherent rights to live their lives free from harm and torture. These human rights are innate to all human beings, irrespective of their ethnicity, language, nationality, race, religion, sex, or the like.

People must know and realize the concept, relevance, and significance of human rights. These rights take an account of the right to life and independence. As well, these rights include freedom from oppression and torment, freedom of outlook and expression, the right to work and education, and the like. In other words, all people regardless of their differences deserve freedom and a sense of independence without any discrimination. In all countries where human rights commission exists, people have to play their roles to examine, endorse, or defend human rights.

If this situation happens, the Commission on Human Rights should not perform their functions and roles by the dictate of other powerful groups. The Commission should stand firm and strong to perform their functions and roles by the rulebooks.  All government leaders should guarantee the financial budget for the Commission to operate. Even if government leaders did not like the presence of the Commission of Human Rights, they could not do something. They should respect the power of the CHR to investigate, promote, and protect all people in the world.

To summarize, government leaders should not override the independent power of the Commission to review all forms of violations committed by various groups. As well, the Commission should not take sides. The Commission and its members should understand that their functions and roles in office have been difficult and even tough. Even if they clash opinions and viewpoints of the government, the CHR should stand against any forms of injustices and human rights violations.

 

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Understanding Propositions of Fact, Policy, and Value

Initial Thoughts

Understanding propositions will remain indispensable knowledge to gain in the study of argumentation and debate, as well as logic. This topic about proposition helps speakers and thinkers determine whether the statements they are arguing are true or false. Using the Aristotelian logic helps logicians and ordinary people think and decide on things to make judgments of details and ideas. Of course, the task to unravel the definition and meaning of proposition requires skills since propositions of any type will demand specific attention, focus, and research. With enough research and understanding of the forms and structures of propositions, any person can logically recognize propositions and categorize them whether to affirm or deny the statements of fact, policy, or value.

Proposition of Fact

Logicians and language experts completely understand the concept of propositions of fact. As stated, propositions of fact are statements that will focus largely on philosophies and then principles of the listeners to declare the falsity and veracity of the statements. The arguments presented by the speakers can drive attract and hook the listeners to pay attention and validate the incorrectness and authenticity of the statements. With the propositions of fact, logicians and language experts can admit or discard the falsity or reliability of the statements. For example, logicians and language experts argue on the propositions of fact:

    1. COVID-19 pandemic disrupts both brick-and-mortar and online businesses.
    2. Business organizations suffer a lot from the upsetting COVID-19 pandemic.

Proposition of Policy

Logicians and language experts will always comprehend the forms and structures, as well as the aims of propositions of policy. This proposition of policy requires some people to act. As mentioned, propositions of policy call people to act on something – decisions and judgments. Propositions of policy, in other words, allow listeners to determine whether or they take action on something. Regardless of the desirability of the statements, listeners take action. For example, logicians and language experts may propose somewhat beneficial.

    1. Government leaders and healthcare providers should work together to resolve the depressing impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
    2. Policymakers and healthcare leaders should discover feasible plans to aid all citizens to have viable healthcare and medical services plus to have simulation packages due to social distancing policy and travel restrictions.

Proposition of Value

Logicians and language experts introduce the third category or type of a proposition. Propositions of value focus on the promise statements to deliver to listeners. These propositions allow the speakers to induce listeners to pay attention to the value of something. In other words, propositions of value aim at urging potential listeners why ideas, products, and services are of value. For instance, logicians and language experts propose the statement: Buying this e-Book is advantageous for readers.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, knowing the forms and structures of propositions, as well as their intentions, helps speakers accomplish their goals and objectives. Learning the types of propositions, as well, help speakers realize the importance of propositions whether to confirm or reject facts, act based on policies, or deliver the promises of the products and services. Finally, whatever speakers do, they will only accept or deny the propositions.

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Is Social Distancing Policy Effective?

In the Philippines, the concept of Social Distancing has been around for months.  Government leaders and healthcare experts joined in their mission to curb the COVID-19. They formed groups and worked together to enforce laws to instruct all people to stay indoors. People could not go outside and assemble some groups with friends to flatten the COVID-19 . They could not even go to the cinemas, churches, friends’ houses, malls, parks, and other business and social institutions. Individuals aged 20 years old and below and 60 years old and above have been prohibited to roam around and walk with people. Government leaders, as well as healthcare professionals, did enforce that diktat to curtail the spread of the virus.

Are we doing the right thing? This question came to mind since the government leaders in the country kept on changing the mandate from ECQ to GCQ to ECQ again. This mandate came from the national government units (NGUs) to the local government units (LGUs). For example, some regions in the country did impose the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ); whereas, others were on the general community quarantine (GCQ). Depending on where the epicenter and what the number of cases of COVID-19 was, government leaders were on the verge of going the situations back to normal. However, things would never be the same, so the government leaders and healthcare professionals called it “new normal.” It seemed funny though that COVID-19 created panic and tension among people – poor and rich alike.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructs healthcare providers and specialists to implement the keep-your-distance policy to slow down the spread of the virus. According to the site, limiting face-to-face contact with others becomes the best way to shrink the spread of COVID-19. The question now is on the effectiveness of social distancing policy. Before we answer that, we need to define and describe social distancing as a policy. Firstly, social distancing known as physical distancing means isolation. It keeps people’s distance. Secondly, social distancing is about two or more people with masks on six (6) feet apart. This condition, indeed, explains why two or more people keep their space between them.

Government leaders and their partners, such as the Department of Health (DOH) and other established agencies and units give directives to practice social or physical distancing:

    • Stay at least 6 feet or about 2 arms’ length from other people.
    • Self-isolate and make sure to avoid further contact with others.
    • Do not form groups and meet people in groups.
    • Stay out of jam-packed places and circumvent mass assemblies.
    • Stay at home.

Ngayon, nagawa na natin ang lahat na precautinary measures. Bakit nandiyan pa rin ang COVID-19. It seemed it would stay anyway. Marami pa rin ang nagkasakit. Hindi man siguro dahil sa katigasan ng ulo kung bakit ang iba ay nagkaroon ng virus.

If we continue to keep our distances and wait for simulation packages or Social Amelioration Program (SAP), what will happen to us? Hindi kasi lahat ng tao nabibigyan, nakatanggap ng SAP, or ng ayuda galing sa gobyerno.

Now, I am not sure if social distancing is effective to curb the spread of the virus. Some people need to find jobs, especially for the poorer of the poor and the poor themselves, as well as the lower-income middle class and the middle class. Since the government officials in the Philippines only support the poorest of the poor, what happens to the rest of the people considering that some industries and businesses have been under quarantine periods?

Regardless of the term lock-down or quarantine, we need to ask. Is social distancing policy effective? In what way it is effective. Please let me know by writing us back!

Source Photo by Ron Chang:

    • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
    • https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/life-health/256528-intermittent-social-distancing-better-than-one-off-implementation-coronavirus
    • https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/18/social-distancing-for-church-goers/
    • http://tbs.seoul.kr/eFm/newsView.do?typ_800=N&idx_800=2391520&seq_800=