FRONTLINERS, EVERYDAY HEROES

Through adversity, our true character appears.  It seems today that we are in the age of heroes.  In the midst of this global pandemic, we live with the feeling of uncertainty of what the future holds, the fear of infection and sickness, the panic over the lack of food and supplies, and even helplessness with being stuck at home with limited resources.  Despite this, incredibly, there are others who have chosen to help their fellow Filipinos in need. They are also people just like us, they are the heroes of this terrible pandemic, they are our frontliners.

Recent reports say that there are now over 1.8 million confirmed cases worldwide. In the Philippines, we have over five thousand confirmed infections and over 300 virus-related deaths.   Sadly, the numbers are expected to increase even more in the coming days with more tests being done.  It is a dangerous and scary world that we all face. It’s a dangerous and scary world that our frontliners face head on, every single day.

You see them every day on the news, social media, and even around the neighborhood.  We hear the stories of their heroic actions as they navigate through the challenges the virus brings such as caring for the sick in overcrowded hospitals, lack of personnel, and limited personal protective equipment.  We may even see them distribute relief goods, monitor checkpoints, and keep the peace to limit the spread of the virus.

However, there are frontliners who may not make the headlines as much, but play an important role in keeping our society functional nonetheless.  They, too, expose themselves to the dangers of infection.  They, too, work tirelessly every day despite the lack of public transport.  They, too, prioritize others ahead of themselves.  It’s high time that we finally recognize some of the unsung heroes and thank them when upon encounter during these times:

Grocery staffs and clerks – They tirelessly restock the shelves of our essential supplies and groceries.  They also have to deal with panicking and even rude customers looking for out-of-stock items.

Bank employees – Without them, ATMs and bank services are would not be available.  Because of them, we can send money to our families and withdraw cash for food, groceries and bills.

Restaurant staff and delivery riders – Preparing thousands of take-out and delivery orders each day, they are probably one of the most important “support” frontliners for people too busy to prepare their own meals in the hospitals, checkpoints, and even those quarantined at home.

Pharmacists and drugstore staff – They actually complete and fulfill the healthcare ecosystem circle by making sure we are able to buy the medicines and vitamins we need to stay healthy and free from sickness.

So, thank you to all the frontliners for your bravery, your dedication, and your sacrifice.  We pray for your health and safety during this time of crisis.

In Generika Drugstore, we are extremely proud of our pharmacists and pharmacy assistants, together with our backend warehouse operations, who have shown their dedication to serve when it comes to the country’s need of quality and affordable healthcare services. In answering the public’s health needs, they remain not only our Kaagapay in making quality medicine and service accessible to the Filipino, but also our Kaagapay in fighting the pandemic.

So rest assured, when it comes to affordable and quality healthcare… Sa Generika, May K Ka!