Let’s start with a prayer for strength in these trying times: “Dear Lord, I come before You and ask for Your strength within me. A strength not of the world but of Your kingdom. To refrain from judgment and feast on love. To push out greed and hold tight to joy. To dispel pride and rise with humility. To quell anger and rest in self-control. To shun greed and rest in giving. To turn from power and embrace service. To let go of resentment and be peaceful. To push through fear and walk forward in grace. To run with faith, soar with forgiveness, and allow Your eternal strength to abide with me. Amen.” (from the internet)
In preparation for our beautiful but overpopulated City of Pines’ possible (repeat, possible) transition from enhanced community quarantine to the more relaxed general community quarantine after May 15, Mayor Benjie Magalong recently presided over the city’s Interagency Task Force on Covid-19 meeting where he stressed that Baguio should be ready to adjust on a given situation through regular consultations with concerned sectors.
“Easing up on the restrictions through gradual, calibrated or baby steps of at least 50 percent operation of construction and allied industries, manufacturing, transport sector, BPOs, tourism particularly the opening of small restaurants and the night market including the balik-Baguio residents are among the transition, recovery, and resiliency planning prior to GCQ,” Magalong said according to a report from the Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera.
With health experts here and abroad led by the World Health Organization stating that the coronavirus pandemic is far from over and warning of the possible (that word again) occurrence of a second and even more waves of infections if proper protocols are not put in place and adhered to, this near-sighted Ibaloy writer fully agrees that any transition should be done gradually, calibrated or with baby steps and with utmost care. Lives, after all, are at stake. Now is not the time to be hardheaded or pasaway. By staying home and following ECQ regulations, we help save lives. Stay safe, y’all.
FYI: Message from Baguio Rep. Mark Go: “I am very positive that we can survive and fight this Covid-19, sa pagsama-sama at pagtulong-tulong ng ating mga kababayan kasama ng mga namumuno sa ating lungsod.”
Go congratulated the local government of Baguio and the frontliners for doing everything necessary to address the Covid-19 crisis. He has also observed the discipline of Baguio residents in complying with the ECQ rules. He expressed commitment to continue to augment not just health needs but economic needs of his constituents. Go enjoins everybody to continue in unity and strength as Baguio transitions to GCQ after May 15. (Public Information Office-Baguio Facebook page)
Here’s “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley: “Out of the night that covers me,/ Black as the pit from pole to pole,/ I thank whatever gods may be/ For my unconquerable soul./ In the fell clutch of circumstance/ I have not winced nor cried aloud./ Under the bludgeonings of chance/ My head is bloody, but unbowed./ Beyond this place of wrath and tears/ Looms but the Horror of the shade,/ And yet the menace of the years/ Finds and shall find me unafraid./ It matters not how strait the gate,/ How charged with punishments the scroll,/ I am the master of my fate,/ I am the captain of my soul.”
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
