This is not academic paper. This is mainly a reflection of the author during the corona virus outbreak. This paper deals mainly with the subsequent effects of the outbreak.

1. COVID-19 THE CRISIS THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD.
Ever since our existence, we have always desired not only to live the good life or the pursuit of other life’s
perks but primarily the escape from death. Humanity has since desired to prolong life, circumvent disease
and even put a stoppage to death but nature has a very grim way of reminding man of the truth. Diseases
like the black death, the Spanish flu, and many others are a reminder to all of us that we are finite beings.
And in our generation, we have a new reminder of that reality: Covid-19.
Covid-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is truly the 21st century’s pandemic. Like any
disease, it all started somewhere, and in this case- China. Slowly the disease has crept out of the borders of
China and travelled into other parts of the world. When the disease has become a full-blown crisis, the
world was shocked: no one was prepared. The reality is, here in the Philippines before the lockdown the
last major issue was whether to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN (a local multi-media company) it was only
at the last minute that the government realized that it had to create measures to prevent, control and
eradicate the disease. People were thrown into panic mode when the community quarantine was
announced and the subsequent effect? Many. Not all took the advice of the government to stay in their
homes, others retorted to propaganda and conspiracy theories. Even when the government had gone to
stricter methods some continued to play the dumb, blind and deaf apes. Now they blame the government.
From around the globe, the damage is also felt. Hundreds and thousands are reported dying everyday1,
losses of jobs and financial supports are rampant as well. Social anxiety runs rampart on news: medical
workers rallying for the lack of support and funding from their government i.e., Pakistan2 and New York3;
leaders blaming others for the problem (Trump blaming WHO for being too “China-centric”)4 and many
others.
Covid-19 crippled economies.Fromfirst world countriesto third world countries,this crisis did not choose
who to prey. It challenged social machinations to level the playing field and yet COVID-19 is still one step
ahead of everyone. Those in the field of science and medicine scrabble through searching for an answer
and although they have gone closer to the answer, doubt ensues5. Fake news also ran amuck challenging
the media, the government and the people to sift through the debauchery of lies6. Opportunists and
propaganda gamblers also try their stake to shake the government and the people. But most importantly,
the continuous uphill battle of everyone-the government, the medical staff and the people are yet far from
over.
However, faced with all these problems people learn and adapt. Perhaps for the longest days of our lives
(whilst in quarantine), we havelearnedsomethings fromof old.We haverelearnedthetrue valueof family,
since we cannot go anywhereelse outside. Wehave relearnedto pauseandreflect (and to pray),something
the “old world” never had because of our busy schedules. Countless are the lessons that we have learned
(perhaps relearned) from this pandemic.
This Covid-19 may bring bout new enigmas and fears to many of us. The post-Covid-19 world will never
be the same. New lessons will be learned and adapted such as reimagining the health care system,
education, economic system, etc. The effect of this Covid-19 will again push us to another “new normal.”
Life as we know it will not be the same.
Covid-19 will go down in history. The question whether if it will be forgotten or not is vague but surely this
crisis will challenge future societies to rethink of their values and commitments. Surely a hundred years
from now, a new challenge will arise and people will look unto us for hope and strength. This crisis which
we have now marks the end of the old world and opens the door for a new one.
Michael Ray Angelou Q. Chiquillo
1 Cf. https://coronavirus/jhu.edu
2 https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/04/pakistan-arrests-doctors-protesting-coronavirus-medical-gear-
200297092323621.html
3 https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/healthcare-workers-rally-for-coronavirus-gear-at-harlem-hospital/
4 https://www.com/news/2020/04/trump-threatens-deny-funding-world-health-organization-200408012719572.html
5 https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/doctor-note-chloroquine-drugs-treat-coronavirus-200326055608185.html
6 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/30/fake-news-coronavirus-false-information