COVID-19 through the eyes of a child

A five-year-old girl who can barely spell words on her own was able to write the words NO COVID19 on a whiteboard without any help.

She wrote COVID19 two more times on a piece of paper and crossed them out, as if saying, STOP COVID19.

She went on to draw three bottles which she colored green, yellow and the last one, different hues.

When asked what her drawing was all about, she said the bottles are supposedly medicines to fight the coronavirus disease that made her stop going to school.

"Will the potion work, mom? I hope it works," the little girl said, brimming with hope.

After all, that's how it has always been in fairy tales — magic happens and in the blink of an eye, every problem, every misery, every evil spell is gone.

I want to tell the little girl, "The real world doesn't work that way, honey."  But I couldn't, I shouldn't. The little girl has to keep her faith alive.

And so she went on with her masterpiece, put a check on the bottles as if saying a cure has been found.

At the bottom of the page is a drawing of a mother and a child —smiling, happily holding hands together —and with a fervent wish for the day to come when they can both go out and enjoy the sunshine together again.

 

That five-year-old girl is my daughter, Rafa.

At times I think about how cruel the world can be to someone as fragile and vulnerable as a child.

Children sometimes are left with no choice but to think way beyond their years, try to comprehend and give meaning to what's happening around them.

It's hard to make a five-year-old understand why classes have to suddenly stop.  She misses her classmates and teachers so much.

Trying to let her understand what the virus is all about and why people have to keep distance from each other, I made her watch a film.

But instead of finding answers, more questions came.

Even wearing a face mask was something I felt I needed to explain. She knows the piece of cloth, which comes too precious and rare these days, feels alien. It's just not part of the face.

The day after the government announced the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, we made a dash to the supermarket to buy various stuff that we will eat, use and keep for the rainy days.

When she asked what was going on, all I could reply was, "It's the coronavirus."

She hugged herself in fear, didn't touch anything because that's what the doctors on TV said. She called me in a panicky voice as if she was about to cry. 

I'm a journalist by profession and every day, my daughter has to live with the reality that I need to go out while most people stay home.

Every day, I walk to the door with heavy steps as I hear her cries. How I wish no child ever had to see this painful reality.

Scientists are racing against time to find a cure for COVID-19 and stop the pandemic and deaths all over the world.

Back in our little corner of the universe is a little girl intently praying that I go home each day free from the disease.  

Every night she shows me her drawings, her eyes brimming with hope that her magic potion would break the evil spell.

I'd like to share the same faith she exudes, because in the eyes of a child, nothing is ever impossible with God.

I wish someone will find a cure and do it fast, so that every child can have her happily ever after.

(Bernadette Reyes is a Senior Correspondent and News Anchor of GMA News) —LDF/KG, GMA News