By Nica R. Martin
The recent pandemic has caused disruption in the usual lives of everyone. Works, classes, and other different people’s activities were halted when the entire nation was put under community quarantine. Due to the continuing threat of COVID19, the government authorities have made ways and actions to avoid the spread and protect everyone from the threatening virus. As a Filipino citizen or as a burgoseño, what role can you play in this time of pandemic?
Anchored in the certainty that the state views each other as an integral part of it. Participating in public and civic affairs such as elections and other community-building activities is one of the most important things that everyone must consider to have a meaningful membership in a community. There is a common hurdle that youth and as Burgoseño encounters. It is encountering the discouraging word “you are too young, what can you do in these times?” It is like somewhat removing their right and making them feel the sense that they have something to do. You are not just there to wait for some help from the government. You are more than that. So what can you do? Everyone can be a leader.
First, A good leader is a good follower. It can be somewhat a cliche but still, applicable in everyone’s life. Simply following these protocols can not only save you and the public from the virus. A simple action by an individual but can save and help everyone. Next, staying yourself informed. Being updated on the relevant facts in this time of pandemic is helpful. This will help you to know what to react, what to do and how can you be resilient in the middle of this situation. Everyone can be reactive but not in the sense that you will just move when something happens. Be proactive, so you can plan. Another, spread the news. They say right news is better than good news because there is some news that is good to be true. Right news is always better than good news. Before spreading, verify if the news is true or not so you may not cause confusion, panic, and anarchy. It’s not just you who knows. Help to spread because you don’t know who you can help with the news you know. Next, observing hygiene practices, wearing a mask, and keeping distance is protecting yourself and others from the deadly virus.
Second, This pandemic has caused too much. This pandemic leads us to live in a new normal. This can be a big adjustment to all of us but doubting the default will help us to keep going. Doing something in default yields the same result. In order to live in the new normal, you must know how to adapt to things, how to become innovative and you must accept and take things to make actions. But how can you make actions and how can you be a meaningful member of this society if you’re not healthy? Of course, you need to keep an eye on your health because health is wealth. But it’s not just yourself that you should be concerned about, you also have to regularly check on your family and friends. Remember, it’s not just you who is struggling. A simple hi and hello is a big help. Living in a new normal is not removing social interaction in our lives.
Finally, as a member of this society, your opinion as an individual matter. It’s your basic right and you have to protect it. Throwing your opinion is not just like throwing a piece of paper. Before giving an opinion, you have to educate yourself because an educated opinion matters more than a baseless or ignorant one. You must know about the issues at hand. Remember that a positive and useful opinion matters in society. You should not be afraid because it’s not easy, it’s dangerous, or there is a threat in voicing out your opinions.No. You have to speak up and let yourself be heard. There is no absolute opinion because our freedom of speech is equal. You have to engage yourself in what is happening. You have to share your point of view. You will never know. Voicing out opinions is educating other people. There are things you may know that others know and there are some things they know that you do not know. But you have to open up your mind and you must know your limits.
Our main role as a citizen, as a Burgoseño, and as a youth is not just to listen. We have to do something to make something. Remember the words of Dr. Jose Rizal that the youths are the hope of our fatherland. We are building the world for the new generation. Don’t let them decide for us. We have something to do. We have a lot of things to do. Let us join. Our generation’s present is the future of the new generations.
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