And so we’re back on general community quarantine (GCQ). Are you sick and tired yet of all these acronyms? I know I am.

We actually have a surfeit of these in our country. And it can get a bit too much. Aside from the many CQs associated with the pandemic, we have acronymized too many things. What baffles me and is quite annoying is when someone throws these otherwise meaningless letters at you assuming, in my case wrongly, that you know what all these shortcuts stand for. I have actually stopped a caller in mid-sentence and declared my inability to understand and my unwillingness to guess.

At any rate, here we are under GCQ. And may I interject that this new status makes no difference to a person of age, like myself. I still am under “house arrest,” so to speak. I cannot leave the premises except for essential errands. That’s almost funny if it wasn’t so sad.

No, this new acronym has not changed my circumstances one bit. Like my best friend used to say when something did not impress or affect her: “No me cambia la vida.” In other words, this isn’t life-changing for me, and, therefore, I will not react.

I remember once in a while resenting her attitude. I found it a bit cold and too detached. But I have noticed that of late I am inclined to feel the same way. My point is, why get emotional and bent out of shape over something you can’t control? It changes nothing. It is counterproductive. And exhausting.

And so I have learned to step back instead of confronting. Sometimes. I have decided that unless it is world-shaking, it is wiser for me to turn away from a potential altercation than to engage or reply, and to detach before I “lose it.”

A wise young woman once gave me this piece of advice: “Remember to set boundaries. Do not allow anyone to breach those boundaries or cause you to move them. Do not give anyone permission to disrespect or ignore what you have marked. Once you do, they will keep doing it, just because they can. “

They say that a relationship is healthier once you have determined your boundaries. And it works, even without a “significant other.”

Of course, I cannot say that I have never “lost it.” I can think of a couple of times when I was too quick at the draw, only to later regret it. But sometimes it is difficult not to shoot back. It takes lots of “won’t” power. And I, therefore, try not to react or engage, especially on social media. Oh, but how tempting it is!

Presidential

US politics reached a fever pitch last week with the Democratic National Convention. I watched off and on, some live as it happened, and I replayed some highlights.

What times these are, I thought to myself as I watched the event unfold on CNN. There was none of the usual fanfare and hullabaloo of political conventions. No huge audiences. No buntings or big brass bands. No placards or posters with the slogans and rally calls. It was strange.

Regardless, it was as festive as it could be, considering the times. Anything more colorful or louder might have been deemed in poor taste and out of place.

Hands down highlight of opening night, and I daresay the entire convention, was former First Lady Michelle Obama. I am such a fan. I listened in rapt attention. She is a fantastic speaker, all heart. Sincere. Focused. Classy. Her speech was stellar. On point is an understatement.

One reviewer remarked: Michelle Obama was presidential.

And I wept. I could not explain my tears. Perhaps I cried because there has been such a dearth of sensible and decent speeches lately, and I have not heard anyone who speaks truth to power; who, without uttering foul language or any uncouth gestures, can drive a thought home, or tell the naked and unadulterated truth.

Not for a moment was I embarrassed at what anyone said, or uncomfortable at their choice of words. Let me tell you it was a new and amazing experience.

Only the night before I had withered in shame in front of my TV while waiting for the latest on our status for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine. I felt a mixture of disgust and rage. And yes, I was mortified. My first thought was, oh God, why?

And then, “Thank God it’s past midnight. The little ones must be fast asleep.”

New law

And as an appropriate segue: I welcome the recent news about Republic Act No. 11476, being signed into law.

This is an act institutionalizing Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC). I believe it is timely. Pity it is too late for some people we know.

But I have questions. Who will teach GMRC? Are there textbooks? I am told that homeroom teachers have been teaching this in most private schools. What do teachers have to major in to teach it? Will students receive grades of pass or fail on their report cards? Can you flunk GMRC? Images suddenly come to mind.

My thoughts: Now that classes are online and from the home, parents should sign up. Young children learn more from what they see and hear than from written rules and textbooks. We are short on role models, sorry to say.