1.

What are your experiences and experiences of others (positive and negative) during CoViD-19
pandemic? You may support your answer with articles or data.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has happened since then that has greatly affected every
country and its citizens in one way or another. With the presence of the virus almost every country has
initiated a quarantine protocol limiting its citizens from going outside unless they are going to get
supplies or doing something essential. It was stated in the news that some countries have already
stopped the exponential growth of the virus such as China and South Korea through proper and strict
response to the virus. However, a recent article by CNN stated that there were renewed outbreaks in
those countries including Germany after they had started to lift their quarantines and reopen which
indicates that there is still a risk of infection by the virus.

2. Provide an analysis of these experiences. Why are these happening? What is the reason behind? Is
ecology or environment related to this?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. According the

World Health Organization, it spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These lockdown and quarantine protocols are implemented
heavily as the virus is highly contagious. It has a high infection rate and as of now, there are no specific
vaccines or treatments that directly destroys the virus. According to paper by Shereen on the COVID-19
infection, the virus originated in Wuhan after they had several cases of pneumonia with unfamiliar
etiology. It was suggested that the infected were exposed to a coronavirus induced pneumonia after
they had visited the seafood market where infected animals were used as a source of food. However,
some became infected even though they hadn’t visited the seafood market. This meant that it had
human to human spreading capabilities.

3. What is God’s message for you in this pandemic? You may cite biblical verses and/or Church
documents like encyclicals. What is/are the lesson/s you got from this pandemic experience?

Mark 4:35-41. This bible verse speaks to me the most especially in these dire times. The
pandemic we face mirrors the storm the disciples faced while they were over water with Jesus. The
disciples were panicking while Jesus was sleeping. Filled with fear, the disciples woke Him up and asked
Him if He cares not whether they drown. He got up and calmed the winds and the waves and He asked
His disciples “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”. The rest were amazed of this miracle
and asked who this man was that even the wind and the waves obey Him. This pandemic is our storm. It
is frightening and so we are full of fear. But we must remember that God is greater than our fear. We
need not fear this virus so much as to forget that we only need to trust in God’s plans. Many people are
doing their best in helping out in this pandemic, frontliners risk their lives and scientist are finding ways
to cure this disease. We have no room for panic in these dire times. It will not help and shall only cause
difficulty for our brothers and sisters. All we need to do is be responsible, take every precaution
available, and pray and trust in God.
4. As a Lasallian, what action/s are you doing (or something you will do) as your response to this
pandemic?

As a lasallian, the most I can do during this pandemic is to take every precaution as to not
spread any sort of bodily fluids to my fellow brothers and sisters. I will minimize and avoid human
contact as much as possible and practice social distancing, so as to protect myself and other people.
Face masks are a mandatory now as it helps cover our mouth and nose to prevent any sort of spreading
of fluids. These are just some of the reliable things one can do to prevent the further spread of the virus.

5. To answer to the plea of Pope Francis in his encyclical, “Laudato Si”, what personal and communal
actions can you do?

Laudato Si is one of the Church’s most profound and comprehensive statement on caring for
creation and the poorest. On the Care for Our Common Home, this calls for us to work together
especially with what’s happening in our society. A virus is terrorizing every country in the world and
people are suffering greatly because of it, especially the poor. Right now, the most each and every one
of us can do to help is to take every precaution to halt the spread of the virus, and donate relief goods to
those who cannot afford it because of the inability to go to work because of the lockdown and
quarantine implemented.