SAN FRANCISCO — No one is immune to the deadly coronavirus, that’s about the most anyone is sure of when it comes to the microorganism that has brought the world to its knees.
And yet in the last four months of sheltering in place, Filipino Americans seem to be coping well with the crisis, as community advocates concluded on a new platform the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco launched recently to model what the office calls “adapting to the new normal.”
Their famous resiliency has been Filipinos’ strongest defense, community leaders concurred in a recent ‘Tanong ni Congen,’ a digital face-to-face by Zoom and Facebook Live with Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr.
Inherent goodness
Filipinos have the “ability to find lightness and humor even in adversity,” said Dr. Jei Africa, director of the Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, who gave an overview of the pandemic’s impact on the population in general and Filipino Americans in particular. “Not to minimize the gravity of the situation, but the ability to smile and joke and see goodness lifts the Filipino spirit.”
That “goodness” pairs with deep faith for a powerful lifeline, said Bettina Santos Yap, founding president of the abuse prevention nonprofit ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment. She weighed in on the “compounded”‘ challenges for those in troubled relationships with intimate partners, family members or co-workers.
“Love, kindness and understanding come from Filipinos’ faith” whatever religion they belong to,” she opined. “We believe there is a higher power that looks after us.”
Pilipino Senior Resource Center (PSRC) executive director Gabby Moraleda said he was struck by the devotion to elders shown by younger Filipinos who stepped up at the most critical time when Center staff, themselves older adults, were unable to leave their own homes to attend to participants.
“The South of Market (SOMA) community, especially the youth, unified to bring care packs, masks, and canned goods to clients’ homes,” Moraleda said.
Who would have thought that 2020 would unfold as it did, forcing everyone to stop, take a breath and pay attention, watch each step, each touch now so rare.
Today, it’s important to communicate boundaries, inform others of what one is willing to do — or not do — for the sake of contact.
“We cannot change others’ behaviors but we can change ours,” said Africa. “We can wash our hands frequently, sanitize space, talk to children. Don’t assume everything is OK; remember people have died, others may be grieving. Be informed on everything — prevention, data, access to services, at what point to call the doctor.”
Be responsible, he added. “We have not found a vaccine. Do not listen to unofficial sources and pass the information to others,” which is dangerous.
Change
Words like “pivot” began peppering vocabularies to signify drastic changes at home, in school or at work since March when. “Vulnerable” and “underlying conditions” popped up in reference to those with no choice but to stay in to avoid getting infected.
Like masks, the adjectives “essential” and “front-line” became ubiquitous for activities and careers required to maintain a sense of normalcy. What was once the norm evolved as it did in previous crises, though none more mysterious, all-encompassing and life-threatening than the Covid19 pandemic.
Monday and Thursday fellowships at PSRC were suspended as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell mandated shelter in place and business closures to prevent spread of the virus.
Moraleda said he and his staff, mostly Baby Boomers, raced to familiarize themselves with new technology to continue serving their clients remotely.
“We called each one to see how they were doing, make sure they were following safety precautions.”
SAN FRANCISCO — No one is immune to the deadly coronavirus, that’s about the most anyone is sure of when it comes to the microorganism that has brought the world to its knees.
And yet in the last four months of sheltering in place, Filipino Americans seem to be coping well with the crisis, as community advocates concluded on a new platform the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco launched recently to model what the office calls “adapting to the new normal.”
Their famous resiliency has been Filipinos’ strongest defense, community leaders concurred in a recent ‘Tanong ni Congen,’ a digital face-to-face by Zoom and Facebook Live with Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr.
Inherent goodness
Filipinos have the “ability to find lightness and humor even in adversity,” said Dr. Jei Africa, director of the Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, who gave an overview of the pandemic’s impact on the population in general and Filipino Americans in particular. “Not to minimize the gravity of the situation, but the ability to smile and joke and see goodness lifts the Filipino spirit.”
Family violence prevention advocate Bettina Santos Yap discusses online resources available to those stranded with perpetrators of abuse. INQUIRER/CM Querol Moreno
That “goodness” pairs with deep faith for a powerful lifeline, said Bettina Santos Yap, founding president of the abuse prevention nonprofit ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment. She weighed in on the “compounded”‘ challenges for those in troubled relationships with intimate partners, family members or co-workers.
“Love, kindness and understanding come from Filipinos’ faith” whatever religion they belong to,” she opined. “We believe there is a higher power that looks after us.”
Pilipino Senior Resource Center (PSRC) executive director Gabby Moraleda said he was struck by the devotion to elders shown by younger Filipinos who stepped up at the most critical time when Center staff, themselves older adults, were unable to leave their own homes to attend to participants.
“The South of Market (SOMA) community, especially the youth, unified to bring care packs, masks, and canned goods to clients’ homes,” Moraleda said.
Who would have thought that 2020 would unfold as it did, forcing everyone to stop, take a breath and pay attention, watch each step, each touch now so rare.
Today, it’s important to communicate boundaries, inform others of what one is willing to do — or not do — for the sake of contact.
“We cannot change others’ behaviors but we can change ours,” said Africa. “We can wash our hands frequently, sanitize space, talk to children. Don’t assume everything is OK; remember people have died, others may be grieving. Be informed on everything — prevention, data, access to services, at what point to call the doctor.”
Dr. Jei Africa recommends physical distancing but urges remote social connection especially for isolated at-risk sectors. INQUIRER/CM Querol Moreno
Be responsible, he added. “We have not found a vaccine. Do not listen to unofficial sources and pass the information to others,” which is dangerous.
Change
Words like “pivot” began peppering vocabularies to signify drastic changes at home, in school or at work since March when. “Vulnerable” and “underlying conditions” popped up in reference to those with no choice but to stay in to avoid getting infected.
Like masks, the adjectives “essential” and “front-line” became ubiquitous for activities and careers required to maintain a sense of normalcy. What was once the norm evolved as it did in previous crises, though none more mysterious, all-encompassing and life-threatening than the Covid19 pandemic.
Monday and Thursday fellowships at PSRC were suspended as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell mandated shelter in place and business closures to prevent spread of the virus.
Moraleda said he and his staff, mostly Baby Boomers, raced to familiarize themselves with new technology to continue serving their clients remotely.
“We called each one to see how they were doing, make sure they were following safety precautions.”
Connection is vital
Connection, virtual or physical, is critical for all human beings and even more so at this time, said Africa, a licensed psychologist.
“We’re social beings. The shelter in place order created isolation for many, affecting mental health quite a bit. Not being able to go wherever and whenever we wish can lead to depression.”