The First Day of the Lockdown
by Oliver Carlos
There was a wisp of panic in the air in the first weeks of 2020. The nation was about to enter a new chapter in its history, one that is clouded by fear of the unknown. The Covid-19 pandemic was just beginning at that time. There were news that many people in China have died already of this new disease, and that the virus which causes it was already in the Philippines. To slow down its spread, the government called for a lockdown.
The virus wasn’t called Covid-19 yet at that time. I remember some local reporters called it N-COV. It was after some time that the WHO christened the virus “Covid-19.” Scientists were still unfamiliar with this fast-spreading disease that was said to have originated from Wuhan, China. Since January of 2020, it had been in the news. The first local cases in the Philippines happened in February, and by early March there were a lot of infected people already.
On March 9, my son who was a student in Manila went home to Laguna. The Manila mayor suspended all classes beginning that day. Then the President of the Republic called for a massive lockdown beginning March 15, Sunday. There was an exodus of people going to the provinces, those who didn’t want to get stuck in Metro Manila as nobody knows for how long the lockdown would last. There was also panic buying in grocery stores. People tried to stock up as much food as they can, because we were about to go thru a dark and uncertain future. I could imagine the great mass of people rushing to the groceries and lining up at the counters. I didn’t want to be one of them, so I just stayed home that day.
On March 17, Tuesday, I realized that I had no choice but to join the bandwagon of panic buyers. My wife and I drove to a supermarket around 3 kilometers from where we live. Going back home, we encountered a monster traffic jam, so we detoured using the SLEX, only to get stuck in a bigger gridlock of vehicles. We learned later that the military had an exercise there. They tried a total closing down of the SLEX from all traffic. After some time, they finally opened the highway. We were able to reach home after 4 hours of stand-still traffic.
In the next days, weeks, and months, the hard lockdown tugged along. Our lives had a big change, if it’s permanent or not, we still don’t know. We were really in the dark, not aware of what will happen next. Fast forward one-and-a-half years later, we know some things about the virus already, but we still have to continue being cautious and hopeful of the future. In these times, we really need to stretch our faith in God, that he will take care of us.
Such is the faith of the shepherd boy David when he wrote the world’s most famous psalm. He too, experienced dark chapters in his life, moments of uncertainty and impending danger. Yet he placed his full trust in God, his Shepherd, to carry him thru those dark days. He wrote:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
David must have led his flock across a valley with wolves, bears, and lions. His sheep were vulnerable to an ambush anytime, especially at some blind curve or dark corner. But with the company of an experienced, loving, and powerful shepherd, the flock is safe and secure.
Do you feel you are crossing a dark valley right now? Do you feel alone in your trek? Are you afraid of what lies in the dark? Of what the future holds? Hold on to the Good Shepherd with your faith. Believe that he is holding your hand and covering you from all harm. Claim the peace and security he has promised to those who are his.
