Coping Amidst the Pandemic

Volume 2, Issue No. 2

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . .

 Our latest as of Tuesday, July 21, 2020 

~  A semblance of normalcy appears on the horizon amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Toronto is on stage 2 reopening, but with a reminder to practice physical distancing, wear masks, frequent hand washing, among the health and safety protocols to be observed. When COVID invaded, we resorted to practical measures to cope with the stress, such as backyard gardening to raise vegetables and fruits to complement what's available in the supermarket. Within weeks, we have an abundance of items needed for a healthy meal.

                                       . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

RELIEVING STRESS THROUGH GARDENING 

Feasting on Home-Grown Produce

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. ” - Alfred Austin

TORONTO - These days, we're feasting on organics - our own local produce - from the backyard garden we fashioned from patches of grasses, weeds, shrubs, and walkways that had been once beautifully landscaped fitting a quiet and relaxing lawn. 

The unwelcome arrival of the novel coronavirus in January has dramatically changed our way of life. The invisible invader has held us hostage since then. Only a vaccine, yet to be found, could set us free.

In the meantime, we could also live with it by carefully observing and following health and safety protocols put in place, such as wearing face masks, practicing physical distancing, frequent hand washing, avoiding large crowds, etc.

The disease that the virus causes, COVID-19, continues to claim lives and infect people on a global scale. In this capital of Ontario province, Canada's largest city, the situation stays fluid. (Full report at: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/).

Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health, reports that there are now 15,144 cases in the city, an increase of 107 cases since July 10, 2020. The death toll is at 1,137 as of this Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Overall, Health Canada reports that Canada has 111,299 cases, 97,566 recovered, and 8,859 deaths.

The COVID invasion remains a cautionary tale. It is a reminder of the fragility of life, of man's vulnerability.

So, the usual gatherings of family, friends, and neighbours have been discouraged as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the disease. Our movements have been restricted to the most basic, i.e. to get food supplies from grocers without resorting to panic-buying.

There have been some relaxations put in place. In fact, Toronto is on stage 2 reopening, which means residents can now visit parks and community centres and can now enjoy outdoor dining. 

When COVID was at its peak and isolation a healthy recourse, we turned our attention to backyard gardening. It's a comforting break from working from home or from just sitting and watching the news or from walking back and forth within the limited confines of the house.

We cultivated the lawn, replaced grass with a raised garden, and planted seeds of the different varieties of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs. (Related video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQUTSkFSR4).

Small miracles do happen. In a matter of weeks, the yard of grass, weeds, and shrubs has transformed itself into a rich source of food. There's an abundance of eggplant, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, bell pepper, basil, mint, chili, calamansi, among others. The old apple and plum trees are bearing fruits now.

On the first day of harvest, we went Italian for lunch and dinner. The next day, the menu was Mexican, basically tacos and burritos. The following day, it's Filipino food, actually pork sinigang (soured by calamansi) that had more eggplant, broccoli, and taro. The food cycle will continue until we've exhausted the produce.

All the food preparations relied on what we could harvest from the garden. Prior to this newfound pastime, vegetables used in Filipino cuisine are regularly bought from supermarkets. We cared little about how much we paid; it's the convenience of having them at a moment's need.

The pandemic changed that, personally for us. Raising vegetables and fruits in the backyard undoubtedly saves money, however little, and offers a delightful and teachable moment for everyone, especially for kids. It's time spent away from electronic gadgets.      

For days now, vegetables dominate our diet. I surmise that before summer is over in two months, we will have apples, pineapples, and plums for dessert. (Copyright 2020. All Rights Reserved).