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BEYOND THE COMFORT ZONE
By: Dr. Peter Paul C. Cubay
With constantly rising COVID-19 cases in the province, how much could you do to get off from your comfort zone? Bohol is widely known in the country as the land of fiesta as it kicks off unveiling its well- preserved curtains from May 1 to the last day of the month or so. It is expected that Boholanos shall be drowned with different sorts of merriments from videoke singing to a fantastic entertainment showcases, from lavish food preparation to extravagant partying and from indiscriminate overspending to a rush hour shopping. But, not this time. The usual get-together and welcome gestures for visitors is apparently on hold as series of lockdowns have been happening in various parts of the province to prevent the drastic surge of COVID-19 cases. If you are a fanatic of concert, disco and foam parties, hold your temper as you never have them anymore these days. Like the past year, the chief executive of the province is expected to issue a mandate for lockdowns to prevent the influx of people who will be tempted to join the ride of the celebration sometimes forgetting the minimum health protocols. Safety is more important than celebrating the traditional ways of thanksgiving. Everyone is well aware that the favorite haunt of the virus is crowd gathering. Where there is a swarm of fiesta goers from various origins, virus is partying from one host to another spreading fast like nobody else can imagine. Fiestas are meant for thanksgiving shared by the family after a blissful year of existence. And since this is an expression of gratitude to the patron saint by every family, a mere gathering among them is all that matters than inviting friends to celebrate together. If we look back the trend of the past days, we can precisely attribute the rising cases of COVID to social gathering and the exodus of people to a common place. We should bear in mind that our enemy is hiding beyond our sight and we just can’t ascertain our safety even if we are covered with several layers of protective equipment. True, we may miss the kind of vibrant festivity we had for the past years, but let us get out from our comfort zone. If the authorities declare for a lockdown restricting transport mobility, then let us religiously obey the order and sacrifice our usual undertakings. An hour of party or so cannot mend the consequence in case of local transmission may take place. Worse, it is not us who will be affected alone but the entire network of people who are there in a place where there is a potential presence of COVID-19 positive patient. Granting that we can afford to feed the entire community of passersby, it is not a practical decision to have them assembled in our homes and fed. It is wiser to send these stuffs to the charity centers or church to feed the famish children walking on the street. After all, we are not just satiating the hunger stomachs of the underprivileged but saving the community from the threat of local transmission. One more point: We cannot see and detect the virus by just seeing the faces or identities of the people around. One may have been infected but asymptomatic. They may appear so vivacious but not entirely healthy as virus may be present in them without our notice. And whether we are susceptible or not, let us accept the fact that we may become carrier of this miniscule enemy and bring this extremely hazardous element to our vulnerable family and loveones. In the light of the continuing threat we are facing, let us uphold our highest form of discipline by avoiding ourselves to the chances of ensuing harm to the people around us. If we have the strongest immune system that protects us from the entry of the virulent enemy, let us think of those who are weaker and sensitive. Neither any of us wants to place everyone in a risky situation. The protocols are nothing without our compliance. If we loosen up our security measures and allow anyone to mingle during fiesta, we are not helping to ease the anguish of our society right now, but putting everyone in utter danger. As Boholano community, let the essence of fiesta reign through our hearts by observing strict prevention from infection. By being sensitive and sympathetic to our fellows, we are giving the best form of thanksgiving to the Almighty of the many blessings received. We, too, shall not exchange our momentary leisure and pleasure to the imminent danger that comes through passivity and callousness. In sacrifice, we survive. In stubbornness, we suffer. Think better!
The social benefits of festivals are more visible and they are just as important to Building community pride teach people new things, and strengthen relationships