The pandemic, for me, is a struggle itself and I learned several things through it and
because of it. The SARS-COV-2, also known as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in its medical term,
is a severe acute respiratory syndrome that has imposed a new public health crisis. It is a threat to
everyone and is critically affecting the world and its inhabitants. The status of every nation was
at serious risk. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the spread of
the virus will be characterized as a global pandemic briefing that it can infect every country.
Therefore, this established the recommendations of the organization such as travel restrictions,
physical distancing, avoiding crowds, and wearing masks to prevent the transmission of the
disease. The rest of the world had no choice but to adapt to the new normal. Our lives definitely
changed for good. We went through such hard times, especially at the beginning. It was when
everyone did not know what to do. The government was not exactly reliable for information or
solutions either. Therefore, we were struggling in the dark looking for answers to our
uncertainties.
It affected countless people and altered healthcare systems on a global scale. Most countries
followed restrictive measures such as closing businesses, prohibiting social events, home
confinement, and other lockdown protocols to prevent disease transmission and also to contain
the COVID-19 outbreak. Even though these restrictive measures decreased the spread of the
virus, it has caused various alternative risk behaviors. It is also alarming that the outbreak has
affected people in various ways aside from their physical activity such as dietary patterns,
sleeping hours, social habits, and mental health. It is a fact that it can affect everyone and
anyone. The pandemic has transformed and limited food choices and movement. It is also
evident that people have also developed a severe attachment to our technological devices as it is
what connected them to the outside world all this time. Technological devices have become the
primary source of information and mode of communication. The digital transformation or the
increased use of screens, reduced daily physical activity, and sleep habits had individuals of all
ages unhinged. Therefore, people depended on substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and maybe
even drugs during this difficult time. The youth, particularly adolescents, are most vulnerable to
the influence of substance abuse. These were used to alleviate stress or to relieve mental health
symptoms. Nonetheless, these have devastating effects on the body, most significantly in young
people. It was already a problem before but the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely worsened
this particular issue.
Marc Paolo Sollano, a friend of mine personally experienced this list of struggles brought
on by the pandemic and he fought hard to survive it. He had been mentally stressed due to online
classes and had numerous anxiety attacks whenever he feels the threat of the virus. It took him a
while before he became used to online classes and finally learned to make his living and health
condition better. Fear, anxiety, and consciousness have continued to take over him during the
process of adaptation to various online modes of education. He had irregular sleeping habits and
an unhealthy diet which have impacted his motivation and academic success too. Those days had
become alarming that many people struggle with depression and anxiety. It has become prevalent
most especially among our generation. Nonetheless, Paolo remains faithful to God that’s why he
seeks help from Him. As Paolo said, “God is very patient to me that He accompanied me in my
struggle.” He allowed him to cope with his struggles and learn from them. He taught Paolo how
to fight and He gave him wisdom. From Paolo’s perspective, God gave him a love for
photography and he used this gift to conquer all of the uncertainties. It helped him go through the
rough phase and enjoy where he is today. Today, Paolo and I share the same passion for
photography and it really brings joy to me that he conquered it with God.