Stable Mind? Unbalanced!
As the CoViD-19 pandemic swept the world, we have seen how far is the gap between the raged and the rich. Not only to the place where they sleep and clothes they wear to comfort them, but also to the condition of their minds under the quarantine.
Peace of mind is like a gem — with the outside world looking Dystopian as if it was abandoned for a long time, plus the depressing news flashing on the TV screens, you could consider yourself a millionaire by possessing it.
The sad reality is, only those who are entitled with luxuries could attain that. It seems like these people have no worries if they will see the sun shine tomorrow.
Instead, all the things they do are spending the available time bonding with their family (with the likes of playing in board games or making arts and crafts), watching movies or shows on Netflix, and learning new things just like what various celebrities are focusing on right now.
But the poorest of the poor have another fate waiting for them. They are puzzled as to where to get the money they could use to buy their needs daily, especially with jobs and transportation hampered by the pandemic. They are scared for the future of their little ones as the opening of classes under the new normal is approaching.
While there was panic buying as a result of the announcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the unfortunate ones cannot do so. They cannot purchase groceries to ensure a month worth of meals since they do not have enough money in their pockets.
Even their mental state did not spare them. The poor (and everyone else affected by the pandemic) is suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions as days pass by. They feel the burden, carrying all these problems in their shoulders.
A taxi driver interviewed by ABS-CBN once said:
“Mahirap maging mahirap.”
The pandemic brought the opportunity to see how far is the gap between the poor and the privileged. It it is not easy to go to the other side due to the wall that thickened between all of us. However, if you are able to cross the gap, it is easy to fall down a figurative creek knowing our circumstances. It is just that, maybe after these dark days, those who are on the throne could find a way to destroy the wall or to fill the big creek, as people are unable to progress because of the impact on the system they have created for a very long time.
