The Philippines, Metro Manila (Makati city), Mitchel, Dutch, 27, Business, Single/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
The Philippines was one of the first countries outside of heavy-hit regions to go in lockdown in anticipating high rises in cases, and currently maintains one of the longest lockdowns globally. As everywhere, the balance between health risks and economic costs are the main factor in determining whether to extend the lockdown or not, but the fragility of the health system here does play a major role. While initially cases were low – and the public is quite well informed about safety protocals/mask wearing etc – as the government was forced to open the economy earlier a few months ago cases have been on a steady increase, averaging approx 4000 daily cases by the beginning of August, forcing the government to place Manila under a second lockdown. Claims by the Department of Health of “flattening the curve” merely showed an interpretation that the average number of increases was stable over a longer period of time with a new “wave” showcasing a higher daily increase than previously. The first “flattening” in the Philippines was at 400 daily new cases for a few weeks straight. The second one at 1500 new cases. Of course realistically this just reflects a continuous increase in total cases so no waves have taken place here yet. That being said, the per capita total number of cases and number of deaths is well below the global average.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
Manila is a very vibrant city, with great night life and social life centered around a mall-culture. Both these elements have completely been torn to pieces by the Covid crisis as a lot of people are reluctant to go out in fear of catching Covid. This has also been reflected in public scrutiny of a half-hearted approach by the government in effectively tackling any long-term strategy to curb the disease, focusing on short-term gains and cost-saving methods in general. The combination of this fear and lack of confidence in government capability have hammered down consumer confidence: shops in the malls witness slumped sales, plenty of staple nightlife choices have been forced to fold and permanently close their doors, and the tourism industry has seen hardly any activity at all since the lockdowns were first implemented. This resulted into massive unemployment and a drop in household spending, but so far no major social unrest has followed.
How are you and your family?
I personally do not enjoy working from home much, especially with sub-optimal working conditions (weak internet infrastructure, a lot of work cannot be fully completed digitally), and also the lack of public spaces in Manila do make the lockdowns extra claustrophobic: Manila has not allocated much room for public parks or other greeneries within the city boundaries, and with movement outside the city proper restricted this is one of the things I miss most. On the positive side, I have explored new hobbies and been in steady contact with friends, even if it is in very different ways than previously.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Re-inventing our work from home, while maintaining good teamwork with colleagues as a lot of our working relationship is formed on brief face-to-face interactions (over lunch, coffee-machine chats, walking over to ones desk etc.)
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
Personally, I have been lucky to not have experienced any situation that made Covid come very close to home, however as the country’s health care system is reaching full capacity – and long term prospects of improvement nowhere on the horizon, I do consider returning to the Netherlands in the near future.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
First: full lockdown, which was a sensible choice at the moment as the healthcare system would have easily overwhelmed if cases were to spike as they had done in China and later in Europe. The Philippines is unfortunately not a country that (whether through lacking cash or expertise) can put similar matters into like a pop-up hospital as the Chinese government had been able to do with relative ease. However once the lockdown was in place and followed, no long term plans were implemented that would ease the economy back into motion without increases of cases. Contact tracing is currently still not implemented, even after the lockdown was partially lifted. Government sidelined in political projects whose priority are questionable, spending a surprising long time focusing on a bill that shuts down a major new company, as well as an anti-terror bill limiting public dissent, rather than focusing on structural changes. Against all expectations, food supply chains did not collapse – which to be fair is commendable as this was anticipated by most. Other than that all long-term planning is focused on the donation of a vaccine with as a little economic costs and as few deaths as possible. A scenario where life takes a shape without a vaccine being mass distributed and without vaccines (as other countries in Asia have been able to do) does not seem to be considered.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Implementing the lockdown was a good choice, and it is commendable food supply chains have not collapsed. Other than that, shortsightedness, quick wins, media-play, and using the lockdown for political gains… I can hardly find a good note in these.
What would you like to say to your government?
–
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
–
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Not directly. Family of friends were affected, and of these 2 people passed away.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
No but am expected to take one before the end of the month
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Not really, I would say I’m quite healthy and with a large segment of people not noticing major health symptoms there is always an option you have had it already without noticing?
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
The lockdown started since early March and in one shape or form has continued to date. The first two and a half months were very strict, residence-specific passes were given out where only one person per house was allowed out of the house in general. If you were not the appointed person, you were unable to leave your home. You could also only leave for a purpose (groceries, food pick up, bank etc), even merely strolling around was in theory not allowed although in practice it was doable. Economic activity limited to core industries, where even retail was not allowed. No visitors or social activity whatsoever. Masks and since this month also face-shields are compulsory.
The next step in easing: No dine-in in restaurants allowed still, but more shops are able to open (eg clothing stores and most mall-based stores), groups of 5 people are allowed. Some buildings allow visitors of non-residents but my building does not. Non-contact sports in public spaces are allowed (running, golf, etc).
Second step in easing: dine-in is allowed if separation can be maintained. I don’t mean social distancing I mean physical barriers between you and the person next to you (plastic shields, table separations etc). Minimal contact sports are allowed but gyms remain closed. Masks and face shields remain obligatory. Max. 10 people groups can come together in houses but many buildings remain closed for visitors. Public transport is open again but with limited capacity. Tourism and trips for leisure remains prohibited (meaning: you are still not allowed to leave the city borders).
Full opening: still not happened.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
Alone, I picked up new hobbies as mentioned above.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Daily walks just listening to podcasts just to get out of the house and get moving and to create a time separation between working time and private time.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Same hours, more hassle to get things done, less contact with coworkers, heavy emphasis on virtual events, less meetings.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
No dating, no socials, no partying, no travels, less alcohol, less dinners, more video calls, more walks.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
No major impact for now luckily – less spending more saving.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Wake up at 7 for morning routine.
Open my laptop at 9 for work
Workout between 12 and 1:30
Lunch until 2
work until 7 depending on evening meeting.
If I can, I will do a daily walk until 8
Curfew starts at 8 so any time after this will be spend at home.
Sleep at 10 – 11 pm
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Of course the frontliners who put their lives on the line to support society at large: health care staff, public servants, retail staff but also the logistics that surround it and who go outside of the comfort of their own homes every day to secure our supermarkets are adequately supplied, that our homes have electricity and water, and that health and sanitation standards are met. Also those decision-makers who go against the slippery slope of fear and narrow-minded thinking to provided effective guidance to make the most of a less-desirable situation.
What did the crisis show you?
We can get used to anything. From wearing facemasks to working from home to 6 feet distance to losing old hobbies and replacing them with new ones. People are much more resilient to discomfort than we think we are.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Freedom of movement: Covid seems to do to our ability to move around freely what 9/11 did to airport security – much more restricted with more safety precautions and I will miss the ease of going around.
Which images will you never forget?
The improvements on the environment after a few weeks of global non-activity… dolphins in Venice, improved oceans in industrial harbours, better skyquality without air-traffic etc.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
Balcony community building through music, and peoples dating lives finding inventive ways around the city.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
I’m afraid the Covid pandemic will pause and halt our personal goals and ambitions to such an extend that we will be much older by the time this finishes, and we have run out of time to pursue some of our ideals.
What gives you hope?
That people can change their behaviour so to still find positive aspects in a situation like this. The glass remains half full.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
I wish, but the Philippines is still fully on lockdown for leisure travel. The one time the beaches here are without tourists, not even residents are able to visit them. If ever I had travel for leisure purposes, it might be to go back home for some months while this pandemic plays out.
If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
I will research the vaccine and the manufacturer first. I would be more prone to take a vaccine in Europe due to stricter food and drug safety laws.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
There are winners and losers in every situation, depending how we play the game.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
“Stay Safe”.