Living in 2020 is knowing that we’re living our future child’s history assignment. Often, we wonder: What it’s like to be part of a historical event? These past few months have answered that for us.
Now, we all know how complicated and draining it is to be someone’s future social studies paper.
Coronavirus has affected everything around us. From everyone’s health to the socio-political climate and social media feeds, the pandemic has impacted us in more ways than one. Whatever optimistic hashtag we had for 2020 has been replaced by Miss ’Rona and Miss ’Rona only.
On top of that, political unrest everywhere is more rampant with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in America and #JunkTerrorLaw over here in local shores—and that’s not the only issue we are grappling with during the lockdown. We’re fighting for our freedom of speech and the rights of the marginalized alongside a global pandemic every day.
2020 is a hard pill to swallow. Although the year is only half-over, it feels like a century has passed. There are so many events that unfolded within seven months, it’s hard to think and digest them all.
As we go on in our gap year (or plague year, if you prefer), we look back at everything that’s happened so far: Lockdown privilege stories, government oopsies and other face-palm worthy brouhahas. Here’s the half of 2020 in retrospect from your SCOUT homies.
On COVID-19
- A Gen Z’s guide to COVID-19 terms
- Compared to neighbor countries, the PH is handling COVID
- If you see a COVID-19 testing kit, thank these scientists from UP
- How are we doing? This COVID-19 data tracker provides real-time updates
- “Sarap ng buhay,” says Sen. Bato while PH COVID cases hit 14,669
- Stop going out with your friends—the pandemic is accelerating, says WHO
On lockdown stories
- Luzon lockdown stories that will make you check your privilege
- We’re beyond 100 days in quarantine. How are the jeepney drivers?
- Today in pandemic news: A father and son were arrested for backriding on their way to work
- 6 jeepney drivers fought for their rights—now they’re in jail
- Dura lex sed lex… only if convenient?
On online classes
- Sorry, Class of 2020: There won’t be any graduation ceremonies for now
- Online classes are in session, but it’s not for everyone
- A criminology student died after looking for internet connection to submit requirements
- 4 Bicol University students hacked their school website in the name of mass promotion
- Why Kabataan Partylist’s Sarah Elago defends the #LeaveNoStudentBehind movement
On the Anti-Terror Law
- We asked a lawyer all your questions about the Anti-Terrorism Act
- The Anti-Terrorism Law as told by our lawmakers, activists and artists
- This is what Indigenous people have been facing, pre-Anti-Terrorism Act
- Panelo calls Anti-Terrorism Bill critics “cerebrally challenged”
- Today, these youth groups took #JunkTerrorBill to the streets
- Harry Roque tries really, really hard to assure us that the Anti-Terrorism Bill won’t hurt freedom of speech
On press freedom
- Why you should stand with ABS-CBN
- Hot takes straight from the “troll farm,” ABS-CBN shutdown edition
- Our justice system branded journalist Maria Ressa a criminal
- Duterte, a “supporter” of press freedom, once said: “Stop journalism in this country.”
- While ABS-CBN gets shut down, hold the government accountable for these issues too
Art by Tine Paz
