KEEPING THE FAITH

AUDREY TAN-ZUBIRI narrates her family’s experiences in facing the effects of the novel coronavirus, encouraging everyone to find courage and hope no matter how dire circumstances are

- AUDREY TAN-ZUBIRI

It’s been over five months since the reality of COVID-19 hit home for us and yet everything from those days is as fresh in my mind as if they were yesterday. When I say home, I mean almost literally home as COVID hit patient number 142, my husband, Miguel.

Fortunately, my family and I are all well now. Or as well as can be expected under these circumstances. Like everyone, we experienced (and continue to do so) the effects of COVID in all aspects of our lives—from our children’s education to our businesses and of course, the health of my husband.

In the beginning, we did not even realize the gravity of this virus and the effects it would bring upon all of us. We thought it would just be just a few months and everything would be alright once again. But just the same, we took things seriously.

As early as the last week of February, we started to avoid going to the malls and crowded places. We put a stop to all beso beso’s and going to crowded places and events, if possible. But no matter how hard we tried and how carefully we took care of each other, my husband still caught the virus and was eventually confirmed to be positive for Coronavirus.

Everything began when there was a reported exposure in the Senate. Upon discovery, Miguel immediately went into self-quarantine in our bedroom while the children and I kept ourselves in a separate part of the house. It did not take long for Migs to begin experiencing symptoms such as a fever, body aches, and an itchy throat.