The Tribe Has Spoken

“If anybody has a hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now will be the time to do so.” I can’t count the number of times Jeff Probst has uttered these words in all the 40 seasons of Survivor. 

In this popular reality television, you need to be able to “Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast” other players. In order to do that, you need to win challenges to ensure you don’t get voted out during the tribal councils. Winning an immunity idol in the final challenge guarantees you a shot at bringing home the prize of one million dollars ($1M).

If this global pandemic is just another season of Survivor, everyone would probably want to get an idol for themselves if only to get out of this crisis a winner- that is to say, alive. But no one can give anyone immunity. Not with COVID-19. 

That’s why when the government of Chile announced that they will issue “immunity certificates” to those who recovered from the coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against it saying the “certificates could inspire false confidence and help..spread [the virus],” according to a bbc.com news article. They argued that the so-called risk-free certificates “could even be harmful, because they could lead people to ignore public health advice and therefore increase the risk of transmitting the disease.”

While Chile has a total of 99,358 recoveries to date, as of this writing, 4,207 new cases have been reported. Therefore, having the said ‘medical passport’ may prove detrimental than instrumental. 

We don’t have 39 days like the castaways had on the island. No one knows how long this ‘show’ will go on. But until then, everyone needs to stay vigilant and avoid getting blindsided.

COVID-19: An Imitation

Train to Busan became a hit despite being a movie about zombies- a subject widely seen in US television series and Hollywood movies with ‘Warm Bodies’, ‘World War Z’ and ‘Zombieland’ being few of their most notable outings. It’s success however did not solely rely on the gruesome undead’s ability to cause terror - that was rather expected; it didn’t even seem to be the result of intense action sequences although those carried some weight overall. What cemented this Korean film to be hailed great was its humanity- the characters were familiar. 

How these characters reacted in a dire situation surrounded by ‘death’ reflected the viewers’ own principles, values and biases. When faced with the same horror, will you stand for what is good and extend a hand or will you save your own skin with your every-man-for-himself philosophy? Will you show compassion even if it means your demise or will you shut your heart from any emotion to survive? Will you follow the rules for everyone’s sake or will you carve your own ‘track’ to reach your destination ahead of others? 

We may not be suffering from an apocalypse today but this pandemic raises the same fundamental questions about our own humanity. COVID-19 is the ‘walking dead’ we never imagined; the unknown that the world grapples with equal uncertainty. 

So much for art imitating life. Let the final credits roll!

Humanity's Best Friend

In light of the current global pandemic, home confinement (for most people) may sound like a prison. Introverts, however, may argue it’s a luxury. The former is the group who’ve been most anxious in the last few months- bridled by their solitary existence; the latter, exactly the opposite- content and criminally happy with their own domestication.

But none is happier than the beloved pets of both groups. Dogs and cats alike often wait patiently for their owners to come home from work back when normal meant an 8-to-5 job at a plush office. So it must have been a weird but welcome surprise for them to see their fur mommies and daddies safely tucked inside the house with them all day. However, with the coronavirus or COVID-19, safety is very relative for both humans and animals. 

It was shocking when news broke back in March that a pomeranian in Hong Kong was reported as the first case of an animal having contracted the virus. While it tested negative in a follow up test, soon the dog died a few days after being released from the quarantine facility. 

Recently, National Geographic reported that a german shepherd in New York officially became the first dog in the US to test positive for the virus. Two months ago, LA Times published an article that a pug named Winston from North Carolina supposedly tested positive along with his owner’s children and husband. This was later cleared by subsequent tests done by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

It is still unclear whether or not animal-to-human transmission of the said virus is possible. What is clear however is that these familial companions are too precious to lose especially in this time when everybody needs a ‘buddy’.

The world's most hated millionaire

Imagine getting your first million in less than a week. Imagine getting three million in less than a month. Another month later, imagine getting six million. Mind blown.

There is no saying how incredible this story sounds but the fact is, it is a true one.

As early as February, our “hero” amassed the first million with such ease that no one saw it coming. People scrambled, panicked, and got confused about how it was done. Soon, everyone else was dumbstruck as the collection grew double, week after week without doing anything. All that happened was people gathered, shook hands, remained close to each other not realizing how they contributed to the worst millionaire ever. 

To date, this millionaire, better known as THE coronavirus or COVID-19, has taken 6 million lives around the globe. Americans suffered the most loss comprising 28% of the total number of deaths. A staggering 1.7 million citizens succumbed to one of the deadliest viruses in recent years.

Whether or not people realized it, they have submitted themselves to these numbers when they carelessly ignored the signs. Like any grifter, the virus blindsided those who were proud enough to know what little they did, and those innocent enough to admit knowing less than they cared. 

There is no currency more valuable than anyone’s life. If this millionaire has taught us anything, it is that truth. Hate it but better believe it. Numbers rarely lie.

My second Ireland

After reading Cecelia Ahern’s “Thanks for the memories” and “If you could see me now”, Ireland has been number 1 on “the top 5 destinations before I die” list. The scenery of green pasture, the idea of getting drunk in an Irish pub, and possibly meeting a leprechaun are some of the dream “to-dos” upon setting foot in that lovely country. And if that doesn’t happen, well there is always Paris. The Louvre is a close second to Ireland’s beautiful castles and valleys. 

But like any other tourist spots, the romantic city was not spared when the coronavirus, or COVID-19, paralyzed the world. The BBC has reported that “almost 26,000 people there have died from the disease in hospitals and care homes”. It was unsurprising that France is one of the top countries with the most number of fatalities. And while the rest of the country is lifting the restrictions of the lockdown implemented in March, preventive measures are still kept in Paris to curb the virus’ spread. 

Robert Langdon may have to wait a little while to stroll around the French city again. Perhaps we shall meet in Dublin for a pint until this crisis blows over so he can go solve mysteries once more; and I go find where the members of Westlife live.

Call me

Billie Eilish may be one of the most influential artists of this generation. Her playlist is too varied that some songs relate to younger crowds while others may speak to anyone over 30. Some may claim they don’t know Billie but it’s not unusual for them to have heard “Ocean Eyes” over the radio and hummed along when it comes on, or grooved to the beat of “Bad Guy” not knowing what the song is about only that “duh” is one of its easiest lyrics. The girl’s music doesn’t know age; it doesn’t discriminate. 

But something does. Especially in Italy. 

When the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the country and saw how the older population (mostly those over 80) was hit the hardest, people were quick to point a finger to the younger ones who they accused of being the spreaders of the said virus. Since the pandemic broke, Italy has a record of over 200,000 cases. After months of being locked down, they finally lifted the restrictions which allowed people to go out and gather as long as they keep a safe distance.

But the older people won’t have any of the young ones’ “night outs” saying they may just as well cause the second wave of COVID-19 cases. Experts say this may be unfair for young adults (15-30) as they only comprise about 16% of the whole population. 

Well, I’m 34 years old. So call me when the party’s over.

A turbulent ride

Traveling in the 21st century has been nothing but commonplace. Air travel has been more accessible, more affordable with too many airlines popping here and there. So it was rather devastating for these companies and for travelers to learn about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a (long) momentary pause on this leisure. For months, people who earned a living by flying found themselves stuck in the house for over a month; airline personnel, businessmen, and vloggers among many, counted the days until they can pack a suitcase or backpack again.

Recently, in India, domestic flights have started to operate with 367 flights on May 28 based on an article by indiaexpress.com. The country is one of the two Asian countries (along with Turkey) in the Top 10 with the most number of cases (see dashboard). 

Whether or not the operation of domestic flight will see a surge of the number despite the recoveries, is yet to be seen. In the meantime, the rest of the world is holding on to their passports so that one day they will be able to ride the clouds again without fear of getting sick.