A tale of how quarantine brings us back to dark history

This quarantine period is the closest we’ve gotten so far from the atrocities of colonizations; powerless, locked in houses and scarce of opportunities. Truly, the blame all falls to the pandemic behind. There were no dictators and massive abuse of powers flashed on the news. But for the Filipino people, this period is a test of freedom.

In the past months, many dispensable businesses were shaken or worse, forced to be closed. A lot of people were losing jobs, especially those in the lowermost portion of the labor triangle. And when we speak of unemployment, it is not just about one person, but rather a family to have no food on their table for the days to come.

Empty stomach knows no law. In the same way that has been proven by those rallying, risking their chance of contracting the virus, on the street just so their voices can be heard. It is ironic, how they were asked to go home for their safety when hunger looms in every corner of it. For some, there are even predators living with them.

As of May 25, 2020, the Department of Justice reported that about 279,166 cybertips regarding online sexual exploitation of children were received during the lockdown of March to May; a 200percent increase compared to the same period last year.

On the other hand, protesting on the street apparently posed more danger than before. Owing to the rising number of cases, the police have enough reason to detain participants said to be violating social distancing measures. Furthermore, the Anti-terrorism Bill, a bill deemed by many as an outright attack on freedom of speech is almost considerably a done deal.

They say that the calm sparks the fountain of ideas. Activists found a way to express themselves in the haven of social media platforms. Day by day, new hashtags emerge amassing discussions on important matters to be considered. For instance, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s guilty verdict on cyber-libel case and Kakie Panglinan’s #HijaAko movement on the innocent role of clothing on sexual assaults.

As people were left to stay at home, many have thought of ways to remedy certain shortcomings. From facilities, transportation, and food donations; the private sector has become pretty helpful nowadays. Some individuals even decided to hold exhibitions and concerts for those in need. Either way, there is a limit to what these people can do, it all lies to the ones with the sovereignty to do so.

If there is one thing this phenomena has taught us, it is to abandon the world of selfishness. We are linked by the interactions of our everyday lives. Just because one cannot feel it, does not mean it is not there. Similar to the manner of this disease, oppression may persist invisibly; there’s always more to the news in front of us. Before we know it, the calm has delivered us to the history we fought very hard to bury.