The past couple of weeks have been heavy. This novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) scare is too real. At the start I thought it was being overblown, that someone was running up and down the streets like Henny Penny crying, “The sky is falling.” Unhappily we have since learned that yes, indeed, it might be that. First it was the rain of ashes from Taal, and now the 2019 nCoV from China.

They are calling this a global emergency. We are all affected. It does not matter who you are, what you look like or what you own.

We are at war, and there’s a real threat of invasion.

Carefully screening or restricting travelers from anywhere who come into our country is a no-brainer. When there is a security threat to our homes, don’t we bolt our doors and shut our windows? In the face of a threatening contagion, shouldn’t we opt to curtail access now, and ask questions later?

But did we guard our borders a little too late? I hope not.

Of course I am nervous. My children and grandchildren and their families are all over the place. Just the other day, one of them nonchalantly got on a plane with her husband and child for a wedding in Bohol. From what I hear, they were armed with alcohol, wipes and masks, and they cleaned every inch of their surroundings before the flight. “It is such a short flight,” I was told in an almost patronizing tone. Once on board, they posted, “Masks on. And we have completely wiped our seats with all kinds of disinfectants.” But how do you clean the air you breathe? The mask can only do so much. And haven’t you heard that now they know the virus can be transmitted from person to person, and that anyone during the 14-day incubation period can be asymptomatic and still be a carrier? Reactions are varied. Most of my friends are in a state of panic. Our age group is, after all, the mentioned endangered species in this scenario. Some businessmen worry more about their numbers in the stock market, as if the bottom line of the virus was in dollars and cents and not about life and death.

At a recent gathering, guests wore masks and there was no beso-beso. Instead, we blew our kisses. There was Mass and there was no hugging or shaking of hands as a sign of peace. There was only the quiet, cautious bow of the head. Are we getting paranoid? Probably a little.

Over delicious Via Mare merienda, one lady at our table casually mentioned she had flown in from Hong Kong only two weeks before. I held my breath and pulled my mask tighter over my face.

Random news

In other news, a few weeks back, we saw a grand royal exit. My favorites Harry and Meghan and little Archie flew the coop.

The Queen was not pleased.

The public is divided. Some censure, others approve. These are public figures, after all, and fair game for gossip and commentary.

I love stories about princes and princesses and am sad to see this one take a spill. But the romantic tale continues and fairy dust still surrounds them. It always will.

Good read

Going to the dentist is not my favorite thing. Waiting for my turn last week, I browsed the internet and found a piece on the behavior of a man of integrity.

Let me share.

A person of integrity takes responsibility for his actions.

He puts other people’s needs above his own. In a world that tells us 24/7 that we are number one, this is extraordinary indeed.

A man of integrity offers help to someone in need. He does not blame or judge, but gives the benefit of the doubt.

He chooses truth and honesty above all things.

He shows respect.

He is humble, never boastful. He acknowledges fault, admits when he is wrong and apologizes quickly and works sincerely to make amends.

From the way things are today, this is like talking about a rare gem, precious and impossible to find.

Trying to make sense

And as we try to survive the terrors of our times, where do we go for a sober evaluation of what is happening? I stumbled upon yet another Senate hearing. There were a few cabinet heavyweights in the mix. This being a health issue, the Department of Health was in the hot seat. There was much finger pointing. People supposedly in charge were thrown under the bus without mercy.

I also watched a press conference with World Health Organization officers and our health officials, and I feel I am now a bit better informed.

But some people love to post their own depressing and pessimistic take on the events. They spread news that predicts nothing short of a plague, with no means of escape or relief. These are today’s online terrorists. They have sick, warped minds.

Some nights ago, my heart was heavy with fear and worry. And I went to a prayer meeting where we interceded for our nation. Someone asked: “Where is God in all this chaos?” And the answer was simple but powerful. “Take heart. God is with you. He knows your pain. His Word tells you not to fear and to have faith. It tells you to trust Him and He will give you peace. Remember that God is in control. He is sovereign.”We know all this. But how quickly we forget!