The People Who Matter
by Ron R. Lacson

The world has changed so much during the last few weeks. And it may change even more in the coming weeks and months, hopefully for the betterment of humanity (and the way we need to change how we treat this planet we live in often comes to mind).

Many of us are now staying in our homes, and those of us who are able to do that are already privileged because we have a home to dwell. Think of the multifarious individuals who do not even have a place to stay; either they are at the mercy of charitable folks who would be willing to help them or they depend on the help of the government. If you are staying at home, because you can, be thankful.

This virus that has befallen us is an equalizer. It is not choosy. It gives entitlement to no one. It respects no genders, no age, no politicians, no celebrities, no Prime Ministers and no Prince; it makes everyone feel vulnerable. And it makes us realize who really are the important people in our communities, in our cities, in our countries, in our planet. These people don’t stay home too; they are out there, for us.

In the deeper compartment of our brains, we have now discerned and have become aware that the folks who are doing their best to keep our towns and villages from sinking, the characters who are performing their assigned roles to make a difference in our lives, and the ones whose very existence are pivotal to our health and safety, …

… are NOT the celebrities we watch and admire in big movies and soap operas; they are NOT the super athletes we applaud; they are NOT the politicians we regularly see making speeches on TV; they are NOT the popular Life Coaches who hold events and bombard us with invitations to see them; they are NOT concert artists; they are NOT the overrated business people; they don’t fall in the category of Rich and Famous, and sadly they are also NOT the people we give even half our attention every day.

They are our Frontliners and Sideliners (Nursing, Health Care, Medical staff), Village and Building Cleaners, Garbage/Rubbish Collectors, Grocery Workers and Market Vendors, Truck/Vehicle Drivers and Delivery Persons, Patrolmen and Security Guards, Farmers and Food People, and Hotline Services Workers for emergency cases. These are the people we need every day. They are here for us in this very challenging time.

These are the people who work without being noticed; they do their respective jobs without our applauses; they unceasingly give their services with or without crisis; they are here and there for us with or without the pandemic. Imagine our places and communities without them, and we probably would be in anxiety waiting for our tipping point.

Let’s thank and remember these real heroes and heroines. Never forget them.

And when this Covid-19 crisis is over (and it will be), let’s go out of our way to express our gratitude to them, let’s give them the attention they deserve, smile at them, have a little chat with them when our time allows, praise them for every small but good service they give, write about their challenges and successes, and most of all - recognize their importance in our lives.

The world will be so much better when people who matter are appreciated. They are the ones who matter.

(Note: Photos are courtesy of Cebu Daily News and The Register NZ)