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.

Tick, tock, TikTok

Some people say that time is fluid, that it is ever moving; there is no stopping time. These may be true, until a pandemic such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) brought everyone into a sudden halt. A momentary freezing of time seemed to have been expected, if not necessary. Since the outbreak, cases continue to mount daily. As of this writing, there’s been over 5 million recorded cases with the USA leading the list. The world seemed to have stopped moving. 

People stayed at home to stay safe. Children and parents alike had to stick it out until the crisis subsided. Soon enough, time started to take its course again, but with such a pace none of us could’ve predicted. It caused some people to feel unproductive, useless. They were bored in the house. Tick, tock, tick tock, TikTok, TikTok. 

TikTok! At a time when people had some luxury of it, an app aptly named (un)expectedly became a sensation. Social media platforms have since helped a lot of individuals cope with the dire situation outside every household. While Facebook kept people up to date with their family and friends, Twitter and Instagram with their celebrity idols, TikTok gave them the avenue to engage more than the former apps. Soon enough, people spent their time creating - choreographies, challenges, art pieces, acts, cuisines, and more! It turns out everybody’s got time. 

Coffee break and an outbreak

The world will become rather strange for someone who suddenly steps outside after being confined (albeit voluntarily), for a while, in their home. It may take some time to regain whatever familiar feeling one used to be accustomed to. Soon, people will look for faces they have not seen for months, head to places they have longed to visit or dine at their favorite restaurants for a hearty, affordable meal. Or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while listening to good music. 

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, struck the world at the start of the year, and rendered it clueless, shocked, panicked, and morose, its normalcy has shifted at a rate unprecedented in recent history. Social distancing meant prolonged separation from family, lockdown meant adjusting home into a work environment, quarantine meant daily struggle against anxiety and depression. People needed to cope; and so did businesses. 

Among those businesses, coffee shops had to close or limit their hours of operation. In the Philippines, one coffee chain had to close all their stores because of the pandemic. Until recently, the said store joined Grab, “a Singapore-based technology company offering ride-hailing transport services, food delivery, and payment solutions”, so coffee lovers can get the dose of their favorite caffeine. But until this crisis is over, sipping a latte at the comfort of these shops will remain a hopeful dream.