Bridget Brooks,17, Student, Phillipines
With ONE word, how do you hope to come out of this quarantine?
"Alive"
What was the effect of COVID-19 on your routine?
"My routine has been affected by COVID-19 for more than 2 months, specific effects would include changes in lifestyle such as having to rely more on online deliveries and not having any chances to get out of the house at all. Last time I was able to go out was during March 8, right after our prom. Only 1 person in our family has the chance to go out as we have passes per household that allow 1 individual to go out and buy necessities, or in some cases, earn for the family—given that some companies has a “no work, no pay” system during this pandemic."
What is one realization you’ve had about yourself or the world?
"I have deeply realized how as a 17 year old, I am terribly limited in helping our country and society during this pandemic considering that (1) donations that I can provide through my own money are insufficient (2) individuals that are below 18 years old are prohibited from going out, thus the inability to directly help people (3) I can only utilize the online platform to provide awareness and precaution throughout this pandemic. I have also become more self-aware of just how horrible the Philippine government’s system is along with how they handle situations and cases during this pandemic. Our healthcare system is unprepared at the most tragic lengths."
What works and doesn’t work while in quarantine? (open-ended)
"Within my own experiences, I was able to become more confident and self-loving throughout quarantine, so I truly think that having time for one’s self works a lot. It is essential, provided that before the quarantine started everyone has become so busy for others, thus limiting the time we have for ourselves. In the Philippines, however, online classes simply do not work. Majority of the lower class that strive hard for getting education even had lower chances of claiming them as they do not have the luxury of using stable internet connection or gadgets that sufficiently allow them to be useful for online classes."
In what ways have you shown self-improvement?
"I can say that I have greatly improved in loving myself as well as learning new things by reading and watching some interesting documentaries that allowed me to broaden my knowledge. I have also tried to cut my hair very short, thus allowing me to tick something off from my bucket list!"
If you had to give your “pre-quarantine” self a piece of advice, what would that be?
"Pre-quarantine self, YOU SHOULD’VE GONE FOR THAT KOREAN BBQ."