Today is our last day of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Starting tomorrow, Metro Manila will transition to general community quarantine (GCQ), which has more relaxed protocols.
No, we have not flattened the curve, as this was decided by the government the same day we logged 539 new Covid cases three days ago. But I guess it had to be done because a longer lockdown will surely cripple the economy — if that hasn’t even happened yet.
Even if I go out of the house during the lockdown for quick errands and obtaining essential and even non-essential goods, it will be a different story once most restrictions are lifted. I would much rather go out now that it’s still on ECQ than in GCQ where I’m pretty sure areas frequented by people will be a petri dish of the virus.
So that’s exactly what I did this morning.
I decided to take 4 kilometer-walk from our house to the mall in Makati (and back). Malls have been operating at 50% capacity since two weeks ago when Metro Manila transitioned to MECQ, but knowing that it will be fully operational starting tomorrow made me want to go now as I don’t want to go there with everyone else. You know how much I hated the crowd even on regular days, more so now that anyone can be a carrier.
The walk itself is easy-peasy, but the warm, unforgiving morning sun hovering above is the problem. So even if I have a baseball cap on, it is imperative that I bring extra protection: a UV-proof umbrella (a very good investment) or I would have fainted halfway through the walk because of the heat.
I couldn’t help but notice I was behind a trio of drugstore employees in their slippers, walking to work. I can imagine how hard it is for essential workers and front-liners like them to do this for more than two months now. The lockdown had made life difficult for most of us, but it was necessary. It made me think I’m luckier than most people because I don’t have to do this to continue working.
I reached Greenbelt first and it’s weird to think about how I have not set foot there for weeks. It was serene but particularly sad to see the place desolate on a Sunday morning. No joggers, no church-goers, no families out for a stroll.
I was too early for the mall hours but I can’t even sit on my favorite spot right by the Fashion Walk at Greenbelt 5 to wait as most areas are cordoned and off-limits. Restaurants, bars and coffee shops are closed for dine-in customers, only allowing take-out, delivery, and pick-up.
At least the mall administration is doing its best to observe social distancing by placing designated signs and markers in common areas. Let’s just hope people will follow it because you know how we Filipinos are. Some can’t even follow something as simple as STAND and WALK sides on an escalator.
After several minutes, I got a text message from my brother saying he’s on his way (on his bike). I started walking towards Glorietta and came across him on the elevated walkway. Kuya complained about how he had a hard time looking for a place to park his bike, as everyone is on two wheels these days. We also talked about how I prefer to buy a BMX bike that I could use for the meantime, since jeepneys and TNVS are not yet a safe mode of transportation until there’s already a vaccine available.
The mall was still closed by the time we reached Glorietta, so we were asked by the guards to wait in line by the entrance. Again, there were markers that are one meter apart to observe physical distancing. One of the guards had to remind the people at the back to follow it before someone takes our picture and call us out on social media.
When I was about to get in, the guard asked for my quarantine pass, so I showed him the pass which was hanging by a lanyard on my neck.
“Taga-saan po kayo?” He asks, while inspecting my pass.
He then asked me another type of pass — something that was issued by the City of Makati, which I have not heard of. The guard said that without it, they cannot let me in. I protested at first but realized it will not do me any good when he refused to do eye contact already. But I’m too exhausted and not in the mood to argue and I don’t want to hold off the queue for everyone else if I do. My brother behind me was as confused as I was (because he was at Glorietta yesterday and nobody asked him of any other pass) but also chose not to insist or create a scene.
We went to SM Makati instead and there, we were let in without any hitch. We were even able to buy some stuff at Ace Hardware and Watson’s and all we need to go through is a thermal scan and a spray of alcohol for our hands.
The floors where the department stores are almost empty, as most people are in the lowest floor, where the supermarket is.
We decided to pass through the other entrance to Glorietta — the one coming from SM — just to test if another ID is really necessary in order to get in. The guard inspected our quarantine passes and we were let in. Whatever the heck that other guard was asking for, we really don’t have a clue.
Glorietta was empty and almost drab. The activity center, normally teeming with shoppers and mall-goers, only have chairs lined-up especially for people waiting for their take-out. There are only a handful of people walking, as most stores are still closed.
Unless you have to buy something, you ain’t missing anything by not going to the mall these days. If you think you can stroll around like before, it won’t be the same. It’s actually quite depressing because it reminds you of the smallest liberties that we all have to sacrifice because of the pandemic.
I may be sick of this lockdown but I have no intention of going back to how we were until it’s perfectly safe. Only that, it pains me when my nephews would ask me when they could go to the mall or play outside because I don’t even know how long this will go on. Geesh, we are not even close to solving our country’s Covid problems.
Oh well, good luck to all of us now that it’s GCQ. Stay alive!
Even if I go out of the house during the lockdown for quick errands and obtaining essential and even non-essential goods, it will be a different story once most restrictions are lifted. I would much rather go out now that it’s still on ECQ than in GCQ where I’m pretty sure areas frequented by people will be a petri dish of the virus.
So that’s exactly what I did this morning.
I decided to take 4 kilometer-walk from our house to the mall in Makati (and back). Malls have been operating at 50% capacity since two weeks ago when Metro Manila transitioned to MECQ, but knowing that it will be fully operational starting tomorrow made me want to go now as I don’t want to go there with everyone else. You know how much I hated the crowd even on regular days, more so now that anyone can be a carrier.
The walk itself is easy-peasy, but the warm, unforgiving morning sun hovering above is the problem. So even if I have a baseball cap on, it is imperative that I bring extra protection: a UV-proof umbrella (a very good investment) or I would have fainted halfway through the walk because of the heat.
Most streets are still quiet, almost like a ghost town, although there are more people walking and in private vehicles now that we’re on MECQ. Starting tomorrow, when some offices are “Business as usual” and limited public transportation will be available, these empty streets will only be a memory (unless another lockdown is imposed). I better enjoy it while I still can.
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| Amorsolo St. |
I reached Greenbelt first and it’s weird to think about how I have not set foot there for weeks. It was serene but particularly sad to see the place desolate on a Sunday morning. No joggers, no church-goers, no families out for a stroll.
I was too early for the mall hours but I can’t even sit on my favorite spot right by the Fashion Walk at Greenbelt 5 to wait as most areas are cordoned and off-limits. Restaurants, bars and coffee shops are closed for dine-in customers, only allowing take-out, delivery, and pick-up.
At least the mall administration is doing its best to observe social distancing by placing designated signs and markers in common areas. Let’s just hope people will follow it because you know how we Filipinos are. Some can’t even follow something as simple as STAND and WALK sides on an escalator.
After several minutes, I got a text message from my brother saying he’s on his way (on his bike). I started walking towards Glorietta and came across him on the elevated walkway. Kuya complained about how he had a hard time looking for a place to park his bike, as everyone is on two wheels these days. We also talked about how I prefer to buy a BMX bike that I could use for the meantime, since jeepneys and TNVS are not yet a safe mode of transportation until there’s already a vaccine available.
The mall was still closed by the time we reached Glorietta, so we were asked by the guards to wait in line by the entrance. Again, there were markers that are one meter apart to observe physical distancing. One of the guards had to remind the people at the back to follow it before someone takes our picture and call us out on social media.
When I was about to get in, the guard asked for my quarantine pass, so I showed him the pass which was hanging by a lanyard on my neck.
“Taga-saan po kayo?” He asks, while inspecting my pass.
He then asked me another type of pass — something that was issued by the City of Makati, which I have not heard of. The guard said that without it, they cannot let me in. I protested at first but realized it will not do me any good when he refused to do eye contact already. But I’m too exhausted and not in the mood to argue and I don’t want to hold off the queue for everyone else if I do. My brother behind me was as confused as I was (because he was at Glorietta yesterday and nobody asked him of any other pass) but also chose not to insist or create a scene.
We went to SM Makati instead and there, we were let in without any hitch. We were even able to buy some stuff at Ace Hardware and Watson’s and all we need to go through is a thermal scan and a spray of alcohol for our hands.
The floors where the department stores are almost empty, as most people are in the lowest floor, where the supermarket is.
We decided to pass through the other entrance to Glorietta — the one coming from SM — just to test if another ID is really necessary in order to get in. The guard inspected our quarantine passes and we were let in. Whatever the heck that other guard was asking for, we really don’t have a clue.
Glorietta was empty and almost drab. The activity center, normally teeming with shoppers and mall-goers, only have chairs lined-up especially for people waiting for their take-out. There are only a handful of people walking, as most stores are still closed.
Unless you have to buy something, you ain’t missing anything by not going to the mall these days. If you think you can stroll around like before, it won’t be the same. It’s actually quite depressing because it reminds you of the smallest liberties that we all have to sacrifice because of the pandemic.
Oh well, good luck to all of us now that it’s GCQ. Stay alive!
We are living in such a different world now. Stay safe Vayie.
ReplyDeleteTake extra care, Clare. Especially now that you're back to work. Things are not the same now.
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