Today is Day 15 of Luzon’s Enhanced Community Quarantine. Two weeks ago, I was in the middle of a therapy session when it was suddenly announced that the initial lockdown of Metro Manila would expand to the rest of Luzon.
“Effective immediately.”
It felt surreal that an apocalypse-like pandemic is actually happening.
Then reality came crashing in. Being a traveling occupational therapist, Monday for me means I am in a clinic in a province different from where my hometown is. To go back to my family, I need to hop on a bus, ride 2 jeepneys, and take a tricycle. The problem was, by the time I got off from work, evening had set in. With the recent announcement, all the buses enroute to Manila (that also pass through my province) abruptly stopped their services. It left me with no choice but to ride a jeepney to get to the town closest to the border of my province.
It was getting late, and there was no public transportation available except tricycles to cross the border. I took the risk and I ended up sitting beside a kind soul. Maybe my guardian angel in disguise, she accompanied me until I settled in a nearby apartelle and only left when I was sure that my family was on their way to fetch me. Arriving home safely, I immediately showered, hoping to wash away my shock and frustration along with the germs from the outside.
I went through a whirlwind of emotions. Guilt for having to bother my family to pick me up in the middle of nowhere. Mad at the government for its limited planning, spontaneous implementation, and questionable empathy. Grateful that I have a roof above my head, clean water, and enough food to get through this ordeal. Disappointed that I lack the capacity to be of help to those in need. Uncertain as it is the first time that this happened to me and everyone else.
The first week was all about orienting myself about this wobbly present. Occupational therapists always emphasize the big influence of routine in our lives and now it is truer than ever. We used to take for granted our monotonous day to day activities only to have a rude awakening that we could actually miss being in a crowded train as we commute to work, the quick run to grab lunch in the nearest fast food chain, and the small talks with our colleagues.
My pre-COVID 19 routine was replaced by Netflix and chill. I have all the time to binge watch the shows on my list and sleep as much as I want. I don’t need to concern myself of being stuck in traffic or that I might arrive late for a therapy session. No reports to be typed. No deadline to fulfill. But despite all these perks,
“I still felt low than high”.
Second week came in and the other hard truths have sunk in. The adults are not just the ones out of their normal routines. The children too. No school. No therapy. Regression is a possibility.
At least in the Philippines, occupational therapy, along with the other allied health professions, have always been provided directly or face-to-face. This would go against the guidelines being implemented to combat the public health emergency. An additional dilemma is that most occupational therapists are consultants and self-employed professionals. No work, no pay resonates to us too.
With our careers put on hold and the progress of our clients at risk, we have to adopt other mode of service delivery. The introduction of teletherapy is a blessing. It is a new territory for both the clinics and therapists but a good start for us. Although I am a bit nervous trying it out this week, it sparks joy in me. Who would have thought that OTs could actually be part of the “work from home” club.
There is an ongoing war against the virus. The best way I could help is to flatten the curve by staying indoors while remaining thankful to the frontliners outside.
“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.”
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
We can get through this together. We will come out united and stronger than ever.
